KalNet Message Board

Homey B has given me permission to relay what the lil' secret Linux project was:

Win4Lin

What is it? Essentially, it allows you to install Win95, 98, or Me as an app within Linux. Linux handles all the hardware calls and when Win crashes, you just close the app and reopen it (ie. no reboot necessary). The best part is that there is virtually no performance difference in running Win4Lin compared to running the app just in Windows. In fact, Windows doesn't even recognize it's been reduced to just a "mere" app.

So how does it work? Despite what Microsoft has been telling you, Windows is just a GUI that runs on top of DOS (dun, dun, daaaaa). All the Win4Lin people did was change the DOS part to Linux (ie. the best of both worlds). Essentially, Win4Lin makes it so that you get the abilities of Windows and ALL the advantages of Linux (on a side note, there are those who think MS could have the best of both worlds if they released a GUI and install for Linux. Essentially, it would be Win4Lin to the fullest. Thankfully, MS is too arrogant for this to happen and competition in the computing world lives on).

So what's the catch for us? Two things. 1). Direct X. Unfortunately, they haven't found a way to solve the Direct X problem in this release (ie. games require this and won't run). However, they're talking about releasing the next version with rudimentary support so that the early generation games will run. 2). NT kernel. While not a problem for me, since 2000, XP, and NT all run off a highly modified kernel Win4Lin won't work with them. Though, what with all the 98/etc. issues addressed with Win4Lin, these distributions become unnecessary.

Wanna a more in depth look at it?

http://www.sudhian.com/showdocs.cfm?aid=323&pid=1178


Want proof of its uses? Here's our very own Homey B's desktop running on his Phoenix gaming machine:




Since he maximized or trimmed them (I'm not sure which), here's a shot from Sudhian.



Here you can clearly see that WinME is just an app that one can close if they wish. Read the article to see all the apps he could run. More screenshots of Homey B's Linux desktop running Win4Lin should follow.

Essentially, Win4Lin fixed Window's faults for us and are working on the last few bugs (ie. games). Now, I am making this announcement because I found this for Homey B and he gave the privilege to me. But in a cruel twist, I'll tell you this is only Part 1 of things to come


Tux support is growing, people. Join the wave or be left behind.


Credit:

-netraverse (makers of Win4Lin)
-sudhian
-Homey B of PimpX and his Phoenix gaming machine
-Kal Bob and KalShadow Tech Enterprises (yeah, yeah--I'm padding the article )
-Homey V (for not spilling the secret)
-Clan RaVeN (fer me, of course )

I am playing with something to get all Win32 games to run in Linux. More to come net week.

Damn, sorry Jew i did not mean to cut the top's off. I can send the full ones to you.

Now if you can convince me and show me the ease at the next big lan that Linux is better and just as easy to use then I might consider it.

I think we should have a demonstration at the next smackdown of installing linux.

See i have no problem with window in the first place. I will not change because i dont have to. Umm why if you love linix so much want to put windows on it in the first place thats the question that i would like awsered. its ether Linix all the way or windows all the way. By putting windows on linix as even a app you are saying that widows infackt ant that bad of a op and well im still gona have it on my comp.

Actually this is kinda cool

But that's just it. It's not really windows--it's just the windows GUI mostly. It's for those people who just really like the way Windows looks. It's also for those you are too stubborn to change to programs that have the same functionality, but are made for Linux (ie. Gimp vs. Photoshop, Open Office vs. MSOffice, etc.)

But if Windows sucks soo much why put any of it on linix. Even as a app. shure it looks the same but then you are still addvertizing windows on your pc.
Hay i have no prob with linix i use it some times but to dis windows all the time and still run it is dumb. Run Linix and only linix then you may bitch and complain all ya want and i will not say a thing i will respect you for your choice and i would apreshiate the same back.

But I don't have a problem with Windows 98 (except it's crash proneness which is solved with this). Quite frankly, it's NOT Windows anymore It's just an app, NOT an OS.


