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OSFree is an open source alternative to OS/2. As IBM could not open source OS/2 because of over 300 licensed code bases that went into developing it, they instead spund it off to Serenity systems to create an OEM version of OS/2 named eComStation. But OSFree is an attempt to build an open sourced OS/2 from scratch to work with MS-DOS, OS/2 1.X command, OS/2 2.0 3.0 and 4.0 (Warp and Merlin), and even some eComStation compatibility. I am not sure if they will try a WIN-OS2 substation or use ODIN to run 16 bit and 32 bit Windows applications. ODIN was the OS/2 version of WINE.

OSFree hasn't reached Alpha phase yet, but they are working on creating a LiveCD version that boots, and a version of OSFree that runs in Linux but runs OS/2 programs inside of Linux, like that Borg or Ferengi version of OS/2 ran under Windows to run OS/2 programs in a different OS.

Why has Slashdot almost ignored AROS Amiga Research OS? It has gone beyond what HaikuOS has and has had a LiveCD and VMWare image for a long time now. It is based on AmigaOS 3.1 APIs and written from scratch, IIRC AmigaOS 4.X was using AROS code to build it on. So while it is like an older AmigaOS 3.1 version it can run in a virtual machine or LiveCD or even a version that runs inside of Linux to run AROS programs. What Amiga Fan that runs Linux wouldn't want an AROS subsystem? All AROS lacks is decent applications, but that is being worked on with the AROS bounty system.

FreeDOS is a MS-DOS replacement. It can run the FreeGEM replacement GUI for Windows 3.X (basically a 16 bit GUI that runs GEM programs over DOS) or OpenGEM. But most think OpenGEM is the better of the 16 bit GUIS for DOS.

ReactOS is based on WINE to become a stand alone OS that is Windows XP/2003 compatible. It hasn't reached Beta stage yet, and lacks proper driver support, but it can be run via VmWare virtual machines or a LiveCD. The Virtual machine comes bundled with QEMU available from the downloads section and it is good to download and try out. It doesn't support modern 32 bit Windows programs but can be made to run the older ones that don't require .Net libraries or the BITS service. In about five years time it should become stable enough to reach the Beta stage and support most drivers and be able to be installed to an actual machine. By the time it reaches 1.0 status, Microsoft will have abandoned Windows XP and most likely have Windows 8 or 9 with a Virtual PC mode to run XP software like Windows 7 does. The Windows Legacy Software is not going away, and Microsoft proved that with the XP Virtual Machine for Windows 7 Pro and up users. Many software companies cannot afford to upgrade their software to work on Windows Vista or above and many small businesses have their old business software written for DOS, 16 bit Windows, or Windows XP or lower, and cannot afford to buy new machines that run Windows Vista or Windows 7 and lose compatibility with their legacy Windows software for business.

Check out this OpenGEM project maybe you can run it under DosBox or some other emulator?

It is also another open source project OpenGEM based on the original DRI GEM. GEM was a Windows like 16 bit interface for DR-DOS and MS-DOS like Windows 3.X was. Apple sued them and they had to change their look a feel, and Atari used GEM as a GUI for TOS.

as OpenGEM is still available and is being worked on to make it 32 bits. So your DOS machines can use OpenGEM instead of Windows 3.11 if you want to keep a GUI on them.

And here's what you ordered: OpenGEM http://gem.shaneland.co.uk/index.html

It is a clone of GEM from the late 80's early 90's. Now you have no more excuses!

The thing that really bites about the article, and the reason I disagree with it, is attitude. The open source world (by and large) is about sharing intellectual horsepower. We make something, we share it. Some guy can make it better. We can all get the added value of development. Coherent groups create open source software products (yes, I said products) like Firefox or OpenOffice, and individuals go and toy with the code.

The Microsoft presentation says something very different.

"Matusow said opening up software can add value, "but you need to understand why you want to open certain software. We are building intellectual property into software and trying to sell it. We throw code over the wall for the community to build on it.""

They throw code over the wall?

It's very patronizing. Instead of regarding the people out there as brainpower with a positive contribution, they regard their internal direction as higher than external voices. I guess this is why ultimately Microsoft is dropping the ball. They just don't listen. You NEED to listen. The world has changed since Win95, or even WinXP. We need more, we need it faster, and we need it to work with the Mac laptop and Linux server.

Basically, the surge in open source is driven by the fact that it's answering so many of the productivity, communication and search questions of the marketplace. Even Apple realize that, and this is why their baby (MacOS X) is largely available as Darwin (open OS code).

Just my two cents.

Shane Coughlan
Project Leader
Mobility http://mobility.shaneland.co.uk/

Hi there!

Mobility Email is based on John Haller's excellent PortableThunderbird. There are some differences though. We're actually a "fork" from PortableThunderbird with Enigmail/GnuPG. That's security software to provide encryption and signing on emails. We have also preloaded extensions to allow you to access webmail services like Hotmail, Yahoo!, Lycos and MailDotCom.

Basically, we're like PortableThunderbird but...
  - We have encryption software included
  - We have webmail extensions included
  - We have extra documentation

Big things are coming up in our next beta. Not just more documentation (thank goodness!), but also some interesting encryption stuff. Mediacrypt, the people who own IDEA, have given us permission to distribute it legally for free (non-commercial) use. We're also preparing a rather nifty way to secure your profile on the move, and designing an even cleverer remote backup system.

There are currently six people on the team trying to make this stuff better. One person (me) is from the company underwriting the future of the project and related family (other applications will be released shortly), and the rest of the people are great guys from other places in the open source community helping out.

Hope that answers your question.

Shane
http://mobility.shaneland.co.uk/

PS: We're working on the cross-platform thing, but we're still in alpha on Mac, and Linux is still in the planning stage.

Hi there

I've working on a project designed to bring together various open source software applications, add useful extensions, add documentation, and provide both free and commercial support packages. One of the things we're working on at the moment is Mobility Email (http://mobility.shaneland.co.uk/ ), a portable version of Thunderbird.

I believe that we can find a way to balance a genuine open development model (where source code is altered with a community, people share ideas, and solutions are evolved rather than dictated) along with a combined free and commercial (business) support model.

It takes a level head, and planning with realistic goals. We're working with Firefox, Thunderbird, OpenOffice, NVU, Gaim and FileZilla. We're not trying to reinvent the wheel, but rather to create a unified (community) front that is sponsored by a company that will make money from passing on expert advice to companies who wish to adopt these technologies.

Regards

Shane Coughlan

Yes, as John says I'm trying to "de-geekify" the rather new field of portable/encrypted applications. Rip off is very much a relative term, especially in the opensource world. We build on what others do. My own part in this game is not that of brave programmer, but rather as a person who spends time configuring, testing, and distributing systems. Thankfully there are people like John creating great technologies, and with a little luck we can take them into the mainstream.

The PortableThunderbird launcher (with hooks for GnuPG) that is included with Mobility Email is the exact same one that John uses. The source code for the launcher can be obtained by contacting me. You can do so through the Mobility Email website at http://mobility.shaneland.co.uk/

To make Mobility more secure, we'd like to develop a system log-in application that encrypts your profile and email until you enter a password (as you can imagine, this would make losing your USB key with Mobility Email on it less of a problem).

BTW, a version of GEM still exists ... OpenGEM and GEMini. -jh

Interestingly, GEM is now freely available as OpenGEM available under the GPL license.

I wish someone could build a similar network in the US. An 8 or 16 bit machine powered by a GUI like Contiki or OpenGEM