| Why we need Windows apps ported on Linux |
by Steven J. Vaughan-Nichols (Jan. 27, 2006)
Novell has had one of those amazingly simple ideas that make you ask: "Why didn't I think of that?" The Linux vendor is using its Cool Solutions community-relations website to conduct an online public survey to determine which Windows-only applications people want to run on their Linux systems.
Yes, this kind of survey has been done before, but to the best of my knowledge, no major Linux vendor has ever done it. It's one thing when Linux Lovers of Outer Mongolia puts together a survey; it's another thing entirely when a billion-dollar software company does it.
And, better still, Novell will be approaching ISVs (independent software vendors) with this information in hand saying, "See, here's your customers, now, how about doing some porting?"
With some luck, we may finally, finally, get some more Windows-specific desktop software ported to Linux. It's no longer much of a problem on the Linux server side of life.
Unless someone must have a Microsoft program on their server, I really can't think of any serious server-side program that either doesn't already run on Linux or has a major competitor that's already beaten it to the Linux server market.
It's another story on the desktop. Even Corel, which used to have WordPerfect on Linux and a Linux of its own (which is the foundation of the Xandros distribution), isn't interested anymore.
We need something to get the ISVs moving.
In addition, we need those "must have" applications running natively on Linux.
Yes, you can run Windows applications on Linux with programs like Wine, or its commercial big-brother Crossover Office. Or, you can run Windows and Linux together with Win4Lin.
I do it myself all the time. All of my Linux desktops have either Crossover or Win4Lin on them.
Heck, I've been using Microsoft operating system emulators and virtual machines for Unix for longer than Linux has been around. I wrote my first review of DOS on Unix systems using Interactive Systems' VP/ix and Locus' Merge, for Computer Shopper back in 1990.
Today, I use them because there are some Windows-based programs that I haven't been able to get rid of. These are Quicken for my finances, Internet Explorer for a vexing CMS (content management system) that won't work with Firefox, and Dreamweaver for my more advanced Web design work.
Yes, I could use Moneydance, which runs on Linux, Windows, and Mac OS, but I use a lot of Quicken-specific functionality to download information from numerous online accounts. For me, Quicken is a must.
As for Internet Explorer, trust me, if I could kill that CMS, I would, but I can't, so I'm stuck with it for now. Finally, while Nvu is a great little open-source Web-authoring tool, it's not up to dealing with some of my more convoluted Web designs.
So, since I use CrossOver or Win4Lin, why do I want these must-have programs to run natively on Linux? Because, simply running Windows applications on Linux doesn't help the Linux desktop in the long run.
Also, the whole idea of running Windows on Linux has two fundamental flaws. The first is that no one can keep up with Microsoft's changes to its operating system and APIs. No virtual machine, no emulator, can run the latest Windows and its applications as well as Microsoft's native system running on a standalone machine.
So, for the vast majority of people, knowing that some, but not all, Windows applications can run perfectly fine on a Linux box isn't going to bring them over. They'll stick with Windows.
Another problem is that by spending all this time and energy in trying to play catch-up with Microsoft on its own playing field, there's less resources available to invest in native open source Linux applications. Every minute spent copycatting Microsoft's operating system and APIs is a minute that could have been spent on Linux application development.
No, we need what Novell is doing. We need a major software vendor to go to the other vendors and say, "See, there is a market here. You can make money here." Then, and only then, will we see AutoCAD, Quicken or iTunes running on Linux.
You can find out more about Novell's suvey of most-wanted desktop Linux applications, here.
 About the author: Ziff Davis Internet senior editor Steven J. Vaughan-Nichols has been using and writing about technology and business since the late '80s and thinks he may just have learned something about them along the
way.
Do you have comments on this story?
Talkback here
NOTE: Please post your comments regarding our articles using the above link. Be sure to use this article's title as the "Subject" in your posts. Before you create a new thread, please check to see if a discussion thread is already running on the article you plan to comment on. Thanks!
Related stories:
(Click here for further information)
|
|
|
7 Advantages of D2D Backup
For decades, tape has been the backup medium of choice. But, now, disk-to-disk (D2D) backup is gaining in favor. Learn why you should make the move in this whitepaper.
4 Legal Reasons to Control Internet Access
The Internet is obviously a valuable resource for many organizations. However, many are exposed to legal liability concerns because they fail to control Internet access. Learn if you're safe in this white paper.
Rapidly Resolve J2EE Application Problems
Whether you are in the process of building J2EE applications or have J2EE applications already running in production, you must ensure that they deliver the expected ROI. Learn how in this white paper.
Load Testing 2.0 for Web 2.0
There are many unknowns in stress testing Web 2.0 applications. Find out how to test the performance of Web 2.0 in this white paper.
Build Better Games Online
For the game infrastructure providers, life is complex. Making money from games has become more complicated. Why? Find out in this white paper.
Building a Virtual Infrastructure from Servers to Storage
This white paper discusses the virtual storage solutions that reduce cost, increase storage utilization, and address the challenges of backing up and restoring Server environments.
Gaining Faster Wireless Connections with WiMAX
Welcome to what is quickly becoming the hyperconnected world where anything that would benefit from being connected to the network will be connected. Learn more in this white paper.
Is Your Desktop a Security Threat?
The new wave of sophisticated crimeware not only targets specific companies, but also targets desktops and laptops as backdoor entryways into those business’ operations and resources. Learn how to stay safe in this white paper.
Increasing SAN Reliability by 100 Percent
Storage area networks (SAN) are a strong part of storage plans. Learn how to increase your reliability and uptime by 100 percent in this case study.
|
|
|
|
|
news feed