Linux and Windows simulation techniques
Linux and Windows simulation techniques
Linux has existed for a long time, and so have tools that mimic Windows or Microsoft environments. Will Wine or PlayOnLinux eventually become fully part of Linux, allowing you to run Windows apps natively on Linux? If yes, what makes you believe people haven’t achieved this before? (Assuming it hasn’t been done smoothly in the past.)
Part of the problem though is that the GNU/Linux community would very much like you to avoid this situation altogether with apps that can perform the same function. Granted, there may be some apps that will never be ported over but are vital, but these are few and far between. Also it shouldn't be integrated in Linux. It should not be touching the kernel. There's no good reason why an OS emulation layer should be in the kernel.
Emulation generally won't completely substitute authentic experiences. In numerous situations it's nearly sufficient, yet not perfect. Important software isn't always covered, and specialized tools remain exclusive to Windows, making even WINE insufficient. For instance, the 2D art program Paint Tool Sai often has pen pressure issues on Linux.
I support alternatives such as Libre rather than Word. I believe integrating it into the kernel isn't necessary. I’m unsure about how Linux handles its core components deeply, but I think allowing Windows apps to run from the kernel would increase virus risks significantly. My idea leans toward Ubuntu or Mint enabling direct use of internet-based programs like Audacity without setup—just launch them instantly. I understand Audacity has a Linux version, though I meant that if you get the Windows version, it could work on emulated Windows without issues.
Assuming Windows 10 works well without activation, for Linux users who still require Windows, consider running it in a virtual machine.
Most definitely. Emulation couldn't ever replace the real deal any day of the week. Even playing windows XP games with compatibility on windows 10 feels a bit less authentic. That's one of the greatest tradgedies of the Wine emulation. I have so many old games I'd love to play, but they're windows 98 and windows XP. In a way my old games are like your niche software-never to be emulated 100% authentically on Linux. (Presuming it even CAN be emulated.)
That is a nice concept to consider, however I don't have the technical knowledge to figure out the VM softwares to get windows 10, let alone a Linux OS functioning in a VM. The idea of virtualizing Windows 10 is a very strong point seeing that if it truly is 99% functional, you should be able to run all windows software on Linux in a windows VM. I personally think it'd get to people to have to start up oracle VM, or VM ware (or whatever else) every time you turn on the computer waiting for the VM to also then startup. I'm curious if it's possible to do what Dosbox does. I don't know if Wine starts up a Windows emulator and then opens the program, but (shadow warrior 1, not remastered is free on steam with dosbox pre-configured) I'm curious if Wine, (or another emulator) could startup the emulator then open the program just like Dosbox does. Side note: Dosbox starts up really quick, so it's not as if you're waiting for the computer to turn on, log in and start all the services, so I'm curious if that can/has been done in such a refined way. I know wine works somewhat similarly, however I've seen a lot of configuration being required whenever watching a tutorial.
DOSBox runs fast since it operates in DOS, requiring minimal setup. Most tasks are simple to load or prepare. For virtual machines, there may be limitations because apps run on a virtual disk. You can use VirtualBox’s seamless mode so guest OS applications blend with the host environment. Just keep the VM running; it uses only RAM and has negligible effect when idle.
I'm unsure how much smoother Wine can become. On Fedora you can simply double-click an .exe or .msi file to set up your program, and it will show up in Gnome just like any other app. It functions well with many programs without needing extra setup. Regarding components such as .net that need workarounds, this issue won't disappear soon because it's not a genuine Windows setup and Microsoft doesn't plan to include their .net runtime in Wine. The DLLs often don't cover all official features and require you to manually add the correct ones, which is still happening due to licensing rules and the fact that unofficial versions are built through reverse engineering. Apps that rely heavily on OS-level hooks for DRM or user control also face similar challenges, as they aren't running in a true Windows environment.