Ive read you cannot install software via its RPM with Lindows[1], and Ive also read you can use apt instead of the Lindows CNR utility.

That said, can you compile and install apt from source and apt-get to your heart's content? Or is CNR a must?

Can I run most of the GPL linux software that I can run on other distributions (gnucash/gimp/xmms, et cetera) with the apt method?

I have both a WinXP desktop and a Fedora server at home, and want to set up a third box (Lindows) as a 'family' machine anyone can use (the family complains about the linux box, and I complain about the Windows box), as well as allow me to pop the hood and install whatever I need to.

If Lindows is CNR only, I wont bother with the install, but if its possible to do what Im speaking of, I'll definitely give it a try.

Thanks.

[1] I have no links or other data to back this up, I just remember reading it somewhere.

I answered my own question this evening. Lindows 4.5 installed without any problems and after an hour, I was pretty satisfied.

Via apt-get, I had installed gnucash, xchat, and then performed an "apt-get upgrade" when it all fell apart.
Here's the last output from that command:

***
incom:/home/salvatore# apt-get upgrade
Reading Package Lists... Done
Building Dependency Tree... Done
You might want to run `apt-get -f install' to correct these.
Sorry, but the following packages have unmet dependencies:
arts: Depends: libartsc0 (>= 1.1.5-2) but it is not installed
Depends: libarts1 (>= 1.1.5-2) but 1.0.0.1-27 is installed
k3b: Depends: kdelibs4 (>= 4:3.1.5) but 4:3.0.1.1-103 is installed
Depends: libarts1 (>= 1.1.5) but 1.0.0.1-27 is installed
Depends: libfam0c102 but it is not installed
Depends: libk3bcore2 (>= 0.10.3) but it is not installed
Depends: libk3bplugin1 (>= 0.10.3) but it is not installed
Depends: libk3bproject1 (>= 0.10.3) but it is not installed
Depends: libk3btools1 (>= 0.10.3) but it is not installed
Depends: libqt3c102-mt (>= 3:3.2.3) but it is not installed
Depends: libvorbis0a (>= 1.0.1) but it is not installed
Depends: libvorbisenc2 (>= 1.0.1) but 1.0.0-1 is installed
Depends: libvorbisfile3 (>= 1.0.1) but 1.0.0-1 is installed
Depends: cdrecord (>= 4:2.0+a18-1) but 4:2.0+a10-2.lindows1 is installed
Depends: kdelibs-data (>= 4:3.1.4-2)
kate: Depends: kdelibs4 (>= 4:3.1.5) but 4:3.0.1.1-103 is installed
Depends: libfam0c102 but it is not installed
Depends: libqt3c102-mt (>= 3:3.2.3) but it is not installed
kfind: Depends: kdelibs4 (>= 4:3.1.5) but 4:3.0.1.1-103 is installed
Depends: libfam0c102 but it is not installed
Depends: libkonq4 (>= 4:3.1.5) but 4:3.0.1.4-45 is installed
Depends: libqt3c102-mt (>= 3:3.2.3) but it is not installed
kghostview: Depends: kdelibs4 (>= 4:3.1.5) but 4:3.0.1.1-103 is installed
Depends: libfam0c102 but it is not installed
Depends: libqt3c102-mt (>= 3:3.2.3) but it is not installed
khelpcenter: Depends: kdelibs4 (>= 4:3.1.5) but 4:3.0.1.1-103 is installed
Depends: libfam0c102 but it is not installed
Depends: libqt3c102-mt (>= 3:3.2.3) but it is not installed
kmenuedit: Depends: kdelibs4 (>= 4:3.1.5) but 4:3.0.1.1-103 is installed
Depends: libfam0c102 but it is not installed
Depends: libqt3c102-mt (>= 3:3.2.3) but it is not installed
krfb: Depends: kdelibs4 (>= 4:3.1.5) but 4:3.0.1.1-103 is installed
Depends: libqt3c102-mt (>= 3:3.2.3) but it is not installed
kscd: Depends: kdelibs4 (>= 4:3.1.5) but 4:3.0.1.1-103 is installed
Depends: libfam0c102 but it is not installed
Depends: libqt3c102-mt (>= 3:3.2.3) but it is not installed
Depends: libxine1 (>= 1-rc3a) but it is not installed
ktuberling: Depends: kdelibs4 (>= 4:3.1.5) but 4:3.0.1.1-103 is installed
Depends: libfam0c102 but it is not installed
Depends: libqt3c102-mt (>= 3:3.2.3) but it is not installed
libkdegames1: Depends: kdelibs4 (>= 4:3.1.5) but 4:3.0.1.1-103 is installed
Depends: libfam0c102 but it is not installed
Depends: libqt3c102-mt (>= 3:3.2.3) but it is not installed
qjackctl: Depends: libqt3c102-mt (>= 3:3.2.3) but it is not installed
E: Unmet dependencies. Try using -f.
incom:/home/salvatore#
***

So. Is there an alternative to using CNR to keep the LindowsOS up to date? Admittedly, Im a Yum user and don't have alot of exposure to apt, but should so simple a process leave the system so useless?

Who wants to suggest another distro to try (I have a spare computer and want to get something installed on it)?

Try knoppix

I was following a series on Newsforge about Debian based distros (all use apt), that was pretty interesting. Of the four reviewed, LindowsOS 4.5, Xandros, Mepis, and Libranet, Mepis got the highest marks. Recent reviews say it's a bit unpolished but progressing nicely. I tried LindowsOS 4.5 Developer and Libranet 2.7 myself. I prefer Libranet for its xadminmenu which is very nice for admin. Xandros would probably be better suited for a general computer for the family if LindowsOS doesn't cut it.

Personally, I tinker (too much and too often) and have enjoyed RH7.3-9, slackware, gentoo (emerge rocks), libranet 2.7 and linux from scratch. I currently use RH9 and like it. I want to upgrade to FC 2, but don't have broadband, so yum is out of the question.

Anyway, check out http://www.linux.com/article.pl?sid=04/01/28/2334247 for the summary and links to the four reviews I mentioned.

Luck,
Skip

Excellent response. Thank you for the detail.

Have you checked out MEPIS? it has a lot of promise. I pretty much use Lindows, but I have another PC that I try different Distro's on. MEPIS was a pleasant surprise.

I reccomend you stick with Fedora. Mandrake 9.2 seems to be fairly user friendly as well. I've not had a chance to try Mepis yet. If you want a cool distro that runs from disk like the affore mentioned Knoppix I reccomend PHLAK. Well, anyways, good luck with whatever you choose.

If the latest and greatest it what you're after Debian Sid is the way to go.
Lindows is for those who care more about having a system that just works, and needs no tweaking, setting up etc.

MEPIS runs of a CD with option on the desktop of installing it. It is Debian bases so it uses apt-get. There is a ton of software already loaded and if you want more you can either use apt-get or a front end like Kpackage, which I found pretty simple for a newbie.

Salvatore,

Try running dpkg --configure -a

Then run the apt-get -f install if you need to do so.

This will sometimes bust CNR, but if you're not using it anyway then it doesn't matter.

Hello,

I LindowsOS Laptop edition. I follow the steps mentioned above and it failed at:

apt-get install alien

The return message is:

Package alien has no available version, but exists in the database.....

The next step:

alien my.rpm

return "alien command not found"

Any suggestion please? I am stuck...

Thanks.