Check out my fonts article aswell, just like that one this one's updated whenever i feel like it.
Operating Systems - If You Wanna Live The Completely Free Life
ReactOS - Windows 9x
ReactOS is a open source operating system that aims to be the most similar to Windows, and as of right now, it's not doing a bad job at it. It's interface may immediately trigger your Windows 95/98 nostalgia, as most builds of the system look nearly identical to that of Windows 95. A great feature rarely found in libre operating system like this is the .EXE support - meaning it can run any Windows program you throw at it, at least if Windows can run it as well. With support for such a system specific file type in such a used system, it's no wonder programs rarely provide support for ReactOS and go with the flow.
I recommend it, and if it has a Windows XP theme too i'd buy it- and yes it does.
helloSystem (and any other open-source BSD) - Mac OS X
So sadly i couldn't really find a Mac clone like ReactOS, but i DID find the actual ancestor of Mac OS X! And yes, it's open source!
BSD is an operating system based on the likes of Unix. Originally it is source-available, and then open source, but the system was last updated in 1995, so if you want to have an actually updated one, then try (the most ironically named) FreeBSD. Aswell as being the base for the paid Mac OS X, you may have a little bit of code from it in your Windows installation too. Microsoft used at least part of the TCP/IP code in creating later versions of Windows. Also used in the operating system of Nintendo Switch and PlayStation 4. Even big companies can't resist open source code.
Anyways, helloSystem is YET ANOTHER BSD derivate that actually aims to look like Mac, and is not just a Mac ancestor. Likely not compatible, but gives a heavy Mac OS X vibe.
MS DOS is officially open source now
MS-DOS 1.25 and 2.0 have their official source code hosted on Microsoft's GitHub. All of the code is now under the MIT (OSI) license, meaning you can fork the project and even make your own free (maybe even paid) derivative.
If you're not convinced, don't bother; just try out FreeDOS! and speaking about that...
Software
Paint.net - MS Paint?
Ok - MS Paint IS free - but it's only on Windows. Anyways, i chose this because it has a simple, user friendly interface that allows you to create good looking photos in minutes. Most people should get the interface atleast by their 5th open.






