Coffs Ex-Services Computer Club

Computerworld has an interesting overview of the new feature in Windows that no computer user has ever asked for: the ability for third parties to control what you can and can't do with your computer. This is a particular worry for Australian users, given that circumventing Digital Restrictions Management (DRM) systems is soon to become a crime in itself, regardless of whether you are doing so in order to facilitate another illegal activity (such as copyright infringement) or simply trying to watch a movie you legally acquired.

ReactOS is a re-implementation in free software of a Windows NT/2000/XP compatible operating system. Last time I looked at it, it had no GUI, but according to this review it appears to have advanced to a somewhat useable stage.

For those who have a niche application that ties them to Windows but want to move to a free operating system, or have been affected by the end-of-lifeing of Windows 98 and want to avoid the expense of a forced upgrade and wrestling with Windows Genuine Advantage, ReactOS could now be a viable solution.