[PLUG] ReactOS project verses Linux+WINE...

[Someone]

The ReactOS people claim that they will come out with a free
reimplementation of Windows NT comparable to XP and later that will be
compatible with existing Windows software.  Sounds great, except the
Linux+WINE approach to running these programs and the LUK project seem
to be poised to produce results faster.

The problem is, it is hard to write an entire operating system and the
supporting utilities from scratch.  I proposed releasing patches for XP
that replace individual DLLS so that eventually all of the proprietary
code is replaced and you end up with a free version of Windows.  The
advantage over what the ReactOS folks are doing is that they would
stop releasing something that doesn't work.  The downside is that the
work won't be freely available until they replace all of Microsoft's
code so that users of the code don't have to acquire a license.

The ReactOS people give up immediately on the idea of patching Windows
despite the potential that has to help people now.  The claim they make
is that it is illegal to replace bits and pieces of Windows with open
source code.  Can Microsoft really go after someone if they legally
acquire Windows XP and replace the kernel with an open source
reimplementation?  Would Microsoft even dare to do that?  I believe that
the DMCA allows reverse engineering for the purpose of ensuring
interoperability and that you can even share improvements so long as
you don't profit from them.

What will Linux+WINE or LUK not support and is this anything worth
worrying about?

I admit that Word 2003 doesn't work right at times in WINE and that 
Warcraft II BNE runs too slowly, but I've just given two examples of
software that you don't even think about running in ReactOS.

Has anyone here had problems with ReactOS moderators and developers?
The group seems like a pack of thugs at times.