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Can Linspire run software written for Microsoft® Windows?
Before
answering that question, you may first want to ask yourself if that is
really what you want to do? You see, in addition to stability and
security, the biggest benefit of running a Linspire computer is cost. As I have discussed on many occasions, by using Linspire and the Linspire Warehouse, businesses and home computer users can save literally thousands of dollars with their basic computing needs by NOT using the traditional, expensive Microsoft Windows programs.
It doesn't make much sense to convert to an affordable operating
system, such as Linspire, to only then turn around and continue
spending thousands of dollars on expensive MS Windows software.
We believe it is FILE compatibility
that is important, not so much PROGRAM compatibility. We believe what
is important is to provide easy-to-use software, that is affordable AND
can edit all the popular MS Windows compatible file types (.doc, .xls, .ppt, .pdf, etc.).
However,
since the vast majority of people are moving from Microsoft Windows,
this is one of the most often-asked questions we get, so I've broken
this topic down into several smaller, yet related questions. I
think you'll see that migrating from the world of Microsoft Windows
isn't as difficult as you perhaps may have believed, but the actual
solution to that migration may surprise you. As you'll see, it's not in running Microsoft Windows software...
Is Linspire designed to run software written for Microsoft® Windows?
No. Linspire is designed to run stable, secure and affordable Linux software. Fortunately, there are thousands of great Linux software programs available to perform most any desktop computer task, and the amount and quality of the software is advancing every day.
Is there a way to try and get Linspire to run software written for Microsoft Windows?
Linspire users can use the Linspire Warehouse to install WINE, an open source project started several years ago, that allows Linspire to somewhat run a limited number of MS Windows compatible software programs.
Fortunately, there are much better options for migrating from MS Windows programs than using WINE, which I'll discuss below.
How well does WINE work in running MS Windows-compatible programs?
Even with dozens of developers having contributed thousands of hours and lines of code to WINE, the challenge to run MS Windows compatible programs on Linux is a very big one,
and it could be some time yet before WINE is advanced enough to
reliably run the most popular MS Windows programs. WINE continues to
make slow progress in running a select group of MS Windows programs,
with varying degrees of success as to how well each program will run.
Sometimes programs will "run," but have display problems, can't print,
won't work with sound, crash, hang your system, and so on.
Which specific MS Windows-compatible programs can WINE run?
Currently,
there are only a handful of MS Windows compatible programs that WINE
has been successful in running reliably. Linspire gained notoriety
for having invested heavily into WINE when we first started and making
Linspire the first non-MS Windows operating system that could install
and somewhat run Microsoft Office.
Over
time, it's possible that more programs could eventually be supported
using WINE, but for now there are very few MS Windows compatible
programs that the average, non-technical user can reliably use for
day-to-day productivity.
Are there other non-MS Windows operating systems that can run MS Windows software?
Most
non-MS Windows operating systems that claim to run some MS Windows
software use WINE to achieve MS Windows compatibility, and since WINE
is shared open-sourced code, all operating systems will have very
similar results. (We give 100% of our WINE programming
back to the public WINE tree.) If an operating system advertises that
it can run MS Windows programs, be sure to get hard test results for
the particular programs you're looking to run. Some vendors will take
liberties with how they define "run." Just because someone may say
they are able to "run" a particular program, doesn't mean it won't have
enough reliability problems to render it unusable for day-to-day
productivity. Because of the enormity of the challenge, it's common
that once a program is able to install and "come up," the developers
move on to the next program, rather than investing further to increase
the stability of each individual program (a painstakingly difficult job
to do with WINE).
Is Linspire, Inc. still working to improve WINE and Linspire' ability to run MS Windows compatible programs?
As
mentioned above, when we first started, we invested a large
amount of time and money into WINE. However, soon after, we came to the decision that it was better to invest in
helping with the advancement of native Linux software rather than
investing more into WINE. We do keep the WINE program updated in
our the Linspire Warehouse, but other than that, we participate very little with
the WINE project. We believe there are better approaches to migrating from MS Windows to Linux.
