Showing posts with label Linux FAQs. Show all posts

Is it possible to run Windows software applications inside Linux?

tux dressed up as a wizard holding a wand with windows logo smoking up

Making a transition from Windows to Linux is never a walk in a park for a new user, specially for a non-technical person. Attracted by the obvious benefits Linux has over Windows users make the switch, but they are left scratching their heads wondering what software to use for the simplest of task. Normally, either people are so used to the Windows applications that they find it very hard to use the Linux alternatives or sometimes they simply are unable to find the right alternative.

So, in order to make this transition easy, Linux developers have came up with some softwares that make Windows software run on Linux. This helps the new user and makes the transition to Linux fairly easy. There are two ways through which you can run your Windows software on Linux:

1. Run a Windows software in a virtual environment

To directly run the windows software under Linux I will recommend the use of Wine for a new user. Wine can be found in the repositories of many major Linux distributions and is very easy to install and run. Once installed on your computer Wine allows the execution of .exe files and you can run Windows applications as if they were installed directly on your Linux Distro.

Just go to you distro's package manager and search for Wine, or visit Wine's Official Website.

2. Run Windows it self in a virtual environment and run the required software on it

It is possible to install Windows inside Linux itself, for this purpose I will recommend the use of VirtualBox, another easily available software which is easy to use for a beginner. Once installed, you can run VirtualBox to create a virtual platform (imaginary computer computer running inside Linux) and can install Windows on it. Later you can do everything you can do on Windows within that virtual system.

For a new user I will suggest the first option as the VirtualBox can be very confusing and hard to set up.

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What is a LiveCD or LiveDistro?

live-cds-of-linu-mint-ubuntu-mandriva-gentoo-fedora-zenwalk

Nearly all of the major Linux Distributions these days provide the option of LiveCD and these distributions are sometimes known as LiveDistros. A LiveCD is a compact disk that can run an entire operating system by itself on a computer system, without altering any other operating system(s) installed on that computer. Booting from a LiveCD allows a user to test the Linux Distribution without making any changes to the existing operating system, hard disk or files. So, if you run a LiveDistro from a LiveCD you will be able to test the corresponding distribution without any fear of harming your previous operating system.

How to get a LiveCD

To get a LiveCD you can visit the website of corresponding distribution and download the ISO file, and burn a compact disk to make a LiveCD. But, if your Internet connection is too slow or you don't want to go through all the mess you can buy a CD either online or from a retailer (Note: the price charged will be the price of the disk and not the distribution as Linux Distributions are free). You can also request a free CD if you don't have enough money to purchase the CD.

Downloading and running a LiveCD

In order to demonstrate, I will take the example of Ubuntu Linux (and recommend to new uers too). To download the Ubuntu LiveCD go to Ubuntu official website and visit the download page. On the download page you will see a prompt to select either your computer is 32-Bit or 64-bit, select one (32-bit recommended) and press the download button. Select a folder to save the file in, start the downloading process, once it is done you are good to go. It is really as simple as that.

Once the downloading of the ISO file is downloaded you will need to burn it on a compact disk. You can use any disk burner for that purpose.

Once you are done with the previous step just insert the disk and restart your PC. You will now boot from the CD, you can try Ubuntu for as long as you like and install it if you wish from the same CD.

Note: If you can't boot from the CD you will have to change your BIOS setting in order to run from the CD drive.

Buy a LiveCD

If you don't want to go through all the trouble of downloading or burning the disk, then you may choose to buy a LiveCD. You can buy a LiveCD either from a local store near you or else you can order it from an online store, my advice is OSDisc.com but you can dig for other online stores as well. Just visit the store's website, follow the instructions, order the CD, once you get your LiveCD, you can boot from it. Now, you are free to explore and install.

Request a Free LiveCD

If you have a slow internet connection or you don't have money to buy a CD, you can request a free Ubuntu LiveCD from Ubuntu Shipit, Delivery can be even slower than your internet connection, so if you are in hurry you may like to try one of the above options. Once you get your CD you can boot from it, try Ubuntu, and install it to use it on permanent basis. If you think this service is useful, I would like to request you to donate to the cause there is a donate option at the end of the Shipit page.

How will a LiveCD help me

The answer to this question is fairly simple and straightforward. A LiveCD can help you in the following ways:

  • No changes to your previous operating system.
  • You can experience the Linux Distribution as it was installed on your computer.
  • If you don't like the Distribution, you can simply remove the CD.

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What is a GNU/Linux Distribution?

