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Windows software on Linux

localzuk

By localzuk
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localzuk

localzuk

Posted
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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

kmount

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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.

localzuk

localzuk

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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.

kmount

kmount

Posted
Posted
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

srochford

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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

CyberNerd

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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.

  • 3 months later...
northernrob

northernrob

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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

ChrisH

ChrisH

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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

tom_newton

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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 ;)
northernrob

northernrob

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We use kaleidos student website, which requires shockwave. There is no shockwave for linux so we run it under wine and it works great. Just need to create a nice icon for firefox under wine and it would be great

 

Cheers

danboid

danboid

Posted
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Any apps that don't run under wine will more than likely run just fine (unless its a game or depends on hardware 3D accel) under Virtualbox.

 

Seeing as 'wine is not an emulator' but a re-implementation of the windows libs and api, some software (esp. games) run faster under Linux/wine than than real Windows. This isn't the case under Virtualbox as it is emulating a PC within your PC so theres a speed penalty but the upshot is that it emulates all Windows bugs too and hence higher compatibility and more 'stability'.

 

Running XP under Virtualbox is very fast on moderately recent PCs and seeing as it emulates USB2 too you can actually use some hardware under Linux/ Virtualbox Windows that doesn't work (properly) under plain Linux. Weird but great eh? You can also integrate Windows apps with your Linux desktop via VB, removing the need to start your VM and launch an app from the virtualised Windows desktop.

 

Really though, the only area where I think Windows still beats windows re office/ school is printing. On most printers printing is faster and better quality under Windows than using cups. Of course, there is an entirely new *nix printing system in the pipeline I understand which could be the final nail in MS's coffin, if Gallium3D and DRI2 beat that.

 

If you want to know the free Linux equivalents of any Windows apps, fire away! There are great open source alternatives for almost all major apps these days.

localzuk

localzuk

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I'd be interested in the results for sure.

 

Firefox runs natively under linux, you can also install flash-player however its restricted-non-free

 

Northernrob was wishing to use shockwave, which isn't available on linux yet (and it may never be, as Adobe seem to be pushing forward pretty much only with Flash and newer techs).

tmcd35

tmcd35

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Like most, I'd be interested in seeing your results. One question though, are you using the WINE .dll's or are you using the native Windows .dll's? I understand you can get better compatibility from the Windows .dll's but this might negate the licensing benefits of using Linux/WINE over native Windows.

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