***EDIT***
-spelling error fixed.

Jason is correct, this fixes windows. I liked the first windows, Win3.1 every thing went down hill from there. 3.1 ran as a program, nothing more.

The real issue here is that the software is simply not avalible in the SCO API only the WIN32 API. Win4Lin and WineX is not supporting wimdows, only the win32 API which is fine.

While on the topic, I would have no problem with Windows IF they coded properly, the problem with windows is that the programers have become lazy. This of course is not entitly there fault, the lack of compitition is. Why make a better product if there is no one try to make something better then you.

The Win32 API is fine, there are many great programs out there that run great. Windows, however is full of bugs. This effects the way these other great programs run. Win4Lin now allows us to run these programs at their peek effecince.

Matt, I would like to thankyou. You and I may dissage over this issue but I am happy to have you supporting the other side. It makes us Linux users look at the lackings in are OP an construct logical arguments. I agree that at the moment windows still has a much simpiler instalation and user firendly intreface. I would like to point out that Microsoft has much more resources at its disposal to create there product.

You must admit thou, that linux, being created by basement nerds has come along way in the last few year. Far enoght that Mircosoft labled it it's largest competitor.

In short the common phrase "Windows programs" is inacurate. It should be "Win32 coded programs". Win4Lin does not bring windows to Linux, it mearly brings Win32 to SCO.

Finaly should not all you windows users be prasing Linux? With all this compitition Microsoft is bound to get there act to gether and produce a better product.

Matt, perhaps you should show your support for Windows by buying a copy of Windows XP, the operating system that you currently use. A devoted followe of windows such as yourself should have no problem buying a copy, no matter the cost, since they would wish to support the company.

As for the use of Win4Lin. Some things just arent available in linux. This changes that. I see no reason not to use it, since your not supporting microsoft.

Amen to Bob's Post. Praise to Linux! Though can even its biggest competitor awaken the slumbering behemoth that is microsoft's quality control department?

Amen to Bob's Post. If windows was less buggy i would love it. (removal of spyware would help too) Though can even its biggest competitor awaken the slumbering behemoth that is microsoft's quality control department?

I'm not bashing any operating system.

I just like Windows because thats what most people use, because of the ease of use. Most people don't want to know what size of partition they need to store the kernal, what they want to know is how to make the document in word look the best it can.

First time I used Linux it crashed many times Frozen solid had to do a hard shut down.

This is why I wish for someone to show me everything I need to do to install Linux and then i'll learn from there, but at the same time keeping up to date in windows because I am a tech that needs to fix others computers.

Paul i said i love windows Now i didnt say that i love Microsoft and all there products. Shure I like Bill hes a genious a great buisness man that knows how to make $. Now I like alot of products that Microsoft makes But there is one little program that should be burned and shit on though. Im talking about "Windows Me". Now I Know you are all now starting to say that "well Matt loves Windows so ya gota love all of them" right is that what your thinking. Well to that i give you the downfall of Linix "REDHAT" Now im shure alot of you can agree with me that REDHAT is Shit am I right just like WIN ME is shit.

Now I do Own Windows 3.1, 95, 98SE and a XpHome. Now I will admit that i donot have a copy of Win Pro for the Price is far out of my range. Yes Paul i agree that i should suport Microsoft but hay i have given them loots of $ enen thought the only copy of windows i have bought is 98 all the rest i got given to me.

Hay all OPs have Problems i will admit to that "we will never be fully satisfied" Im just asking to lay off the win Bashing if your using windows. Hay if you have no windows and are linix then go crazy with the bashing of windows im just getting sick of people shitting on windows so much when they are still using it when they have no excuse for not just deleting it and installing Linix.

If you use it Dont Bitch.
If ya Use Linix and only Linix, Bitch untill ya cant bitch nomore.

Bob, what a sexy sexy machine you have