Run Windows Apps On Linux - Wine 1.0 Released

Run Windows Apps On Linux - Wine 1.0 Released
20-Jun-2008

Now, and this might invalidate my opinions on the matter, but i haven't actually ever used Wine. (!) Mainly because I've had nothing I've desperately needed to run on Linux that doesn't already, but when i do need Photoshop i switch to Windows, or when i need to work on anything document related i fire up my Mac for iWorks.

That's kinda a moot point however, because i would love to be able to run Photoshop on my Linux desktop and save having to restart and log in to Vista just to change a layer in a graphic etc and one of the most asked question by newbies to Linux is "how do i run a Windows program on Linux?"

This is where the first 'stable' release of Wine for Linux comes to the front!

For those who don't know what Wine is, Wine is a software application that provides the necessary 'framework' for Windows Applications to run on Linux systems without the need to have Windows installed. Which is pretty neat!
It's been knocking about for a while now, but this is the first 'stable' release, meaning it's not gonna flake out as much as previous versions and is going to likely work with more Window's apps than ever before!

If there are any Linuxers who haven't yet heard of 'Wine' then i ask: "Are you still using Mandrake?!"

There are a few drawbacks to using Wine however, because not every Windows application runs seamlessly through it and a lot don't work at all. Why would they? they were built for Windows after all! On the flip side, some applications not only run fine under wine but some run better on Linux than they would natively on a Windows system! +1!

Bizarrely, Wine's original purpose was to provide a compatibility layer for office applications. With 'OpenOffice' being able to handle Microsoft Office files, this is less of a concern and the most popular use of the tool today is for users who want to play Windows games on Linux systems.

So, below are some of my picks for Wine that work with out much of a hitch.

Photoshop CS2

You've heard of Adobe Photoshop, right? The popular graphics editing package works flawlessly on Linux with all features working. Cs3 is known to also work as well however there is an installation issue, so cs2 is the recommended.

Photoshop often comes top of the "which apps can't you live without on Linux" type lists, and it often claimed to be the one programme stopping large numbers of people switching entirely to Linux! Google is even funding development into making Photoshop work natively on Linux!

What works: Everything.
What doesn't: Nothing.

Alternative:
Nothing beats Adobe's Photoshop but
The Gimp gives as good as it can.

Call Of Duty 2 (1.00)

'Call of Duty® 2' is the critically acclaimed follow up to 'Call Of Duty' and although it may not be the latest version in the franchise, 'Call Of Duty 2' is still considered by many critics to be an incredible game.

What works: Multiplayer which Runs a lot faster than it does on Windows!
What doesn't: DirectX 9 mode, does not crash game but it only displays as DirectX 7. Sound is of lower quality than on Windows.

Pick up a demo of Call Of Duty 2 at CNET via here.

Adobe DreamWeaver 8

Okay, so it's not the most recent version, but Dreamweaver 8.0 is known to work awesomely under Wine, and probably has all the functionality you need to create awesome sites and work on other web related activities.

What works: Everything... kinda.
What doesn't: Some noted errors involving uploading file upon save. Depends on FTP host.

Alternative: 'Nvu'

Dance eJay 2

Okay, so this one is a bit on the ancient side, but can often be picked up for cheap or for nothing at all! eJay is dance music creation software that lets you build great tracks via a simple 'drag and drop' method using it's packaged loops and effects editors. With hundreds of different loops for Bass, Guitar, Drums, Synths and more, it's a good way to spend a rainy day!

What works: Everything.
What doesn't: Nothing yet known not to!

Get a Demo version by being brave and clicking here.

iTunes

For those of use who keep user Apples dominant music management-come-player 'iTunes', it can be hard to get accustomed to anything else. Well, never fear being without it as it will run on Linux... mostly!

What works: listen, arrange, sort music; use iTunes store
What doesn't: importing cd's; iPod sync

Alternative: Songbird

MSN Messenger 7.0

As some of the programmes here, this isn't the most recent version of the leading IM client, and there are better programmes out there built for Linux such as Pidgin or aMSN. However, for an authentic MSN experience, you can easily install MSN Messenger 7.0 in Linux under Wine!

What works: Webcam, Emoticons, Widgets, Nudges.. pretty much everything.
What doesn't: Audio calls; Troubleshot assistant; problems with some icons in nicknames.

Grab MSN Messenger 7.0 by clicking here.

Alternatives:
Pidgin or aMSN

Adobe Premier Pro 6.0

Something as heavy duty as Premier isn't going to work optimally under wine on Linux, However, for those used to premier - it's possible to install and do some basic editing. But then you can do basic editing in Kino - which is available in most Linux repository's.

What works: Installing, Running the application. Adding files, basic editing
What doesn't: Video playback is very fragile, it sometimes works.

Alternative: Kino

If you know of any more Windows programmes that you love and that run functionally under wine, let me know and I'll be sure to yell about them here!

There are other ways to run windows applications on your Linux system, and to find out how, check back here very soon!

Also coming up is a 'Linux Newbie Series' - we'll show you how to install Linux onto a USB device or memory card so you can run it without endangering your Window's or Mac systems, show you how to get the best applications, enabling the awesome Compiz Fusion 3d effects that put Vista AND OS X to shame, and also how to get to grips with some of the more off-putting aspects of Linux - namely the Command Line!