I am seriously considering making the switch (in particular to ElementaryOs) but I have nagging doubts about the efficacy of WINE...not for my major apps, as I am happy to use the Linux alternatives. I've already checked these, but it is the small utility apps I use with my music gear I am concerned about.

I have tried Linux before and tried to run these apps under WINE but none of them even installed properly let alone ran!

These are small executables, for example a PC editor for my keyboard, another for a drum machine, another I use for averaging MP3 backing tracks (MP3 Gain -it's old but a great app)and there are others too, but I think you get the idea.

So, yeah, does WINE actually work, or is it ( and derivatives like PlayOnLinux)) just for specific apps only and not really for generic use?

Thanks

PS: Not interested in dual booting at all!

It depends on the application...you can check the database here...
https://appdb.winehq.org/
Additionally, they have dedicated forums to discuss such topics as well.

I concur with ferrari.

WINE has always been a bit of a lottery. The guys over at WINE HQ do an amazing job of converting system calls,requests, etc, considering that MyCrudSoft are constantly changing the way everything works.

You may find that something which works with a particular version of WINE won't do so with the next release, simply because the way something is implemented has been changed. I tend to stick with a specific version of WINE - in my case, v3.3 - because it just 'works' with the Windows apps/utilities I run. It may be several releases 'out-of-date', but I don't consider it a risk, since none of my Windows apps try to connect to the Internet.....and the whole thing, a 'real-time' Windows environment, runs from within its own sandboxed 'prefix'.

If what you want is music stuff, why not use one of those Linux OSs that have been specifically tailored/built with music production in mind....a Linux DAW? Something like Ubuntu Studio, for instance?

One of our veteran Puppy Linux community members also built a specific Puppy OS tailored for this kind of thing, with the intention that it should run from a flash drive. I can't remember the name of it for the life of me, but it was well-received by multiple sections of the Linux community when it was released, and even had its own dedicated website. If I remember what it was called, I'll post back with the info for you.


Mike.

Firstly, have a look here:
App Finder
You'll see that MP3 Gain is actually available for Linux and there are several drum machines.

Secondly, I'd definitely recommend Ubuntu Studio — it should be just what you need and they've had a new version (20.04) this year that will be supported for 3 years:
Ubuntu Studio audio

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Well, that, at least, can be replaced with a native Linux app. Most taggers can add replay-gain.

Thanks guys and all that, but you've missed the point I think...Way too much baggage in Ubuntu Studio....as I wrote I have already investigated the major programs needed and what is available under Linux is fine.

These apps have NO equivalent in Linux as they are bespoke to enable editing and maintaining hardware devices and setups on same, hence the need for something in Linux to help them work. MP3 Gain is a minor thing and was more just an example. I have already looked at all the App finder lists before posing the questions here, and that indeed was the point.

WINE is NOT it seems, a generic app that can run windows apps, it is a "selective" program, but purports itself to being the "Swiss Army Knife" when it, and pretty much all the other programs in Linux for windows, seem to really focus on games, word processing or spreadsheets...I did try Linux previously believing all the hyperbole about how this "wondrous" WINE was going to let me use all my windows apps...but as I wrote they do not even install, let alone work.

So the only options are to a) wait for the hardware makers to port a Linux Version (not gonna happen) or submit an "entry" into the huge list of apps wanting to be covered by WINE, which may or may not happen and you are left dangling in the wind until that time.

As I wrote I really want to get away from Windows, but without a way to run these vital little apps, I guess it's not gonna happen.

I'll check back in a couple of more years and see if it's changed.

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You might look into installing Linux on a second drive to dual boot. I now use this setup on both my main desktop and my brand new laptop. I have been using Ubuntu Linux for a couple of years now and I find it much better for productivity: it just works and does not get in your way when you're doing e-mail, writing and web based working.

However there are some legacy apps and tools that I need and you just can't find in Linux and no real work-arounds are to be found. Now I usually use Linux for my day-to-day productivity and when I need to I boot into Windows to do the things I need to do and then get out again (Windows feels like a public toilet when coming from Linux).

Thanks Hermani, I really would prefer to not dual boot...I really want to get totally away from windows, and tbh, for 95% of what I do (even games) I can find what I need in Linux native...to give one example I have a drum machine pedal and the ONLY way it can be programmed is via an app. I guess I will just have to go and join yet another website just to get an answer.

Windows in a virtual machine is another option.

So instead of getting away from Windows, you're going to stay with Windows entirely. Got it.

Maybe you should go bother them?
As a paying customer of their gear, you would think they would owe you more than the wine dev's do,,,,

joden1,

You appear to have answered your own question.

It would seem that Linux with WINE does not offer the solution to your software requirements, whilst Windows does, even if you don’t really like using it.

That's really it in a nutshell. We're not magicians. Sometimes one needs a Windows environment to run proprietary apps, or considerable time/effort to replicate the environment with wine (eg DLLs) needed to run said app(s). It is not a perfect science and not always viable.

The important point you need to understand about Wine is the considerable community effort required to reverse-engineer Windows API calls into POSIX calls on-the-fly...
https://www.winehq.org/about
To that extent it is a "do-ocrity" with those contributing getting to make the calls I guess.

I stated earlier, twice, (although in differing terms) Linux can already do 95% of what I need with NATIVE linux apps and programs. All I am asking is does WINE really work or is it mostly hyperbole.

And I think I have the answer