Flopping Problems

[Tom Adelstein]

On Thu, 2005-04-28 at 08:53 +0930, Brian Astill wrote:
> On Thu, 28 Apr 2005 08:08 am, Tom Adelstein wrote:
> 
> > What can we do to help?
> 
> OK - if you WANT a challenge!  :-)
> 
> Stats packages SPSS v9+, HLM4, Streams, Lisrel, Nudist
> Miscellaneous apps: The business card software for Avery cards; the HP 
> software that advises cartridge ink levels; MYOB
> 
> -- 
> Regards,
> Brian
> 

Brian,

I don't know which Microsoft OS you use, but if you use Windows XP
Professional, you can enable terminal services and run any of the
programs you mentioned on Linux using rdesktop.

You'd need two machines. With the price of hardware so low today, that
could be an option. Also, by using rdesktop (RDP) the programs usually
run faster on Linux than they do on the host machine.

Another option would be to run Win4Lin. Some people like VMWare and I
hear that version 5 is much improved. I used previous versions going
back to 2.0 but didn't like it for myself. I might consider it today
since memory is so cheap and I can put 3 GBs of fast DDR RAM on my
boxes.

You cannot run SPSS through Nudist in Codeweavers Crossover Office or
any of the WINE derivatives. Linux can not give you the utility to keep
track of your ink cartridge levels yet. 

IMO,the best solution would be rdesktop on a separate machine depending
on your like for Linux. You can also install most of the GNU/Linux
packages on Windows by using cygwin (http://www.cygwin.com). Almost
everything has been ported to windows under the cygwin and ming dll's. I
had to do that once and it allowed me to do most of the command line
tasks I needed. I also used X and ssh in cygwin and ran some programs
off a Linux box. 

98% of my work requires Linux. Occasionally, I need a Windows
application and Codeweavers works for me. Unfortunately, the
applications you listed don't have a large enough user base to interest
Codeweavers to support the environments. :\

In organizations that use our firm to evaluate their open source
strategies, I use a rule of thumb and say 10% of the user population
will need Windows. You would fall into the 10% category. Typically,
we're able to utilize NT 4.0 Terminal services, Windows 2000 Server,
Microsoft 2003 Server terminal or Citrix to fill those needs. The
organizations need to have some commitment to Linux as the licensing for
Win terminal services are high. If a company can save money using Linux,
then for 10% of the user population to have terminal services -- the
savings are still significant.

You're using MYOB - I suppose for home? Linux + Codeweavers supports
Intuit products. If you use on-line banking, Codeweavers could provide
you the same experience with Quicken or Quickbooks.

I can see why you are torn. You still have some options if you wish to
stay with Linux. 

Good luck man. We just need to get more people using Linux so some of
your vendors will come out with Linux ports of their products.

Cheers!

Tom