[ubuntu-za] [Small Business] Running Windows and Linux

[Glen Wilson]

Try this article: it's about using SeamlessRDP and VMware-server to install 
Windows on an Ubuntu virtual machine (so that Windows runs inside Ubuntu).
http://www.venturecake.com/10-minutes-to-run-every-windows-app-seamlessly-on-your-ubuntu-desktop/

It seems you get the best of both: you can continue running your Windows 
applications and start menu, AND you get to use Ubuntu at the same time.  I 
gathered from the article that there may be other ways of achieving exactly 
the same thing - using different software etc - so with a little searching 
you might find a better way to do this.

Unfortunately I've never tried this procedure because I don't have an Ubuntu 
PC (yet - shame on me, yes, I'm working on that).

Later

Glen Wilson
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Barry Wyatt" <wyattware at yahoo.com>
To: "Ubuntu South African Local Community" <ubuntu-za at lists.ubuntu.com>
Sent: Friday, April 04, 2008 8:37 AM
Subject: [ubuntu-za] [Small Business]


> Hi all,
>
> My first post - really breaking new ground here. Very ignorant of Linux /
> Ubuntu from a programming level.
>
> My main areas are Education & Medical Software.
> Have been involved in Microprocessor design and there communication with
> Windows PCs.
>
> Some background:
> I have been programming on Windows systems for over a decade (Linux ??
> days!).  Automation of
> Office apps, webdesign (intranet), SQL, ASP, VB script, Java script, WSH,
> etc. Have tonnes of Windows software (legal copies) that is difficult to
> throw away as solutions with the familiar are fast and easy. Been using
> CorelDraw since 1983 ?!?
>
> Taking a deep breath and trying to get up and running on Linux / Ubuntu.
> Long term goal is to create "boxed" solutions for customers. Tried other
> distro's but Ubuntu has "made sense" (Apache, PHP, MYSQL, thin client (for
> education), etc).  Everything in Linux is a steep learning curve right 
> now -
> and time is limited as I need to satisfy existing Windoze customers (they
> want fast solutions). I would presume most small businesses using MS
> products are in the same dillema - transfer to Linux is very expensive -
> even if the OS and apps are "free" there are plenty of other costs.
>
> Some costs:
> - learning curve, extra 'test' PC, internet download costs.
> - Installing Ubuntu and running OO or email is easy - but I need to 
> program
> POP3 email control and SMTP servers, control program flow for automation,
> understand the inner workings of network and db security, be able to 
> handle
> some low-level programming functions, etc
> Time to learn is the biggie.  Local Ubuntu "How To" classes may help - but
> in East London?
>
> Some thoughts:
> There is plenty of advice on how to run specific Windows games on Linux, 
> but
> I want to run my familiar apps on Linux thereby easing the transition to
> Ubuntu.  In this way there is minimal disruption to existing systems and 
> new
> systems can be built from ground up in Linux; slowly phasing out the old -
> and then I don't have PAY for two computers each with a different OS - no,
> dual boot is not a satisfactory answer for me.
>
> Windows has virtual PC - does ubuntu have something similar so I can run
> windows and associated apps seamlessly (that's crucial) on ubuntu? I am
> currently looking at Wine and will see if it satisfies my requirements.
>
> So why do I want to switch? Basically the same reason I am moving towards
> solar and biogas away from Eskom - I am sick of having to pay for lousy
> service. It is also an attempt to challenge myself, keep the grey matter
> active and jump out of the software rut I have been in since graduation 
> and
> experience new vistas (NOT, scuze the pun). Mid-life crisis?
>
> For what it is worth,
> Barry
>
> PS
> I don't think too many are willing to switch - Ubuntu may more effectively
> be promoted among those who have not yet started their small business, 
> i.e.
> schools and universities - and 'free' speaks loudly amongst such folks.
>
> Trevor had a good point about pirate software as did Vijay - yep Ubuntu
> needs to be marketed on new PCs. This is a hardware vendor thing I 
> presume.
>
> I agree with Wayne on the POS/ accounting packages (but a some POS I have
> seen are a Linux (Unix?) flavour).
>
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "Morgan Collett" <morgan at ubuntu.com>
>> Our theme for April is... Small Business!
>>
>> If you are a small business owner or IT person (often the same
>> person!) or an IT provider servicing small businesses, go ahead and
>> introduce yourself on the list, and let us know what your needs are,
>> or your experience of Ubuntu use for small business.
>>
>> When you mail the list, put "[Small Business]" in the subject so
>> people can see at a glance you are discussing this.
>
>
>
>
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