New to ReactOS

[Redefined Horizons]

I have just migrated from Windows to Linux, and I am very curious about
ReactOS. I have a couple of newbie questions I was hoping I could get
answered. (I have already checked the developer and user FAQs on the ReactOS
website.)
 [1] Is ReactOS built on a Unix core, or is it a new operating sytem from
the ground up?
 [2] Can you dual boot with ReactOS and a Linux operating system like
Debian? If you can, is there a place where I can find instructions on how to
do so?
 [3] Does an application that runs on Microsoft Windows have to be ported
before it can be run on ReactOS? Can I try installing the program to see how
it works?
 Thanks,
 Scott Huey

[Brandon Turner]

Redefined Horizons wrote:
> I have just migrated from Windows to Linux, and I am very curious 
> about ReactOS. I have a couple of newbie questions I was hoping I 
> could get answered. (I have already checked the developer and user 
> FAQs on the ReactOS website.)
>
> [1] Is ReactOS built on a Unix core, or is it a new operating 
> sytem from the ground up?

Ground up to follow NT.
> [2] Can you dual boot with ReactOS and a Linux operating system like 
> Debian? If you can, is there a place where I can find instructions on  
> how to do so?

Yes, you can use grub and chainload freeloader.  Unforunatly i cant find 
the link that tells how to do this anymore.
> [3] Does an application that runs on Microsoft Windows have to be 
> ported before it can be run on ReactOS? Can I try installing the 
> program to see how it works?

No need to port, just try to install it and see if it works.
> Thanks,

ReactOS isnt useable as a primary operating system and is mostly just 
for testing and developing at its current state.

Hope that clears up any questions you had.
> Scott Huey

Brandon
> ros-general mailing list
> [e-mail]
> http://www.reactos.org/mailman/listinfo/ros-general

[Ged]

Redefined Horizons wrote:
> I have just migrated from Windows to Linux, and I am very curious 
> about ReactOS.

What were your reasons for changing?
> [1] Is ReactOS built on a Unix core, or is it a new operating 
> sytem from the ground up?

It's a complete operating system with it's own kernel. The operating 
system design follows the Windows NT5 design, ultimately meaning it will 
be 100% binary compatable with windows applications and drivers.
Something Linux does not, and will never be able to offer.
> [2] Can you dual boot with ReactOS and a Linux operating system like 
> Debian? If you can, is there a place where I can find instructions on  
> how to do so?

Yes, you can use a regular boot loader like grub  to boot ReactOS. 
Details in our wiki.
> [3] Does an application that runs on Microsoft Windows have to be 
> ported before it can be run on ReactOS? Can I try installing the 
> program to see how it works?

No. The aim is full compatibility. You will be able to take any product 
built for windows and install it onto ReactOS.
> Thanks,
>
> Scott Huey

Ged.

[KJKHyperion]

Redefined Horizons wrote:
> [1] Is ReactOS built on a Unix core, or is it a new operating 
> sytem from the ground up?

ReactOS is all-original, written from the ground up as a clone of the 
Windows design
> [2] Can you dual boot with ReactOS and a Linux operating system like 
> Debian? If you can, is there a place where I can find instructions on  
> how to do so?

yes, see 
http://www.reactos.org/wiki/index.php/HOWTO/boot_FreeLoader_from_GRUB
> [3] Does an application that runs on Microsoft Windows have to be 
> ported before it can be run on ReactOS?

No
> Can I try installing the program to see how it works?

Yes

[Redefined Horizons]

Wow! Great news!
 Now let me ask about volunteering to help with the project. I'd like to get
some experience programming in assembly language and/or machine code.
 Is there any need for this on the ReactOS project? Can I start on some
simple assembly language programming tasks for ReactOS and have someone that
can guide me through the tough spots?
 Let me know if I can help in this area.
 Scott

On 10/17/05, KJKHyperion [e-mail] wrote:
> Redefined Horizons wrote:
> > [1] Is ReactOS built on a Unix core, or is it a new operating
> > sytem from the ground up?
>
> ReactOS is all-original, written from the ground up as a clone of the
> Windows design
> > [2] Can you dual boot with ReactOS and a Linux operating system like
> > Debian? If you can, is there a place where I can find instructions on
> > how to do so?
>
> yes, see
> http://www.reactos.org/wiki/index.php/HOWTO/boot_FreeLoader_from_GRUB
> > [3] Does an application that runs on Microsoft Windows have to be
> > ported before it can be run on ReactOS?
>
> No
> > Can I try installing the program to see how it works?
>
> Yes
> _______________________________________________
> ros-general mailing list
> [e-mail]
> http://www.reactos.org/mailman/listinfo/ros-general

[Ged]

Redefined Horizons wrote:
> Now let me ask about volunteering to help with the project. I'd like 
> to get some experience programming in assembly language and/or machine 
> code.
>
> Is there any need for this on the ReactOS project? Can I start on some 
> simple assembly language programming tasks for ReactOS and have 
> someone that can guide me through the tough spots?

There is very little requirement for asm in ReactOS. It's referenced 
from within the C files every so often, and our kernel contains some 
asm, but the whole project is mainly C.

[Redefined Horizons]

Thanks for the info Ged.
 Landon

On 10/17/05, Ged [e-mail] wrote:
> Redefined Horizons wrote:
> > Now let me ask about volunteering to help with the project. I'd like
> > to get some experience programming in assembly language and/or machine
> > code.
> >
> > Is there any need for this on the ReactOS project? Can I start on some
> > simple assembly language programming tasks for ReactOS and have
> > someone that can guide me through the tough spots?
>
> There is very little requirement for asm in ReactOS. It's referenced
> from within the C files every so often, and our kernel contains some
> asm, but the whole project is mainly C.
>
> ros-general mailing list
> [e-mail]
> http://www.reactos.org/mailman/listinfo/ros-general