"Ian Perry" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > Is it possible to run Microsoft Windows Apps (such as Excel etc) in XWindows > or is there a utility which allows this ?
1) Wine (http://packages.debian.org/stable/otherosfs/wine.html) is an open-source project, to implement the Windows API's in Linux. It is still in alpha/beta stage, and not all Windows software packages run under Wine yet. Probably popular software like microsoft Office will run under wine. Advantages: a) Open source, free, b) Windows itself is not needed c) Economical on resources. Disadvantage: Still in pre-release stadium. Not all Windows applications can run under Wine. I tried Wine, but it cannot yet run the software that is important for me (ACT, NeuroModel). 2) VMware (www.VMware.com) implements virtual Intel computers within a computer running Linux or Windows. The virtual computers can run Windows or other operating systems. Advantages: Seems to work very well. Very flexible (capable to run many OS'es at the same time in a single computer). Disadvantages: a) Not open-source, b) very resource-hungry, c) costs money, d) Microsoft Windows Installation kit is necessary and must be installed in the virtual machine. I tried VMWare and found that it worked well, but that it was too resource-hungy for me. 3) Win4Lin (www.win4lin.com) enables to run Windows 95 or 98 within Linux. Advantages: a) Seems to work very well, b) Much more economical on resources than VMware is. Disadvantages: a) Not open-source, costs money, b) Does not explicitly support Debian (but the help-desk is very helpful in solving Debian related problems), c) There is a need to patch and recompile the kernel, d) Microsoft Windows Installation kit is necessary and must be installed. I tried win4lin, found that it worked well, and decided to buy it. An important consideration for buying was, that their E-mail helpdesk provided prompt and adequate answers on questions. Regards, Paul Huygen
