A Window into Windows: Linux Options

If you have used linux for any length in time, you might have noticed one of it's greatest fallbacks: compatability with Windows. The fact is that developers develop for Windows, and the linux crowd has to bend over backwards to use the software. In my case, I see this struggle every day with games of all kinds. I have also heard of artists complaining about limited access to adequate art programs or doctors using Windows-only technology. Though many companies are finally starting to back linux, it will still be at least a decade before any big paradigm shifts occur in the OS world. We will be stuck with Windows fore a while, that's for sure.

What do we do about it? Well, we find work arounds for the programs we need. Generally, there are four options:

1. Open-Source equivalents

2. Compatability Layers

3. Virtualization Environments

4. Dual-Booting

I will cover each in brief detail:

Using Open Source Equivalents

In many cases, linux communities from all around have created their own version of a necessary programs. For a simple 2-D art program, for example, there is GIMP, which also has it's own photoshop varient, and for 3-D modeling, there is Blender. Both of these projects have very well-done examples that prove they are equivalent to their closed-source brethren in almost every way. I am not an artist, but after using them for a bit, I feel I have become used to them and would love to do some more difficult projects with them in the future. That being said, open source equivalents are often different than their closed cousins and may take a little more time to get used to. 

These are, of course, just two examples of many. Your best bet to finding the open source equivalent to the software you want is to do a quick google search about it. Still, in some cases, like if you are an artist or a gamer, the open source equivalents are just not what you want. If that's the case, you should look into more complicated solutions.

Using Windows Compatability Layers

Most distributions nowadays come with a software package known as WINE somewhere in their software center. This is essentially a Windows emulation tool that allows linux-users to use many Windows programs while still on their linux desktop. In most cases, the application works fairly well and the software is usable, but not always as usable as in Windows natively. That being said, WINE is completely patchable and definitely worth a shot with whatever software you are looking for. 

Virtualization

In some cases, neither the open source varients or WINE are good enough. In these cases, you can use a virtualization environment, such as Virtualbox of VMWare, to run Windows inside of linux. These programs work by allowing Windows to leech off your RAM and act as if it were running outside of linux. If you have enough RAM, this might be a good option for you.

Alternatively, you could set up a Windows PC as a remote desktop server and access it with remote desktop applications like rdesktop or remmina. This solution is a little messier than standard virtualization, as it requires another system to be already running Windows somewhere over the rainbow, but it is certainly an available option.


Dual Booting

If all other solutions have failed you, you can always reboot your system into Windows when necessary to use the appropraite software. This is a pretty simple option and is used frequently for linux gamers who need as much performance as they get.


Even though developers do not often develop for linux, most of the time necessary software is available for us to use in some fashion. If you are currently using Windows and thinking about switching to linux, know that your favorite programs are mostly usable and that you do not have to be rid of your Windows installation completely. Ease yourself into the OS and get used to how it works first. If you like it, keep it. If you don't like it, stick to Windows. Whatever the case, do what makes sense for you.

Thanks for reading,
-Leios