ReactOS - Alternative to Windos but not Linux...

[SensoVision]

Have just looking for information on GNU's site and found about ReactOS which seems to be very interesting project as it's what many people who don't like Windows are looking in Linux but can't find.

Here is quote from the site:

ReactOS® is an advanced free open source operating system providing a ground-up implementation of a Microsoft Windows® XP compatible operating system. ReactOS aims to achieve complete binary compatibility with both applications and device drivers meant for NT and XP operating systems, by using a similar architecture and providing a complete and equivalent public interface.

http://www.reactos.org

It's still Alpha which means that it need a lot of work before it could be used in working environment but if you have some spare time and wish to use free OS instead of paying to MS than consider helping to this project in some way.

I'm already downloading LiveCD which is pretty small(24mb only) so I'll check it out myself soon.

[Andy]

A concern I have with open source software is security. For example, a download site could host a compromised version of the software. With an operating system, security is a major consideration.

So, I think that there has to be a 3rd party service that confirms that this kind of software is secured and safe to use for e-commerce transactions and logging in to password-protected pages.

[SensoVision]

A concern I have with open source software is security. For example, a download site could host a compromised version of the software. With an operating system, security is a major consideration.

Do you have same concern about OS and it's parts used on hosting servers? As frequently you trust much more confidential information to them than store on local PC e.g. credit card...
Regarding faulty and malicious code there are a lot of people who is testing open source software so if someone would try to use code for own purposes he could be easily excluded from development team.

So, I think that there has to be a 3rd party service that confirms that this kind of software is secured and safe to use for e-commerce transactions and logging in to password-protected pages.

what about GNU, are this organization would work as trusted 3rd party? As they are recommending this OS.

[Andy]

Good answers. I will not be the only person with these concerns so it's good to ask the questions.