Welcome to Linux for Windows.net v2.0.
This site is under construction but even so, we've still got a LOT here so far!
This site is the starting square for the board game of Linux, soto speak. A comprehensive guide in plain English that answers all of your basic questions in a non-complicated way. Made for the very non-technical person looking for a simple (but not short) answer to questions about Linux.
We're also trying to make the explanations entertaining, so the methods in which we do so may not be suitable for all fundementalists or right wing nut jobs. Common sense is required for using this website.
With Linux, you will find:
The Desktop is reletively the same (task bars, system tray, wallpaper, screen saver, start menu system, etc..)
The ability to create folders and shortcuts
Adobe Flash, Mozilla Firefox, Real Player and tons more applications for Linux that you are ALREADY USED TO USING.
GIMP, OpenOffice, Amarok Media Player and tons of other FREE Applications that do the exact same things as applications you would normally PAY for like Adobe Photoshop, Microsoft Office, Windows Media Player and so on.
Powerful Audio and Video Editing / Creation Tools such as MilkyTracker, SoundTracker, CheeseTracker, Hydrogen, Cinelerra, Pitivi, GNU Denemo, Audacity, etc.. that would cost you countless thousands if they were their commercial counterparts such as applications like Cakewalk, Propellerhead Reason, Adobe Audition, Windows Movie Maker and the list goes on endlessly. The FREE applications typically tend to format the GUI (Graphical User Interface) in the basic image of the commerical apps so that you'll already be at least semi-familar with them even though they are new to you!
Yes and no. Getting Windows Technology to run under Linux is rather challenging for a few reasons. For one, the technology has to be reverse engineered without the convience of being able to access Microsoft's source code. You can not just go slapping Windows Drivers and Utilities directly into Linux as it would be copyright infringement.
Sure, it has been proven that Microsoft has STOLEN source code for this, that and the other thing over the years. However -- they have the money to fight endless legal battles and most people do not have that sort of money to be able to tie things up in court until our sun cools, turns into a red giant star and destroys the Earth. So theres a few ways us mere mortals have to go about supporting Windows Applications under Linux...
WINE (WINdows Emulator) is a promising but extremely buggy way of tricking Windows Applications into thinking they're actually running on a Windows install. There is a modded version of WINE called Cedega (which requires you to pay yearly on a subscription) which supports most things, but still not everything and I'll tell you why.
No mater how large the development team though, there are still so many Applications and Games out there, that
there is no feasable way to support absolutely EVERYTHING that exists. There are millions of commercial applications
and BILLIONS of Sharware and Freeware applications.
This site is under construction but even so, we've still got a LOT here so far!
This site is the starting square for the board game of Linux, soto speak. A comprehensive guide in plain English that answers all of your basic questions in a non-complicated way. Made for the very non-technical person looking for a simple (but not short) answer to questions about Linux.
We're also trying to make the explanations entertaining, so the methods in which we do so may not be suitable for all fundementalists or right wing nut jobs. Common sense is required for using this website.
So Easy a Cave Man Can Do It...
Just because big business tends to choose Linux over Microshaft Windows does not mean it takes a development team to comprehend.
It is the choice of most business professionals not only because it's stable, safe, secure, immune to spyware and most virii as well as lightning fast -- but because it is EASY TO USE.
Both businesses and individuals are always looking for new ways to make their computer usage EASIER.
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I Don't Have Time To Learn Something New |
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Linux is going to be no more or less new to you than adjusting to a new car. The subtle nuances may be a bit different as far as features and how they are used: power windows, auto-adjusting mirrors, stereo systems with mp3 cd support, digital drivers dashboard, rear television and dvd for passengers, etc..
However the basic fundementals of how to drive a car remain the same. All cars have rubber wheels, a steering wheel, a break pedal, a gas pedal, turn signals and so on. It's the exact same concept for Linux! |
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Can Linux Run Windows and DOS Applications? |
Yes and no. Getting Windows Technology to run under Linux is rather challenging for a few reasons. For one, the technology has to be reverse engineered without the convience of being able to access Microsoft's source code. You can not just go slapping Windows Drivers and Utilities directly into Linux as it would be copyright infringement.
Sure, it has been proven that Microsoft has STOLEN source code for this, that and the other thing over the years. However -- they have the money to fight endless legal battles and most people do not have that sort of money to be able to tie things up in court until our sun cools, turns into a red giant star and destroys the Earth. So theres a few ways us mere mortals have to go about supporting Windows Applications under Linux...
WINE (WINdows Emulator) is a promising but extremely buggy way of tricking Windows Applications into thinking they're actually running on a Windows install. There is a modded version of WINE called Cedega (which requires you to pay yearly on a subscription) which supports most things, but still not everything and I'll tell you why.
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The WINE Configurations need to be bitch slapped "Per Windows Application" and even if you're just the
biggest computer deity out there and nothing can stand in your way -- this is still a very time consuming
proccess and theres only 24 hours in a day.
What Cedega allows you to do is pay them to do all that for you, seeing as they have a huge ass development team that has nothing else better to do. Thats what they're getting paid for. |
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DOSBox and DOSemu allow you to run the old Legacy DOS Stuff.
Theres a lot of useful tools out there and lets face it -- the old DOS Games are still every bit as fun and immortal as classic games can and ever will be. It's nice to be able to load those puppies up and start blasting Nazi's or CyberDemons and such. Ironically -- even Windows 2000, XP and Vista require DOSbox to play the old games. Linux runs them a hell of a lot smoother, though. |
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Your next option is using a Virtual Machine such as Qemu or VMWare to actually install Windows within Linux itself!
This actually works pretty well and sure beats having to install a Linux / Windows Dual Boot! A Virtual Machine is simply a piece of software that pretends to be a real computer. Windows has no way of telling the difference. As far as Windows can tell, it really is installed on an actual PC -- while in actuality -- the PC it is installed to is nothing more or less than files sitting in a directory on your real hard drive under Linux. |
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