windows software under ubuntu

[Paul Kaplan]

You have two options w/ a couple of variations.

The simplest (IMO) is to use WINE.  WINE is a compability layer that allows 
you to run W programs directly under Linux.  If you have W installed on 
another partition, you can use WINE to run the software from it's W installed 
location.   Alternatively you would need something like Codeweavers (~$60, 
www.codeweavers.com) version of WINE to install W programs directly to your 
Linux directory structure.  WINE doesn't do a perfect job of emulating the W 
environment and consequently some programs won't run at all while others have 
occasional bugs ranging from mildly noticeable to nearly fatal.  Check out 
the Codeweavers site to get a sense of what works and what doesn't.  Under 
WINE, W programs run side by side w/ Linux programs so you can copy and paste 
between applications.

An alternative solution is to emulate W under L using virtualization software 
such as VMWare (www.vmware.com).  VMWare allows you to install W in L by 
creating a virtual machine (essentially a large file that behaves as your W 
hard disk together with a few configuration files) and then installing W 
natively into the virtual machine; basically a computer w/ in a computer.   
The two computers interact w/ each other through a private network.  Under 
VMWare, programs run bug free, though some advanced hardware dependent 
features may be missing.  If you obtain a formatted virtual disk (many sites 
on the net), you can use VMWare Player, which is free (and available for 
installation from the Ubuntu software repositories), but a bit weak on the 
networking functions.   If you buy VMWare Workstation (~$200?), you can 
create new virtual machines and modify existing ones to suit your needs.  
There are several other virtualization programs (e.g., bochs), but 
technically I think VMWare works best out of the box and is easiest to 
install.  (VMPlayer is available for installation from the Ubuntu software 
repositories.)

Lastly, depending on exactly what you want/need to do, you are likely to find 
that for most programs, there are some very capable and frequently superior 
alternative native Linux programs, which obviate the need to consider running 
the W version in the first place.  The exceptions are usually advanced games 
or otherwise highly specialized w/ limited markets.

HTH,
Paul
On Saturday 22 September 2007 8:09:05 am Knowsgrace at aol.com wrote:
> I am considering installing ubuntu on my pc.   Can Windows  software run
> under ubuntu?   Where do I find the documentation?
>
> Regards,
>
> Alan
>
>
>
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