It's better if a domain will be provided for this project and not a shared forum. Plus we may need permission for Microsoft if we will share the source code with all coders in internal development forum. I can undestend that Win98 is not supported anymore but everytime we recompile the files with VC9 and new res files we add new features that come from a supported OS.

This post has been edited by puntoMX: Apr 19 2008, 01:35 PM

Do you think M$ cares about what we do here? This forum could've been shut down a long time ago if it was so. The code that we are adding isn't all our property, indeed, but we do play an important part in the process of implementing those features.

We are not making profit out of the code we adapt to 9x from XP. We are simply providing a more enjoyable computing experience to people who are stuck with these versions of windoze for some reason or another. So i don't see where the permission would be needed. Besides, if we ask for permission and M$ does not allow us, then will we stop? From my point of view it's best to just keep up with what we are doing without attracting too much unwanted attention. Ie no letters to M$.

Nobody can forbid us to install our own code to win9x. in that case it will be illegal to install any third party applications on their system and that is nonsense

that means that we can use code which is opensource or our own to improve functionality of the win9x. and when we are talking about our code or opensource ... there is a lot of ways how to create a single program, or subsystem file. maybe there should be time to create completely new system core files fully compatible with old ones...

but i didnt want to discuss about legality of our work here. i am just asking if people here are willing to work together... rest shall be solved then...

also i dont belive that our work will threathen MS in any way now. since 96 percent of all computers is using Windows, and win9x users are so few as linux home users...

Too late for that , but we try to do our best to keep the 98 section up...

Hmmm, if only you knew. With upcoming complete installs like Ubuntu and Debian, and projects to play even the DirectX based games on them, more people have gone from Windows to Linux while 98 users will be less, not more. Please do not compare 98 with Linux .

it it hard to compare windows with linux. for now. but lets compare dos and freedos and see whats right now happening with win9x

linux has been here for years, but i can hardly tell if it has attracted users, mainly gamers, even when there is wine... people are just lazy when it comes to build up their own home pc - not only hardware, but just every sw detail...

Maybe, but I still think that we need a domain with a forum and a download manager both with internal (team only) and public sections. Then we can open a topic for every win98 file in the internal section and start the review.

This post has been edited by OryNider: Apr 19 2008, 11:50 PM

We are not importing any code from any of M$ windows edition,so I don't think that any permission is required from Microsoft.We can also use some of the code from Reactos by just using there copyright and trademark logo.

This post has been edited by specialbao1: Apr 20 2008, 02:29 AM

You (and not only you, so it's my fault) misunderstood the project attitude.

The "Open Sourcing Windows 9x" idea just wanted to collect indipendent softwares then put all unofficial patchers (and not only) together around an open development project.

BTW, that's the past. I also received critiques around the idea of "substitution" instead of improving.

Now i, as many other should do if we wanna be a team, can change my mind about it.

Last but not least, as already suggested my other 3ad, i suggest to adopt a cool name for the project. (i suggested to adopt the GNUWin, an adbandoned free software compilation for Windows project that is "currently without a leading team.")

I can take care of that.




GNUWin. Alright, that sounds better than implementing the ROS shell.

This post has been edited by Th3_uN1Qu3: Apr 20 2008, 04:55 AM

Substitution VS Improving

these processes have their advantages and disadvatages - in way of programming and also in way of law. i personally prefer improving because it can be applied as a free "Unofficial 3rd party support" of software - in this case operating system. in this case we can support people which have original win9x and we can redistribute some files which were included with these systems.

gnuwin seems to be an interesting project, and partially i have developed similar collection in "Immolator" project, but i dont want to focus on apps as a final solution.

Linux greatest advantage is evolution. few years ago a thought that it will be impossible to run there win32 apps, with DX or other MS apis. today are many games supported and also the hardware support by developers is improving.

Win9x is facing fact that only few diehard users are searching a practical application for this system, but mostly they forget the fact that evolution of the system must go on. Yesterday i was stunned when i read that many opensource projects which also provide win32 versions have stopped win9x compatibility, just because they dont know about projects here.

example:
i discovered that latest Haali Renderer is technically best video displaying interface i ever met. it doesnt use CPU, but it works with GPU and image quality is really supreme. But i was disappointed when in version from november 2007 the creator of Haali media splitter stopped his win9x support.

so there are several goals:
- update windows dlls to be more compatible with newer apps
- persuarde some opensource leaders to create win9x releases
- or pick put the source code and create these releases and add them to win9x update package
- get better hardware support (drivers) for new devices - has been partially reached with Nvidia cards, but the fight for compatibility is only in beggining.

Win98SE is now not same system i have installed three years ago, and i would like to see that the improvement will go on further.

The reactos source code is freely available.
And can you tell me under which license has reactos been released

It's GPL if i'm not mistaken.

Seems to me that the first thing we need is a place to come together and share ideas, data and the actual files and code, a place that's entirely under our control. The details can be dealt with afterwards. Basically, we all want the same thing, to keep using 9X and to keep making it better. If the problem is paying for or setting up a server or paying for the internet service, lets figure out what and how much we need and get it done.

Has anyone contacted LLXX to see if she'd be interested in joining this project?
Rick

I told you, i can take care of the server. Just let me know and i'll give you all the info you need. I've heard a lot of stuff about LLXX too, i agree that someone should contact her as well.

This post has been edited by Th3_uN1Qu3: Apr 21 2008, 03:09 AM

LLXX migrate to LINUX....

I'm coding for phpBB2 and 3, and for a CMS that work with both, so if I can be any help just ask.