Basically it’s an operating system that uses a Linux kernel, the WINE compatibility layer for Windows applications, and the ReactOS userland, plus a few other odds and ends to let you run Win32 apps.

Those old CD games that have been sitting on your shelf for eternity? Linux can run them.

From Tuesday, Microsoft will no longer issue security updates or provide support for Windows 98 and Windows ME, which are still being used by more than 50 million people. Eight years after launching ...