Robolinix - Windows XP use
 

So having come across this distro I am quite intrigued by it's promise to be able to run Windows programs. I am writing this post using the 'Live' DVD of the distro, & I have to say it is quite impressive- very fast, very well laid out etc.
Some questions;
1) I notice there is an i-pod program called gtkpod, now I don't have an i-pod but friends do- I am wondering does the extra software (that one has to pay for- (Stealth-VM)) that allows you to run windows programs in the Linux mean that i-pod use & indeed i-tunes run seamlessly with this RoboLinux/Stelth-VM? (I assume one would need to install Stealth-VM to get the full benefit of downloading songs from i-tunes into the i-pod, in other words gtkpod is just simply a music file manager compatible in i-pod???)
2) if one currently has a dual-boot system (1x Linux (in my case Lubuntu, & Windows XP) in order to get RoboLinux working with the ability to use Windows programs within the linux- would it be best (after backing up all my files to an external HD!) to just uninstall the Windows XP & the Lubuntu- and then run the delete MBR command- # dd if=/dev/zero of=/dev/sdc bs=512 count=1 to give a nice clean start, then just fresh install RoboLinux & Stealth VM? If so- what happens after that- does one then install the Windows XP into the Stealth-VM? What about the XP drivers- does Stealth-VM recognise missing drivers & install them?
3) does anyone know if Video-Redo runs successfully in the above configuration (Robo-Linux with Windows XP running through Stealth-VM)? I ask because I use video-editing (not really complex tasks) with Video Redo quite a bit, but I notice there is a line on the Robo-Linux information page that states "Can I run my Windows HD studio quality video editing software?
No you cannot run any high end studio professional video editors in the Robolinux virtual machine so you would need to set up a dual boot system." But above this line there is another line; "Edit videos and music files? - YES!"
Could the last line refer to something like Video-Redo?

Many thanks for any replies (PS- I want to re-inforce- I am very pleased with the speed & layout & intuitiveness of this distro running off the Live CD)

From what I can see, it is either just another virtual machine or a Linux system pre-configured with a VM. Without doing in-depth research, I fail to see the point.


So the purpose is to use Linux to use Windows 1) without viruses and 2) do things quicker.
1) Using a virtual machine will not stop viruses if the user continues using the Windows inside with the same practices as outside.
2) Perhaps I am stupid, but I fail to understand how using Windows in a virtual machine will make Windows operate quicker.

And the creator feels it is important enough to reiterate:

Quote:

Many people I talked to had tried Linux but said they went back to Windows so they could use their programs that did not work on any linux operating system.

In my opinion, for whatever it is worth, a virtual machine-oriented distribution for the purpose of using Windows applications is a waste of internet space.


And the answer to your question seems obvious. The quotes you provided suggest simple audio-visual editing is possible, but advanced editing is not.

Robolinix - Windows XP use
 

best thing I can suggest is to focus on finding alternative software to do the things you do in windows. chances are they exist, are free, and are faster!

But according to the website, the sole purpose of Robolinux is to provide a means for people who refuse to give up Windows applications a way to use them on a Linux system. For people who like using Windows applications, the answer is obvious: use Windows. Unfortunately, we do not live in a world where common sense prevails.

I'm only interested in it from the point of view of running some software that Windows provide the better programs for - like Video Redo. I find that the Linux alternatives (to Windows) are often better & faster. I was just interested to actually understand how this works & if it actually varies a lot from a 'normal' virtual box set-up.
And I wouldn't have asked only the distro itself (RoboLinux) is very impressive running it in 'trial' live mode from the CD....

One thing that might give you an idea is to look at the directory tree to see if the "C-drive" is treated as a directory or a partition. That might provide a clue as to how similar it is or is not to a VM.

I emailed Robo-Linux direct about a few queries- I got a pretty good reply;

1) I notice there's an ipod program called gtkpod, now I don't have an ipod but friends do- I'm wondering does the extra software (that one has to pay for- (Stealth-VM)) that allows you to run windows programs in the Linux mean that i-pod use & indeed i-tunes run seamlessly with this RoboLinux/Stelth-VM?
Yes this is probably the # 1 reason our Stealth VM Software Support Package is a necessity for Linux Users.

(I assume one would need to install Stealth-VM to get the full benefit of downloading songs from i-tunes into the i-pod, in other words gtkpod is just simply a music file manager compatible in i-pod?)

Yes you are correct.


2) if one currently has a dual-boot system (1x Linux (in my case Lubuntu, & WindowsXP) in order to get RoboLinux working with the ability to use Windows programs within the linux-would it be best to just uninstall the WindowsXP & Lubuntu,does one then install the Windows XP into the StealthVM?

That depends on whether you want the Windows Apps that are in your current XP dual boot set up to be in
the VM that is inside Ubuntu.

If not then just download the Stealth VM Software for Ubuntu and tell us to send you our one
click install -highly optimized XP Pro VM image. No keys needed.
What about the XP drivers-does StealthVM recognise missing drivers & install them?
The Host Linux OS passes its drivers to the Guest XP OS through installation of
the Guest Additions which is already in our one click XP VM image.


3) do you know if VIDEO-REDO runs successfully in the above configuration (RoboLinux with XP thru StealthVM?
Thanks


Not sure. Is it video card intensive? If so leave your dual boot XP Linux set up alone.
If you still need to run other Windows Apps inside Linux Ubuntu then feel free to download
the Stealth VM and ask us for the XP Pro VM image.