Running Windows applications
From Linux 101, The beginner's guide to all things Linux.
Running Windows applications is an option if an open source application cannot fill its needs. There are several different technologies available to accomplish this.
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[edit] Virtual Machines
Virtual machines are used to execute another complete OS simulataneously. They emulate the BIOS, basic hardware access, etc. This means that whatever OS you use, its code runs. You can find out more at the Virtual Machines section.
[edit] WINE
WINE stands for WINE Is Not An Emulator; however, it is often called one. WINE is merely an implementation of the Windows APIs for UNIX. When you run an application with wine, the code is still executing directly on the machine.
- Advantages
- Free (cost and code)
- Only run the application, not the entire OS
- Disadvantages
- Not all software works with it
There are several companies that have emerged to make running applications with WINE easier. One is Codeweavers which makes the CrossOver Office package. It makes it simple to be able to run Microsoft Office as well as several other office/home-office type products. The other is TransGaming. Their product allows many popular games to be able to run on Linux very easily.
While these products aren't free, they provide an easy way to run applications that could otherwise require hours of experimenting to make work.
[edit] Win4Lin
From the NeTraverse: "Run your favorite Windows applications on the Linux operating system in the fastest Windows 95/98/ME environment available for Linux."
- Advantages
- Runs the entire OS, so less compatability issues
- Disadvantages
- Not free
- Not compatible with Windows 2000 and above
[edit] Cedega
Cedega is a proprietary version of WINE that is centered around running Windows games.
- Advantages
Only runs the application
- Disadvantages
- Not free
