Linked by Thom Holwerda on Tue 5th May 2009 22:04 UTC
Many Linux users have experience with Wine, the application compatibility layer which allows some Windows programs to run on UNIX-like machines. During Ubuntu's Open Week event, Mark Shuttleworth was asked about Wine, and how important he believes it is for the success of Ubuntu.
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Member since:
2005-07-06
I see what you mean, however many people have already invested in software on Windows and wine seems to be a good transitioning tool.
The only Windows software I use are games (Mostly outdated ones). Ubuntu suits my needs for everything else so it makes sense to use Wine.
Windows 7 has a XP mode for business to ease the transition. XP and Vista has compatibility modes.
Mac OS X had classic mode, then Rosetta.
And Linux has Wine.
There are also other points about Linux that we have probably all read at some point about how there are different package formats and tools (RPM and Yum, DEB and apt-get). Mac OS X and Risc OS seem to have it right with dragging 1 file over.
Again it is more of a transitioning tool as native applications provide a better experience, wine has the potential to stop the "chicken and egg" cycle as developers do not want to put time into Linux due to user base size and many do not use Linux as their invested software does not run.
Wine being behind Windows is not a entirely bad thing. If it was completely up to date why not just develop for Wine?
Edited 2009-05-06 18:06 UTC