trying out linux... have questions

[crazyman143]

hey, I am thinking of trying out linux. But what I want to know is, will linux run windows based programs and applications? sombody had told me that it can, is this true?

 

[root]

Yes, you can get a windows API emultaor called WinE that allows you to run most windows applications on linux (You can even run visual studio and develop windows applications using this program.

(probably best you set up a duel boot first so that you can have a working system whilst you iron out the technicalities)

 

[Lord Kalthorn]

Yeah, if you want to try Linux best idea is to dual boot; at least until you build up the customary hatred of Windows and start to believe you can live without it!

Lol - nah - I'm ok with Linux now. Ish.

 

[crazyman143]

well, I have 2 computers, so I can keep windows on one, and have linux on the other, but what is and API Emulator? tell me more about that.

 

[Lord Kalthorn]

That is some sneaky devise Linux has used to Emulate the Enviroment of Windows and therefore allow all Windows Programs to work on Linux.

I dread to think how they came to build it.

 

[crazyman143]

sounds good to me. where do I get one?

 

[iamroot]

Go to www.winehq.com to download WINE. For gaming purposes, you can get cedega/wineX 4.0 which is devired from WINE but with DirectX and Direct3D APIs or something like that. The drawback is that you must pay for it. However you can use CVS to get it for free or search for compilied RPMs online. I managd to find WineX 3.3 which is the previous version.

 

[crazyman143]

ok, cool.

 

[Lord Kalthorn]

Tut tut tut - I'm still wondering how they managed that! Its madness!

 

[iamroot]

Its not impossible. The basics have already been done. All that's still left is to imcorporate latest standards like directX 9.0 and direct 3D.