I'm kind of new at this, but found while browsing around that I need a couple of programs on Linux to run Windows based programs like Starcraft, etc.

Evidently, I need to download and install 'X', which I'm not sure how to do. Then I'm supposed install a thing called 'Wine', which sounds dependant on installing 'X' first. Lastly, I need an Open Sound System driver for my sound card.. Is there anything else?

X is the thing that I was hoping to get some help on mostly.. I've got Mandrakelinux 10.0. Once it's downloaded what do I do?

Thanks for your help!

try going at www.winhq.com. as far as i know Wine is not Crossover X dependent. i tried runned programs like Desktop Architect and World Book 2001 under Wine.

So, would downloading and installing 'X' not be in my best interests to do if I just want to emulate a few Windows programs on Linux? Does Wine suppliment or replace 'X'? I thought it was the former...

Have a look at www.transgaming.com and cedega 4.0 and point2play...

I use winex to run a few games. I think starcraft is on the working list...

Oh, and if you are more interested in apps than games (tho it will run some game too) then look at codeweavers crossover as it runs things like office and pjotoshop, etc...

Both winex and crossover are commercial releases of wine - cost $30-$40 both woth it for ease of use, esp crossover.

WINE is not a Windows emulator. for more info check their website.
check this out: http://koti.mbnet.fi/~hoppq/sc-howto.html for install instructions.

To get back to your main question, theAntic, chances are good that you installed X when you installed Mandrake. If you see a desktop when your computer gets up and running, rather than just a black screen with simple white text on it, then you are already running X.

Now for the bad news: Wine is (how shall I put this?) not the simplest software to install and configure. Just do a search of the forum and you'll find that the archives are strewn with the bloody remains of those who've tried and failed to tame this beast. As amosf suggested, you may be marginally better off with the commercial version of WineX, now called Cedega.

As for your sound driver, that's entirely dependent on what sound card you have. Try starting a terminal (of course if you really don't have X, then you're always in a terminal) and running the command 'lspci -v' as root. This will give you info about lots of your hardware. Look for the section about your sound card. The chances are good that Mandrake configured your sound card during install, too; but if not you'll have to find the correct module for it, or recompile your kernel to enable support.

Enjoy!
--- Cerbere

I think I remember Linux configuring my sound card along with my video card, etc, so getting a driver might not be a concern there. It also seems to be working fine on the Desktop too (no black screen and white text here).

But for the WineX idea.. sounds like I ought to simply fork over the money for the codeweaver thing as attempt to screw up my system, again, which really is a shame. My goal behind moving to Linux was to save money as well as getting used to the system. I really just want to know how much I can do with this OS, and game playing would be one of those things I'd really like to figure out how to do. Are you saying this something an amateur like myself shouldn't even bother with?

I find wine difficult and I've been using linux and wine for years

The packaged versions of wine are just easier for the new user, and the old. I use both Winex and Crossover myself, as well as Win4lin and (rarley) wine.

Codeweavers crossover costs just $40 and is good for running apps like office or photoshop. Also runs some games not too bad.

Winex or cedega from transgaming (also have point2play interface) is as little as $15 and is made for games. The games I have work with both WineX and Crossover, but they work a little better with WineX.

I think it's worth the money... For me at least.

You can still also have wine installed and play with it as well. As I say, I have crossover, winex and wine all installed (and win4lin, but it's a little more like vmware).