为什么 ReactOS 的开发被低估了？
ReactOS是一个开源操作系统，旨在成为Windows的二进制兼容替代品。尽管已经存在超过二十年，但它距离主流使用仍然相去甚远。这引发了一个有趣的问题：为什么这样一个雄心勃勃且潜在有价值的项目相比其他开源操作系统的努力发展得如此缓慢？
我们已经看到几乎每个主要计算平台都有开源实现——从Unix到macOS，甚至包括一些冷门或过时的系统，如AmigaOS、BeOS和经典的Mac OS。DOS也有多个开源实现（如FreeDOS），甚至像DOSBox这样的模拟器也被广泛使用和维护。
然而，Windows——历史上使用最广泛的桌面操作系统，却没有完整、可行的开源替代品。ReactOS旨在填补这一空白，但其开发进展缓慢，只有少数活跃的贡献者。
如果考虑到为Windows编写的软件数量、它对计算机文化的影响以及其历史主导地位，你会期待ReactOS拥有数千名贡献者。然而，它却在维持一支小型开发团队方面苦苦挣扎。
是什么导致了这种差异？
是因为：
1. 技术复杂性
Windows NT的架构确实复杂，积累了数十年的兼容性层、未记录的API和专有驱动模型。但这并不能完全解释——其他复杂系统也成功被克隆。
2. 法律问题
实现Windows兼容性需要对专有API和行为进行逆向工程。虽然这通常是合法的，但会产生不确定性，可能会让贡献者感到畏惧。
3. 动态目标
Windows持续快速演变。与模拟一个固定的历史系统不同，ReactOS必须在保持向后兼容的同时追赶一个不断变化的目标。
4. 替代解决方案
Wine提供了Windows应用程序的兼容性，而无需完全替代操作系统。Linux为大多数程序员提供了更优越的开发环境。实际需求可能不足以证明付出巨大努力的必要性。
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ReactOS is an open-source operating system aiming to be a binary-compatible replacement for Windows. Despite being around for over two decades, it remains far from ready for mainstream use. That raises an interesting question: why is such an ambitious and potentially valuable project so underdeveloped compared to other open-source OS efforts?<p>We’ve seen open-source implementations of nearly every major computing platform — from Unix to macOS, and even obscure or obsolete systems like AmigaOS, BeOS, and classic Mac OS. DOS has multiple open-source implementations (like FreeDOS), and even emulators like DOSBox are widely used and maintained.<p>Yet Windows — the most widely used desktop OS in history — has no complete, viable open-source alternative. ReactOS aims to fill that gap, but its development moves at a glacial pace, with only a handful of active contributors.<p>If we consider the sheer volume of software written for Windows, the cultural impact it’s had on computing, and its historical dominance, you’d expect ReactOS to have thousands of contributors. Instead, it struggles to maintain a small team of developers.<p>What explains this discrepancy?<p>Is it:<p>1. Technical Complexity
Windows NT's architecture is genuinely complex, with decades of accumulated compatibility layers, undocumented APIs, and proprietary driver models. But this doesn't fully explain it—other complex systems have been successfully cloned.<p>2. Legal Concerns
Implementing Windows compatibility requires reverse engineering proprietary APIs and behaviors. While this is generally legal, it creates uncertainty that might discourage contributors.<p>3. Moving Target
Windows continues to evolve rapidly. Unlike emulating a fixed historical system, ReactOS must chase a moving target while maintaining backward compatibility.<p>4. Alternative Solutions
Wine provides Windows application compatibility without requiring a full OS replacement. Linux offers a superior development environment for most programmers. The practical need may not justify the enormous effort.