Windows software on Linux

[localzuk]

As I've been asked to investigate linux as an alternative to windows on our curriculum PC's, I have set out to test all our software in linux using wine.

So far, all I can say is wow. I have tried 25 packages and only 2 don't work.

I'll be posting an update here and on my blog with lists of software that work and don't work, and eventually updating the wine hq appdb also.

Is anyone else interested in the results of my tests?

[kmount]

Definitely interested.

It may also be worth considering cedega or crossover for anything which doesn't work with vanilla wine just incase its a show stopper.

[Domino]

Why would you sully glorious linux with horrid horrid windoze.....

[localzuk]

Why would you sully glorious linux with horrid horrid windoze.....

Because turning around to my boss and then the staff and saying that they need to relearn *everything* they know about computers, the software they have happily taught with for 5 years and that they'll need to buy new stuff, would be like placing myself in front of an unstoppable bulldozer...

In order to ensure a smooth transition from windows to linux, I would need to make sure most of what we already do would continue to work.

[Domino]

well if you're not gonna TRY......

[kmount]

Because turning around to my boss and then the staff and saying that they need to relearn *everything* they know about computers, the software they have happily taught with for 5 years and that they'll need to buy new stuff, would be like placing myself in front of an unstoppable bulldozer...

In order to ensure a smooth transition from windows to linux, I would need to make sure most of what we already do would continue to work.

It would be worth trying to look at 'alternatives' native to Linux rather than trying to use Windows software on linux. - Specifically, I think if you conquer Open Office and Firefox you've done pretty well in my book.

Wine isn't known for its wealth of stability so I'd consider using it sparingly and on a necessity basis...

I'd love my place to even open their eyes to the potential..

[srochford]

One of the things I've been trying to do is make Open Source software available on Windows - Softgrid makes that very easy.

This means that users can try things like Open Office, Gimp, Inkscape etc on their Windows machines.

We've no plans to move to Linux just yet (unless we moved completely we wouldn't save on licensing - the FE Campus agreement is based on the number of staff, not the number of machines) but I think we ought to be able to offer it to people to try!

[CyberNerd]

I find wine does a pretty good job of the older windows apps. Specifically It can handle old 16bit apps better than windows does. Major apps like MSOffice don't seem to be a problem.

there is a partial list of wine educational aps here:
Runs on Wine - Schoolforge-UK

My advice for the newer applications is to try and encourage teachers to buy VLE SCORM applications (crocodile absorb science and some heinemann is the best I have seen, the Nelson Thornes AQA looks ok, but it is hosted ofsite...)
It fits in with your linux agenda as well as extending school outside of the classroom by allowing student access from home.

[mac_shinobi]

I would be interested

[northernrob]

Hi,

I need some help. I have firefox working through wine. However what I need is to get the icon I created to work, If I run the following from the command line it runs fine wine "c:\Program Files\Mozilla Firefox\Firefox.exe" I have edited the .desktop file with loads of different variants but can't it get it run, so close!!!

Thanks

[RabbieBurns]

there is a linux version of firefox ... ?

[dhicks]

I have firefox working through wine.

You can't just run Firefox natively under Linux?

--
David Hicks

[mortstar]

nix firefox

[ChrisH]

I have been using wine to install all sorts of programs under Ubuntu and I havent had any issues at all. You start the isntaller and wine picks it up straight away. I am even running steam and played Team Fortress Classic online with no problems at all. I would have tried TF 2 but I couldnt be bothered waiting for all the files to download.
I am even got Team Speak running through wine because it works better than the native version!

[tom_newton]

I would be interested in seeing your results - I run a linux desktop here, and I use Wine for our phone system's admin package... might run something else if I can find any good s/w on windows