David Hinz wrote:
Well, I didn't say our goal should be hurting or destroying Microsoft, but as far as I know our goal is to create a working Windows NT replacement. And that means, that we actually want to replace Windows. And this is the point, where Google enters the stage, they want MS to earn as less money as possible, so that MS isn't too dangerous for Google. And how could you hinder Microsoft from earning money? Right, you 'just' have to steal them their platform they need for their business, Windows and Office (Microsoft knows, why they are producing the Xbox, it's a completely different business, so if the Windows and Office business goes down, they make their money with the Xbox). And what would be the best thing to pull people away from Windows and Office? Right again, it's something that is compatible and similiar, at the moment this would be OpenOffice and ReactOS. And as I mentioned in a previous mail, they are actually working together with Sun, in order to support OpenOffice.
I think, it would be hard to convince Google, but I see a chance for a very close relationship with Google, as both sides would profit of it a lot.
What you're saying doesn't make sense.
They're selling the new X-Box under cost to get a foothold in the market. Office 12 is, from what I hear, going to be a major innovative and I'm guessing they're going to get a lot of sales from it - every sale is pure profit ( minus their R&D ), whereas the X-Boxes aren't even selling for *hardware cost*. They're *hoping* to make up the loss through game sales, but game development is a tricky business.
I don't think any of us envision ReactOS replacing Windows. If anything, ReactOS will make Windows stronger:
1) ReactOS is already being used by driver writers to better understand the system they are ultimately programming for.
2) ReactOS is already being used by some universities in classes about the Windows architecture.
3) ReactOS will prevent some from migrating to Linux - this means more people staying within the Windows "system".
4) ReactOS will likely attract many who currently use Windows without paying for it - i.e. it will likely *reduce* piracy, allowing MS to concentrate more on it's paying customers.
I don't actually see Google being interested in ReactOS - why would they want to compete with Microsoft on MS's terms? ReactOS's success is based on the Win32 foundation, and will likely always be tied to it.
Anyways, whether or not Google is interested in ReactOS or not, their reasons for it ( or not ) are theirs alone. Anything else is speculation. Attributing malice towards MicroSoft by Google is unhealthy, and possibly libelous if not actually true. Let's talk about facts instead, like the fact that Google is willing to put money into Wine to get it's apps working on that platform. In essence, Google is already donating to us by doing this. Perhaps they'd be willing to help fund us directly. That's something we can talk to them about.
If we're going to speculate, speculate on how ReactOS can increase a potential investor's revenue. Anything else is worthless speculation, IMHO. This could even apply to MS. Anybody have any contacts at MS that might be willing to help ReactOS? As I said, I believe firmly that ReactOS can only benefit MS, and I hope they see it one day soon.
Finally, people are complaining this list is being abused. Ros-dev is about "development". This discussion needs to be moved to the forums, or maybe ros-general.