The importance of the WINE project

Keywords: Match:

A guest column by Roland (Jan. 22, 2002)

In this guest column, a DesktopLinux.com reader makes the case that the WINE Project offers one of the most effective means available to expand the use of Linux as a replacement for MS Windows on the desktop. The author recommends that individuals and companies who want Linux to succeed on the desktop ought to make supporting the WINE Project a high priority, and suggests some companies to contact. This article originated as a "letter to the editor" to DesktopLinux.com. It is being published here as a "guest column" with permission of the writer . . .

The importance of the WINE project
I'm sure you guys at DesktopLinux.com are well aware of the WINE project. To put it short it is a Windows emulation that runs on Linux. Once WINE is complete, any MS-Windows program will be able to run on Linux. The point is, I think not enough effort is put into this project. That's why I'm mailing you. My hope is that I can convince you and others of the importance of this project in order to speed it up a lot.

First of all, I want to make clear why I think that this project is so important: I think nothing will increase the value and popularity of Linux as much, as being able to run all MS-win apps. This is because for many people the main reason for not changing OS, is that Linux still doesn't run the specific apps that those people need. So the answer is WINE. One Idea would be to spread the word among Linux user groups all over the world, in the hope to find more volunteers for WINE. Another idea would be to reach big corporations like IBM, that has a 1 billion dollar commitment to Linux. If IBM would invest 10 Million of that billion on WINE, I'm sure that we could have a significant speed up of development.

I know you know about Lindows. Many think that they have just put together a Linux system with a better WINE to make their OS. If they succeed it is possible that they will soon be the biggest Linux distributor on the world. So investing in WINE should also be in the interest of ALL Linux distributors like Red Hat, Mandrake, etc. Remember that WINE is NOT GPLed, but rather is under a BSD-style license. That means that any company can take the sources, make a better product out of it, and sell it. That's probably what Lindows is doing.

Some people will complain that we should invest in native Linux apps, instead of an emulator. My counter to them is that, in the long run, this is what will happen: if WINE runs, Linux will be widely adopted. Once Linux has a big market share, a lot of companies will start producing native Linux apps also. In other words, the number of apps is more a function of market share than anything else. If we increase the market share, more apps for Linux will be written. Hoping for the apps to be here first in order to increase market share is wishful thinking.

What do you think about my points? I would like to hear your honest feedback. Who else do you think that I should contact, although I'm sure that there are others probably more qualified than me to do that. Do you know anyone at IBM, SUN, etc., who could help convince their companies to invest on Linux? I have already emailed Scott Handy at IBM, he is one of the big Linux guys there. But so far he has not answered my email.

Talk back! Do you have comments or questions on this article? talkback here

About the author: Roland works as a programmer in Brazil for a small company which uses Linux mainly as a desktop OS for development. The company's servers are currently running OpenBSD or FreeBSD, but may be moved to Linux in the near future. Unfortunately they still have to keep some machines running MS Windows because some very specialized apps they require that don't exist for Linux. Roland's says he is interested to see Linux succeed for three main reasons: (1) it is free; (2) it is the only way he knows to break the current Microsoft monopoly; (3) he likes it.

(Click here for further information)

Approaching the Linux Desktop
The purpose of this paper is to help organizations evaluate the Linux desktop against their own enterprise needs and discover what benefits the Linux desktop might bring to their organizations.

Migrating To Linux: Application Challenges and Solutions
Several solutions exist to help organizations migrate in an orderly fashion from Windows to Linux desktops. This paper establishes the characteristics of an ideal cross-platform solution and reviews these alternatives in light of this ideal standard. The paper takes a closer look at the pros and cons of various solutions and outlines the business benefits that can be achieved.

Linux Advantages: Publicly Available Information on Linux Software
This paper offers a brief summary of readily-available Linux information to help businesses sort out this widely misunderstood operating system.

Top 5 Strategies for Managing Linux
Despite continuous evolution in the manageability of Linux, a 2006 survey cited manageability concerns as a top reason why organizations are hesitating to adopt Linux. Levanta believes Linux can be as manageable, if not more so, than other operating systems by following key strategies. These strategic recommendations were developed from experiences in numerous customer environments, both large and small.

Why Choose Novell for Linux?
This paper outlines the benefits of switching to the Linux platform and choosing Novell as a high-performance, enterprise solution.

Enterprise Linux Selection Guide
Considering moving your enterprise to the Linux operating system? Since there are so many similar versions, choosing the right one can be tough. This paper offers a clear process to help you make an informed decision and get the features, support, and cost that are right for your business and technical needs.

Overcoming Challenges in Managing Linux
Levanta has created a new administration model with innovative technology that breaks down the barriers to making the most of Linux systems. This paper will provide an in-depth look at the workings of Levanta’s product, the first Linux appliance of its kind.

SUSE Linux Enterprise 10 for Retail Businesses
Discover why major retailers have switched to SUSE Linux Enterprise Desktop in the back office. SUSE Linux Enterprise Desktop 10 is a low-cost desktop that offers a complete set of productivity applications and interoperates seamlessly with the other Windows, Macintosh and UNIX desktops in your store.

Moving to a Linux Desktop
Migrating from Windows to Linux on the desktop can be a substantial undertaking because it has the potential for touching -- and perhaps disrupting -- every user in your organization. Unlike a data center (server and infrastructure) migration that is largely transparent to users, the cultural and administrative transitions and environment readiness required to support a Linux desktop migration are extensive.

