[dba-Tech] Microsoft or Linux

[Jim Lawrence]

Hi All:

As Microsoft starts looking and running more Linux applications, an alternation distro called ReactOS is now been made available, that runs Microsoft applications.

Now we will have Microsoft-Linux and ReactOS-Microsoft. ;-)

Here are the Distros specifications:
https://distrowatch.com/table.php?distribution=reactos

It comes in 32 and 64 bit versions and can run in both installed or Live modes. Interestingly, the OS was created in Russia but the product's most active developers come from everywhere in the world. See the project activity list of developers:

https://code.reactos.org/changelog/reactos

To prove it's versatility it can has a host of pre-installed an Adobe and Linux applications. The designers say it can run any Microsoft applications. So if security is important here is another tool for that purpose. So download your copy today. Its requirements are very modest; x86 processor, Pentium-class or newer, 96MB of RAM, 256MB recommended, x86 processor, Pentium-class or newer, 96MB of RAM, 256MB recommended, 650MB of free space minimum, 5GB+ recommended if you intend to do testing, VGA compatible graphics card, VESA BIOS 2.0+, 650MB of free space minimum, 5GB+ recommended if you intend to do testing, VGA compatible graphics card and VESA BIOS 2.0+

http://www.reactos.org/ ...and... http://www.reactos.org/gallery

All the above said ReactOS is not Linux or Unix core but used Windows NT architecture concepts in its design and is fully open-sourced. Here is a chance for a real deep-dive into how Microsoft has designed their system.

Quote:

"ReactOS is a free and open-source operating system based on the best design principles found in the Windows NT architecture. Written completely from scratch, ReactOS is not a Linux-based system and it shares none of the UNIX architecture. The main goal of the ReactOS project is to provide an operating system which is binary compatible with Windows. This will allow Windows applications and drivers to run as they would on a Windows system. Additionally, the look and feel of the Windows operating system is used, such that people accustomed to the familiar user interface of Windows would find using ReactOS straightforward. The ultimate goal of ReactOS is to allow people to use it as an alternative to Windows without the need to change software they are used to."

For any shop using Microsoft Windows, upgrading to ReactOS could be a huge savings in both upgrade costs and new hardware costs. The OS is also capable of installing popular Linux front-ends like GNome and KDE plasma.

Jim