On Tue, Dec 30, 2003 at 09:11:25AM -0500, Ruthie Gaskins wrote: > I just want to know if my son installs Debian on his computer (it > currnetly has no operating system ) is it windows compatible
Not as such, no. You can't run Windows programs on Debian directly, and you can't run Debian programs on Windows directly. There's a program called WINE in Debian which allows you to run some Windows programs, but this is a very difficult job and it's not 100% reliable. For general-purpose software (word processing, graphics, programming, and the like), your son would probably be best off finding native-to-Debian programs that he likes for those tasks; there are certainly plenty around. One-of-a-kind programs (notoriously games) may be a different matter, although some game developers are beginning to release Linux versions. > and if he doesn't like it can he install windows over it? Yes, he can. It's also possible to "dual-boot" - install both operating systems in different regions of the hard disk and choose between them at boot time. > There is no operating system on his computer at all right now and has > never had one..it is new mother board and hard drive.. Sounds like an ideal opportunity to try out Debian, then! :-) Cheers, -- Colin Watson [EMAIL PROTECTED]
