RE: ReactOS, a new OpenSource NT compatible OS ( WWW.REACTOS.COM )

[waltert3@postmaster.co.uk]

To whomever this concerns:

          The other day I was browsing a listing of alternative operating
systems when I came across ReactOS an
opensource OS who's claim to fame is complete NT compatibility.
At first I shrugged this off and went on my merry way but
later on something compelled me to visit their website at
www.reactos.com. So I did, little to my suprise they were
already into kernel development. I decided to download the
current alpha level code and try it out with a few NT drivers
and text-mode apps(they still are a ways off from the GUI).
Well to my suprise the Alpha shell which they were sporting
worked great. These past few days I have been playing around
in my head with this. I truly believe the opensource community
should flock to this and embrace it. With the right individuals and
organizations behind this it may very well do for Windows users what Linux did
for unix users. The results of a completely
opensource variant of NT is staggering and would be the back breaker for all
those Microsoft chronies still dominating the software market. Not to mention it
would be a much deserved blow against Microsoft itself. In addition since it's
opensource ReactOS could be ported to any number of machines giving Intel
a swift kick in the butt as well. The market needs this kind of direct
competition towards the WinTel dominance which will peak
by next year with Windows 2000 and the Merced.

I believe organizations like your own are in a position of power
to lead this kind of revolt against Microsoft dominance. When
Caldera took up OpenDOS admitedly it was at a time when DOS was
being phased out for Newer operating systems and thus did not
pick-up the momentum Caldera had hoped for. But, ReactOS represents a whole new
ball game and approach to opensource. It
is a variance on a newer OS (Windows NT)that is by all means allready extremely
popular in the commercial community. Thus
ReactOS allready has quite a large user market in one respect.
Being that as it may signifies that only development is standing
in ReactOS' way of gaining momentum.

          Of course there are those of you who ask why don't I develop this
(some may think I'm part of the core
project). So Let me set the record straight. I am currently
looking into developing ReactOS from several different angles.
But knowing how competitive and proud the opensource community
is of it's accomplishments I wanted to share the new found information. Second,
I am in no way part of the core project.
I am completely independent and will approach this matter as such.

Thank you for your consideration. If you feel this letter was a
waste I deeply appologize.

Sincerely Yours,
Walter Thomas
waltert3@toughguy.net

"He said he never saw a Window crash. So I turned on his PC and boy you should
have seen the look on his face." - A Window repairman talking about his new
aprentice.

Sir Walter Raleigh
waltert3@postmaster.co.uk