Is This Desktop Idea Possible?

otherlinuxguy · 03-10-2011, 08:11 PM

We always have the n00bs wanting to boot .exe s right?

What if you have boot Linux, run Wine and run an .exe file. Then users could develop a desktop-like environment and make it an .exe then boot it with Linux and Wine.

Is this possible?

I was just curious...?

MS3FGX · 03-10-2011, 08:30 PM

What are you trying to say here exactly? I don't understand the point of developing a "desktop-like environment", when you already have a desktop running.

MrCode · 03-10-2011, 08:31 PM

Ummm...are you talking about some kind of Windows Explorer clone? If you want to customize your WM/DE to look like Windows, that's already quite possible; just look at your WM/DE configuration options. You can even get Windows-like GTK/Metacity/Emerald themes at sites like gnome-look.org. Might not be an exact UI clone, but then again, what would be the point of running Linux if you didn't want it to be at least a little different?

otherlinuxguy · 03-11-2011, 05:03 PM

No MrCode but thanks for the explanation regardless.

I don't know MS3FGX but some people would prefer to build their own desktops with what they want. Because I know I'd prefer something rather simple.

dugan · 03-11-2011, 05:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by otherlinuxguy

We always have the n00bs wanting to boot .exe s right?

What if you have boot Linux, run Wine and run an .exe file. Then users could develop a desktop-like environment and make it an .exe then boot it with Linux and Wine.

Is this possible?

Yes, of course it's possible. You launch wine instead of a window manager or desktop environment.

Quote:

We always have the n00bs wanting to boot .exe s right?

Uhm, we do?

bluebox · 03-11-2011, 06:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by otherlinuxguy

We always have the n00bs wanting to boot .exe s right?

I've never seen an .exe booting. The bootmanager is booting, loading some kernel, and the kernel is finally able to execute .exes (maybe utilizing some kind of layer like wine).

Quote:

Originally Posted by otherlinuxguy

What if you have boot Linux, run Wine and run an .exe file. Then users could develop a desktop-like environment and make it an .exe then boot it with Linux and Wine.

Is this possible?

Well .. of course ...

We can make some configuration script for e.g. KDE, include backgrounds, icons, widgets and other stuff needed for a theme ... copy the whole stuff over to Windows and make some self-unpacking exe of it.

Then, you can run it under wine, it will self-extract, run the script, configure KDE, install the theme for you ... and voila ... you have a desktop-like environment with the look and simplicity of your choice

MS3FGX · 03-11-2011, 07:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by otherlinuxguy

I don't know MS3FGX but some people would prefer to build their own desktops with what they want. Because I know I'd prefer something rather simple.

This still doesn't explain what this has to do with WINE.

There are many lightweight window managers and desktop environments for Linux, with basically infinite customization possibilities. What would be the point of writing a Windows GUI, just to run it on WINE and use it as a Linux desktop? Why is WINE even involved in this?