Linux is famed for providing an almost unlimited supply of free and open-source software, and many Linux advocates will try to have you believe that you can simply throw out your Windows software collection and migrate to Linux.  Yet this view remains somewhat optimistic.  Whatever your view about Microsoft and the Windows product, the massive range of high quality software available for the platform is undeniable.  The thought of losing access to this is enough to prevent most people from migrating to Linux - despite the attractive claims about its low cost and wonderful stability.  The range of commercial software available for Linux is unlikely to improve significantly until the user base grows: and the user base is unlikely to grow significantly until the range of software available in the stores increases.  A vicious circle you might think.  Perhaps not for much longer...

In this article, the fourth in our series on using a Shuttle XPC and Red Hat Linux as an alternative to a beige tower and Windows, we’ll be taking a look at two commercial offerings for Linux that allow you to run Windows applications directly under Linux without needing to dual-boot.

The first of these products is from NeTraverse and is called Win4Lin.  It is designed to allow you to install and run Windows 9x as yet another X-application under Linux.  Windows sits within its own window on the Linux desktop and runs all the usual Windows software directly - at the full speed of the machine.

The second of these products is actually a pair of products from CodeWeavers called CrossOver Office and CrossOver Plugin.  These products are based on the open-source  WINE project and aim to bring native support for specific Windows office applications and browser plug-ins.  Unlike Win4Lin, this approach doesn’t require Windows to be installed, saving disk space and licensing concerns, as the applications run directly under Linux.

Both projects are extremely ambitious and it will be interesting to see how they  perform.  They have the potential to unlock the power of Linux to a massive number of computer-savvy Windows users looking for a way to migrate away from Microsoft’s increasingly intrusive vision of home computing.  But will they perform?  Read on to find out.

If you are new to Sudhian Media, then you may wish to first read Part I, Part II and PartIII of the series.  Part I addressed the installation of Linux, configuring your sound, graphics and network, email client and instant messenger.  Part II went a little further, looking at mounting a Windows disk under Linux, compiling a new kernel, playing CD’s and MP3 files and watching DVD’s and other digital movie formats.  Part III looked at backups, CD burning and document scanning.

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• Win4Lin Description (0 of 23)
• Word and Excel under CrossOver (0 of 23)
• PowerPoint and Visio under CrossOver (0 of 23)
• IE 5.5 and Outlook under CrossOver (0 of 23)
• CrossOver Office Conclusions (0 of 23)
• CrossOver Plugin (0 of 23)
• QuickTime and Media Player (0 of 23)
• Macromedia Authorware & Shockwave (0 of 23)
• Other plugins (0 of 23)
• CrossOver Plugin Conclusions (0 of 23)
• Installing the other applications (0 of 23)
• Installing Office 2000 under CrossOver (0 of 23)
• Installation of CrossOver Office (0 of 23)
• Win4Lin Installation (0 of 23)
• Installing Microsoft Windows on Linux (0 of 23)
• Using Win4Lin (0 of 23)
• Testing Win4Lin (0 of 23)
• Office XP and Money 2002 (0 of 23)
• Encyclopedias and Adobe Products (0 of 23)
• RealOne, Trillian and Education (0 of 23)
• Win4Lin Conclusions (0 of 23)
• CodeWeavers CrossOver Products (0 of 23)
• Windows under Linux Conclusions (0 of 23)