I am no developer, so see my opinion as a User opinion. I think James Tabor is right. Being 100% compatible to the Windows Drivers already out there is very important. This is one thing ReactOS will be better than Linux, because Windows Driver Support is way better than for Linux. If NT Driver compatibility would fall, we would have nothing. Every driver would need a remake for ReactOS and persuading the people to do these would not be fun. Most very interesting Open Source Systems died because of two reasons: No Apps and No Drivers, keep this in mind. If there are ideas to optimize those parts of ReactOS, I think keeping compatibility is priority Nr. 1. All other, incompatible optimations could be added to ReactOS only mechanisms.
Sorry, that I disturbed you, but I just needed to say this
Bye