Linux and WinE - speed, stability, compatibility?

[howdy11078]

Hi.
I want to make the switch from Windows to Linux, but I have a lot of programs that are written with Windows in mind (e.g. MathCAD 2000, MS Office 2000).

If I use WinE, or some other Windows Emulator, will the programs for Windows run under Linux with the same speed and stability? And are there types of programs that will not run under Linux using WinE?

Thanks. I am trying to weigh the costs and benefits of switching to Linux. Any advice is greatly appreciated. Also, I am not that fond of using a dual-boot configuration or LiLo to load a partitioned Windows.

 

[FOBSIDE]

the wine web page has a list of programs its supported and users rate the programs. most of the microsoft stuff has 5's. if youre worried about a specific program not being supported you might want to try vmware which emulates the whole windows platform so you should be able to run anything. im not sure about the stability or speed of vmware tho.

 

[howdy11078]

Thanks, FOBSIDE.
But, is the WinE webpage WinE Headquarters or were you referring to a different site? Thanks for your help.

 

[kylef]

Using an emulator to use Windows software is a losing battle. You're bound to run into quirks under an emulated environment which might never crop up in a full Wintel package.

Many folks will try to tell you that their software became "more stable" when they switched to the emulator, but what they're not telling you is that many features and functions cease to work properly. And you will never receive any sort of support for software if it's running through an emulator.

IMHO, if you use Windows software heavily, stick with Windows. The operating system's job should be a transparent way of getting applications to the user. If you want to run MS Office, then stick with Windows. If you want to switch to Linux applications, then great, switch to Linux.

But if you're committed to your Windows apps, and you don't have time to learn some of the nitty-gritty details of a Unix operating system, it's not worth the switch.

Kyle

 

[Chuck]

Just duel boot. Get the best of both worlds. (or get two PC's like me).

 

[BCYL]

<<Just duel boot. >>

Agreed. Most popular Linux distros (eg. Mandrake, RH) make this very easy to do anyways...