If you don't recommend WINE, what options do I have to migrate from MS Windows?
Fortunately,
the development of software that runs natively under Linspire is
moving along at a nice rate, outpacing developments with WINE. For example, products such as StarOffice and OpenOffice, (available in the Linspire Warehouse) are very viable replacements to Microsoft Office, without the big expense. These programs can read and write Microsoft Office file formats.
Even with all our work to get MS Office 2000 to run on Linspire, most
users will find the experience will be far more satisfying using one of
these programs that run natively under Linspire.
The
biggest reason, however, to leave behind legacy MS Windows-compatible
software is that you also get to leave behind their high cost. For only a fraction of the cost, Linspire users have access to hundreds of software titles that
would cost thousands of dollars for the same functionality with MS
Windows programs. Click here for a list of programs that make comparable replacements for MS Windows software, that even use the same file types.
Click here for some additional ideas of how to "migrate" from MS Windows to Linspire.
Does Linspire come pre-loaded with WINE?
WINE is not included by default, but those wishing to try out WINE can install it easily here, using the Linspire Warehouse from the the Linspire Warehouse Warehouse.
Because WINE is still unstable and under constant development, it is
not recommended for less-technical computer users, and we
cannot offer support for those who install WINE from the Linspire
Warehouse.
What do you mean by MS Windows "Migration?"
Compatibility
with old, expensive, legacy MS Windows-compatible software isn't really
necessary for someone to enjoy all the benefits of Linspire. What is
needed is a "migration" strategy that makes it possible to easily move
from MS Windows to Linspire. We try to focus on providing
solutions that are as easy to install and use as what users are
accustomed to, as well as provide file compatibility, so they can move to Linspire without losing their data.
Click here for some ideas of how to "migrate" from MS Windows to Linspire.
Are there examples of WINE working exceptionally well?
WINE's
real value comes when a software manufacturer is interested in porting
their software to Linux but doesn't want to completely re-write it. If
the software developer is willing to make some changes to their code to
"port" it to Linux via WINE, then good results can be found. It's when
WINE developers must work around closed-sourced code, with no input
from the software author, that it becomes difficult to reliably and
fully support a program. Hopefully, in time, as Linux gains popularity
on the desktop, more major software vendors will port their programs to
Linux using native Linux software languages.
What is CodeWeavers' CrossOver Office?
CodeWeavers
is a commercial enterprise that tries to optimize the same open source
WINE code as found in our Software Warehouse to better run MS
Windows programs. Their commercial product comes with a special
installer and other items to try and maximize the chances of WINE
successfully installing and running MS Windows programs. You can read
about their products and buy them from their web site.
CodeWeavers only supports a limited number of MS Windows programs, so
be sure to check with them on the extent of their support for the program
you're looking to run. Because WINE is still unstable and not
recommended for less technical computer users, we cannot offer
support for those who install these products in Linspire.
Who is Netraverse and what is Win4Lin?
Netraverse makes a product called Win4Lin
which allows you to run a copy of Microsoft's Windows operating system
from within Linspire (not currently compatible with 2000 or XP). Unlike CodeWeavers and Transgaming, Win4Lin
actually requires and uses a copy of Microsoft Windows. For this
reason, it tends to offer more stability and support than WINE. Win4Lin is available to buy and install using CNR. This
can be a handy way to run those one or two MS Windows programs that
perhaps you haven't found a good Linux replacement for yet.
Do you think Linux can be successful if it doesn't achieve compatibility with all MS Windows programs?
Absolutely. The cost savings are just too compelling for many to pass up. As long as there is an easy data migration path,
we believe users will happily move to a modern and stable OS, such as
Linspire. As more users move to this new platform, even the major
software developers will create versions of their programs to run
natively for Linspire.
The
real value for those running Linspire is from the ability to save
hundreds of dollars over buying and running expensive MS Windows
programs with the Linspire Warehouse.
Click here for some ideas of how to "migrate" from MS Windows to Linspire.
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