Seven Good Reasons to Exchange Exchange
This paper describes seven compelling reasons why you should switch from Exchange to Scalix.

Got a HOT tip? please tell us!

ADVERTISEMENT
(Advertise here)

Resource Library

Popular recent stories: • Linux an equal Flash player • Linux, netbooks threaten Microsoft's fat profits • gOS 3.0 goes gold • Browser swallows OS • Lenovo denies ditching Linux • Lightweight, Linux-compatible browser evolves • GNOME 2.24 gains "Empathy" IM • Review: Pardus Linux • Ubuntu to fund Linux development • Ubuntu "Intrepid Ibex" available All-time Classics: • Choosing a desktop Linux distro • Banshee -- the next best thing to Linux iTunes • Running World of Warcraft on Ubuntu • A simple Linux backup method • The Best Free Desktop Linux . . . and how to make it better • Linux-powered Asus Eee PC mini-laptop arrives • The well-tempered Debian desktop • Lenovo launches a netbook • What's the best Linux for beginners? • Getting to know Puppy Linux • Xandros 4: The best desktop Linux for Windows users • VirtualBox: The best virtualization program you've never heard of Linux-Watch headlines: • Amid controversy, Microsoft launches open source foundation • As open source surges, Microsoft admits Linux threat • Open source lobbying group emerges • Open source Linux device drivers submitted by -- Microsoft? • Google names Chrome OS partners • Google's new OS marries Linux and Chrome • Debian plans draw sharp warning from GNU guru • OpenSource World announces keynote speakers • Linux 2.6.30 gets new filesystems • Intel to buy Wind River for $884 million Join our Desktop Linux discussion forums: • Moving to Linux • Linux/Windows debate! • Linux Q&A . . . and more	Visit the...

BREAKING NEWS

• ABI's Jeffrey Orr on rising Linux netbook sales
• Moblin v2.1 goes beta, adds 3G support
• Linux owns 32 percent of netbook market, says study
• Skype working on open source VoIP UI
• Ubuntu 9.10 final ships as IBM spins Ubuntu-based cloud distro
• CentOS rev's to version 5.4, tries on KVM
• Fedora 12 optimized for Atom-powered netbooks
• Puppy Linux 4.3 gains bugfix, rave reviews
• Hulu comes to Linux
• Reviews praise Ubuntu 9.10, knock Ubuntu Moblin Remix
• Mandriva 2010 goes for the full Moblin
• Gentoo-based distro rev'd to version 5.0
• Karmic Koala beta ships, praised for fast boots
• OpenSUSE 11.2 poised for release
• Moblin v2.0 ships, appears on Dell netbook

Linux Netbooks

Linux smartphones!

news feed

Or, follow us on Twitter...

Home \| News \| Articles \| Forum \| Polls \| About \| Contact

	Ziff Davis Enterprise Home \| Contact Us \| Advertise \| Link to Us \| Reprints \| Magazine Subscriptions \| Newsletters Tech RSS Feeds \| White Papers \| ROI Calculators \| Tech Podcasts \| Tech Video \| VARs \| Channel News
	Baseline \| Careers \| Channel Insider \| CIO Insight \| DesktopLinux \| DeviceForge \| DevSource \| eSeminars \| eWEEK \| Enterprise Network Security \| LinuxDevices \| Linux Watch \| Microsoft Watch \| Mid-market \| Networking \| PDF Zone \| Publish \| Security IT Hub \| Strategic Partner \| Web Buyer's Guide \| Windows for Devices
	Developer Shed \| Dev Shed \| ASP Free \| Dev Articles \| Dev Hardware \| SEO Chat \| Tutorialized \| Scripts \| Code Walkers \| Web Hosters \| Dev Mechanic \| Dev Archives \| igrep
Use of this site is governed by our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. Except where otherwise specified, the contents of this site are copyright © 1999-2008 Ziff Davis Enterprise Holdings Inc. All Rights Reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission of Ziff Davis Enterprise is prohibited. Linux is a registered trademark of Linus Torvalds. All other marks are the property of their respective owners.

Home \| News \| Articles \| Forum \| Polls \| About \| Contact

	Ziff Davis Enterprise Home \| Contact Us \| Advertise \| Link to Us \| Reprints \| Magazine Subscriptions \| Newsletters Tech RSS Feeds \| White Papers \| ROI Calculators \| Tech Podcasts \| Tech Video \| VARs \| Channel News
	Baseline \| Careers \| Channel Insider \| CIO Insight \| DesktopLinux \| DeviceForge \| DevSource \| eSeminars \| eWEEK \| Enterprise Network Security \| LinuxDevices \| Linux Watch \| Microsoft Watch \| Mid-market \| Networking \| PDF Zone \| Publish \| Security IT Hub \| Strategic Partner \| Web Buyer's Guide \| Windows for Devices
	Developer Shed \| Dev Shed \| ASP Free \| Dev Articles \| Dev Hardware \| SEO Chat \| Tutorialized \| Scripts \| Code Walkers \| Web Hosters \| Dev Mechanic \| Dev Archives \| igrep
Use of this site is governed by our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. Except where otherwise specified, the contents of this site are copyright © 1999-2008 Ziff Davis Enterprise Holdings Inc. All Rights Reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission of Ziff Davis Enterprise is prohibited. Linux is a registered trademark of Linus Torvalds. All other marks are the property of their respective owners.