Running Windows Programs on Linux\What Linux Flavor To Pick
 

I am a current user of Win Me of which I am very disappointed with. I am planning to build a computer in mid 2005, on which I would like to put Linux as the os. I have never used Linux before, but I know that it is much more stable then windows. I need to use windows 98/ME/XP programs on this computer and use leading hardware of which the company does not make Linux drivers. Which "Flavor" of Linux should I pick with the above needs outlined, along with being able to burn cds and dvds. I also need to work on windows net works, (TCP/IP). Any help that anyone could provide would be much appreciated. I have heard that Redhat and Mandrake would be good choices, but I don't know if they can run the windows programs.

mid 2005??? you are joking i take it..???

please search this site for a LOT of opinions about which is the best distro, it is asked so many times it's unreal. wether they can run windows programs or not is not related to the distro you chose (as with all the other things you mention), but the programs you install in that distro. unless of course you pick Lindows... but that's just a no go area around here generally. but if the ability to run windows programs is a key feature for you then you're likely to be dissapointed, unless you pay decent money for proprietry software like win4lin

No, I was not joking about building a computer in mid 2005. I don't know if there is a Linux distro which could run windows programs natively. I have heard that Red Hat 8 and Mandrake 9 are good versions of Linux. I have heard about Lindows being a watered down version of Linux, so I have strayed away from it.

so mid 2005 is 18 months away, you can't choose which to use then based on what's around now..! things are likely to change an awful lot in that time. mandrake possibly not existing by then for one. and redhat 17 will probably be out by then, and if not it is unlikely to resemble redhat 8.0 in any realistic way.

Why wait till mid 2005, just do it now.

I am building the computer for my senior project, that is why I am not building it right now. I am slowly scouting out Linux for a possible os, but I must be able to run all windows programs, otherwise I'll have to pick Windows :eek:

use windows then.

Also, i'd suggest (please no flames) upgrading to Windows 2000 or XP, since they are both much more stable than ME, which is a buggy piece of shit, even by Microsoft's standards. You may dislike Windows, but I can't imagine you'd have a better time running Windows programs under WINE on Linux.

Also, why do you need to run so many Windows programs? I can understand the need for some big professional application like
Photoshop, but what else?

As regards hardware, if it's not supported in the kernel and the manafacturer doesn't make Linux drivers, you can't use it in Linux - simple :D

Alex

To be honest, Windows 2000 Pro (without SP3) was the best piece of software that came out of Redmond, but that doesnt make it good, its still buggy.

Shak

wouldn't windows 2005 be out by then?

...just checking...
; )

Computer technology moves very fast. By 2005, 64 bit processors could be obsolete and RAMBUS memory may be replaced with new type of magnetic memory chips. Hard drives could be replaced with holgraphic storage.

IMO, numbered versions of Windows are better than word versions. Windows 3.1, Windows 95, Windows 98, Windows NT 4, Windows 2000 are very good. Windows ME and Windows XP are not good.

Any distribution will be ok. Nither of all distributions except LINDOWS will run Windows programs in native or pure mode. There are many LINUX programs that are good as Windows programs or better than Windows programs.

* gaim is good universal instant messager (never used it)
* gimp is good photoshop like program
* Mozilla.org is a good web browser (very similar to Netscape 6)
* povray is a great 3D render
* AC3D is good 3D modeler that exports to many 3D scene formats for Windows 3D rendering programs
* lokigames has a large game selection for LINUX users
* Java and Flash works in native mode
* OpenOffice or Star Office is good alternatives for MS Office
* Oggle and XINE are good DVD players
* MPlayer is a good windows media player like program (reminds me of media player filename for Windows 3.1)
* Trolltech is a good MS Visual C++ alternative (makes universal GUI programs for both LINUX, Windows, and maybe for MAC)
* SAMBA is good Windows file sharing service
* proftp is good ftp service

The list goes on and on...


Go to Distrowatch.com and look through all the LINUX distributions.

electro, where did yo copy that from?

windows in linux
 

I'm running Xandros os and have installed win4lin on my linux box. So far it has work like a champ. The main draw back is ant this time it doesn't supoort 256 color or direct X. I don't notice any slow down from windoze 98 running Corel Draw, That's the only thing I need a windoze format for.
Scott

thepugmaster, the best advice is to dual boot Linux and Windows NOW, see if you can get it to do what you want, and decide which OS you want from there. I would suggest that people expecting Linux to be Windows are going to be disappointed. Linux is not Windows. They are different. You will need to decide if that is good or bad.
Good Luck.

My brain :D

Why you ask?


BTW, KDE is a good Desktop Environment for Windows users trying to make the translation to LINUX. GNOME is a good Desktop Environment that looks like older MAC OS versions. Of course you can make LINUX look like Windows but I don't remember the name of the Desktop Environment. If you can find the Desktop Environment, you can use it as an April Fools joke. Windows users will never know the difference. The only time they will know is when it will not crash during the day.:p