Image-of-various-tux-together-with-the-logo-of-different-Linux-Distributions-like-Fedora-Ubuntu-Mint-Open-SUSE-Redhat-CentOS-Mint-Debian-on-their-belly

A GNU/Linux Distribution is an operating system built using the Linux kernel. These Linux Distributions are also simply known as Distros. The GNU/Linux Distributions are made up of Linux Kernel, set of libraries and utilities from the GNU Project System, and tons of softwares applications. While these distributions all have Linux kernel present in their heart but the differences lie in the application softwares they come with, the desktop they use, the installation routines, shells, commands, and administrative tasks.

Since there is no single Linux corporation that can bundle and distribute the Linux kernel along side other operating system essentials, many companies, universities, user groups, communities, and even private individuals take the burden to step up and distribute a completely working Linux operating system called distribution or distro (I find the later one more cool). All these distros have at least one similarity in them and that is the Linux Kernel: which may be considered as an installation platform for simplicity that installs and bundle operating system components like the X-Window system, word processors, games, multimedia softwares, etc.

There are a lot of Linux distros available for use. Some of them target a specific audience, such as businesses, educators, gamers, students, programmers, system administrators, and specific language users. The main difference between these distributions is the softwares that come along side the Linux Kernel, the GUI (Graphical User Interface), and the installer. Some major distributions try to target home users, providing ease of installation, easier GUI, and application softwares that a home user may want to use.

Linux Distributions are free, just like the Linux kernel. They are available for download for from the website of the distributor (like Ubuntu can be download from the Ubuntu website). Once downloaded you will have to burn the downloaded ISO on a CD or DVD. Once properly burning the CD you can now install the distribution from the CD or try it directly (if the Live CD option is available.

As mentioned earlier, most of the distributions provide an option called Live CD. The Live CD allows the user to run the whole operating system right from the CD without altering or disturbing the system. The Live CD can be used to try and test the system and is a great option for the new users to see if they can get a hang of Linux and test various distros to see which one suits them the best.

The availability of so many distros may some time overwhelm a new user. But, this is the beauty of Linux, Freedom and Choice. Linux is like ice-cream, so many flavors to pick from, and the best thing is they are all free to try and use.

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What is Linux?

Tux-Hatching-Out-of-an-Egg

If you are reading this (which I am sure you are) then you must be aware of what a computer does, you know how to surf web, how to play music and movies on your computer, create documents, play games, and manage your files. But, you may (or may not be) aware of the fact that your computer cannot accomplish any of these useful tasks without the help of an operating system.

Your computer is not even capable of running web browsers, music players, and word processors etc., if the operating system does not tell it how to. So, without a doubt an operating system is one of the most important component of the computer system. You must have heard of and used at least one of the many operating systems like, Microsoft Windows, Mac OS X, and LINUX.

This is where problem starts a normal computer users usually haven't even heard of Linux or they confuse it to be an operating system. Linux is just an operating system kernel: an operating system component that acts as a bridge between processes at hardware level and software applications. So, Linux is a kernel and is a piece (the most important piece) of the jigsaw called operating system and not the operating system itself.

Now, this will leave you wondering how a system loaded with Linux works if Linux is not an operating system. The truth is Linux comes loaded with GNU Operating System and tons of other free open-source applications to make a complete package called a GNU/Linux Distribution. This GNU/Linux Distribution is mistakenly called a Linux Distribution or simply Linux. Which I really don't mind because these Distributions were made famous under the name of Linux and confusing the whole thing is just natural more than ignorance.

So, if you want to use Linux on your system you will have to install a Linux Distribution on you computer. A Linux Distribution is a full featured operating system that can do everything that any other operating system can do. You can watch movies, listen to your favorite music, surf the internet, etc.

So, the next question popping up in your mind will be, why would I make a switch to Linux if it does exact same things that my current operating system does. Well, Linux just doesn't just do the similar stuff, it does it with some added value. Explaining the “added value”, I will first mention that Linux is FREE (absolutely free) with no charges at all, Linux is virus free, Linux is more secure than any other operating system, Linux does not crash, and yes any software application you will ever use on Linux will be available for free.

As much as Linux seems pretty a very attractive option in the last paragraph, one wonders why the world ain't already converting to it. The answer is they are, yes for previous many year more and more desktop computer users are shifting towards Linux. But, this number is very small and a major reason to that is lack of awareness and lack of guide. But, as more are more people will know the advantages of Linux over other operating systems, the Linux user base will only increase.

Got more questions about Linux? Read the following:
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