The ReactOS project has one simple goal: to create an Open Source implementation of Windows. It borrows heavily from the WINE project for obvious reasons, but despite this, it is a stand alone OS. Since the last time we covered it, development of ReactOS has progressed very nicely. It now supports several components of OpenOffice, Firefox, and even Remote Desktop sessions.

The OS is still in Alpha state, making it more of a developer's plaything than anything else for the time being. However, anyone can try out premade images from the official site for giggles and grins. If you're not brave enough to try it out yourself, the site has plenty of screenshots as well.

If you haven't heard of ReactOS, here's the 411: ReactOS is an open source operating system intended to be compatible with (and as similar as possible to) Windows XP. The goal is to allow people to run WIndows apps as well as Windows device drivers without actually using Windows. The project has made considerable progress since its inception, but in case, like me, you've never had the opportunity to try it, NeoSmart has a lengthy review of ReactOS. It's mostly positive and includes anecdotes like, "Using ReactOS was a breeze, and once it's complete we believe a normal non-geek user would be very hard-pressed to r Not so good is ReactOS' weak TCP/IP stack. Much of ReactOS' is based on WINE, which provides its Windows compatibility, and as a result it's only as successful as WINE in running Windows apps. While you read the review, take a look at NeoSmart's ReactOS screenshot gallery, or head to the ReactOS web site for more information.

[Via Slashdot]