Windows/Linux Software Compatibility
 

Hello. I am thinking about switching from Windows to Linux. I have heard that Linux is more secure, but have never used it before. I was wondering if any of my Windows- compatible software will work on Linux. I have Microsoft Age of Empires I and II, Microsoft Office XP, Blizzard Entertainment Star Craft Brood War, and some other software that I would like to use on Linux, but am not sure if it is compatible with it. Also, I am on a home network. Will the network still operate if one computer is on Linux and the rest are on Windows?

Thank You,
Neo1134. :)

none of it is compatible. none of it.

but you don't need to worry as wine (apps) and cedega (games) exist to provide the functional API for windows applications to run not badly at all these days.

but please... don't try to stick with windows applications just because your'e used to them... instead of Office XP, try openoffice.org etc...

networks operate at a wholly different OSI level to operating systems, they have nothing in common fundamentally. now if the OS wants to use crappy closed spec protocols on it then that's a different issue ;-)

Do they make Linux-compatible versions of Age of Empires, Rainbow Six, or Star Craft?

nope. see transgaming.com

Some games have Linux clients. Google them and you will find out. Otherwise, as acid said you can use emulators to run Win software on Linux OS.

Try cedega for games http://www.transgaming.com/

Try Wine for apps http://winehq.org

Transgaming website has a nice list of games that can run under it and they give you a compatability rating as well.

Cegega is awesome. Star Wars: KOTOR runs better on my machine under Cedega than it does running natively under windows. City of Heroes also runs quite well.