Switching to Linux but want to use windows software

[duderanch]

I'm new to Linux and I'd like to switch completely from windows.  The situation standing in my way is: there are a couple of games and a couple of other programs that I just don't want to be without (I currently use them in a Windows environment).  But, I understand there is an emulator that I can use to run these programs via Linux.  Does anyone know where I can get this emulator?... or does it come included with any of the Linux distributions?  If it is included, what is it called and how do I get to it?

Also, how do I get additional programs/applications to use with a Linux OS?  Is there a main website?

Thank you so much for any help anyone can provide.

John

[Rudge]

duderanch, do you already know how to update your system?

http://www.pclinuxos.com/forum/index.php/topic,63199.0.html

[jaydot]

you have several options available, including virtualbox and other emulators into which you install windows, or wine, which is an api enabler allowing you to run applications without having to install an os.  which you choose will depend upon your hardware for an emulator and whether or not the particular app will run in wine.

many apps will work seamlessly with wine and often faster than they would in windows.  some sort-of work and some won't co-operate at all.  much more work needs to be done on wine to make it a wee powerhouse of functionality.  when enough volunteers undertake the vital task of fleshing out the code and adding features, enabling more and more apps and in particular games, we'll see a flourishing of linux in a way unseen hitherto.  ach, dreaming again. *sigh*

post details of your hardware specs and the apps to run so that people can better advise you.

[russell.eberhardt]

I would try "wine" first.  There is a comprehensive list of what programs work with wine and what problems there may be at http://www.winehq.org/

If your programs don't work with wine they will most likely work running under windows on VirtualBox but you need a windows license for that.

Russell.

[arjaybe]

Let's not forget Crossover.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CrossOver

[Was_Just19]

  Switching to Linux but want to use windows software

Like saying I want to switch to a Ferrari but I want to keep my Ford steering wheel and tyres.

I recommend you dual boot .......  booting into Win for games.
Use Linux for all the other stuff.

You did not say which games of software you wanted to continue to use ......  that information would determine what options would be best for you.

regards.

[tuxman]

Also you must know what in Linux are many programs that can be used vice windows software: audio-video players and editors, text and graphic editors, cd records and much much more. There aren't unreplaceabled programs)) When you sooner been declined from windows then you sooner been enjoying Linux at all its facilities! Not you first not you last at this. Good luck!

[GOTHBITES]

Hello Duderanch

Johnboy does have an excellent point of Like all of the others here. but dual booting  as in having two Operating systems on one computer would be IMO the easiest way of assimilating to the Linux environment.  Just a word of caution when you choose the best way for yourself please don't hesitate to ask for help.  And look to youtube for educational tips and tricks  

Heres a link to such a video

How To Dual Boot Windows And Linux

also a cool thing to do here is place your specs of the computer you are using  in the signature of your profile which directly below all the post here for easier reference

[Ray2047]

Sometimes the explanations for how to use Wine are a lot more complicated then actually using it. I avoided using Wine for a long time because I would get lost in the explanation. I'm a bit of a fanatic about Freecell Pro. Just nothing equivalent in Linux which seems to copy MS Freecell. Just on a whim I downloaded it, unzipped, and clicked on the exc. Dang it just worked no problem. Surprised the ever loving daylights out of me.

[thorper]

Also, how do I get additional programs/applications to use with a Linux OS?  Is there a main website?

Additional applications are found in Synaptic, you will have come across this if you followed the link posted by russell.eberhardt. Keep your install up to date by following the detailed procedure. This is important if you are going to install additional software.

Synaptic lists applications both alphabetically and in sections so you should have no problem finding something of interest. If you need an application and you don;t see anything that you can use then just post your question on the forum and someone will point you in the right direction. Installing applications from outside the PCLOS repositories is discouraged.

Reading your initial post suggests to me that you are completely new to Linux, so 1 tip to remember is never log on to the internet using your root account, even while installing new applications.

Enjoy your stay with PCLOS and welcome

[RPsx94]

I tried to use WINE but it seems to be too complicated for my simple mind. 

I found dual-booting was the easiest method to "have my cake and eat it too".

[Georgetoon]

I started out in Linux dual booting. (I still dual boot on my laptop for purposes of having Windows for the office.)  Over time, I've fallen way from dual boot on my home systems and simply installed Virualbox and then Windows XP in VB.

I now run PCLinuxOS andwhen I need Quickbooks, I  boot up VB and then log into Windows. i can then launchQuickbooks. With enough memory and processing power, there's absolutely no change in performance.  In fact, Window runs FASTER in VirtualBox because I'm not using it to surf the internet, so no fear of becoming infected. wihoutthe fatru of virus attack, I don't need to install antivirus, etc.  Windows XP is safely running inside Linux.

Plus, when I upgraded my system, the folks up here helped me, through instruction, on how to move my Virtualbox file from the old system to the new system. so, there was no need to re-install Windows and all its applications. I just moved one VB file.

So, I would try dual boot first. Once you've got the hang of Linux, then go for a VirtualBox install and run Windows inside Linux. It's faster, safer and simply better.

[arjaybe]

OP said they wanted to play games in Windows.  How well does that work in VB?

[Georgetoon]

OP said they wanted to play games in Windows.  How well does that work in VB?

I've never run games in Windows in VB.  I have run DVD players, accounting software, graphics editing software....absolutely no problem.  I did this on my old system with 1 gig of RAM and an AMD dual core processor.

i now run a quad core processor and 4 gis of RAM.  Performance is improved 100 percent.

I would think games would be no problem.

[Crow]

As georgetoon I began dual booting because there was a couple of win programs I needed for work (and many games in my case), a few months ago I found the apps being supported in WINE, I'm trying to decide if I'll keep Virtual Box for MS Office 2007, probably not.

There are many games which doesn't run in WINE some run but has flaws like being unable to keep your saves, Virtual box is not good for hardware demanding games, see, windows is a toy OS, keep your dual booting and use it for playing.