How can I run Windows apps on a Linux Acer Aspire One?
Q&A
It just read your review of the Acer Aspire One. I've had one for a week or so and find that I can't load up windows files (*.EXE), which is a bit of a blow as I wanted to be able to do basic Autocad drawings. Is there an easy way to get it to run windows files?
And what are the basic hacks needed to be able to install Thunderbird please?
COMMENTS
Extra possibility - .Net apps
If that Windows app is a .Net app, there is some chance you might get it running under Mono.
Mono is the linux port of the .Net runtime, and you should just be able to do something like (I forget as its been a while)...
mono myapp.exe
If it's an app using standard runtime stuff it has a good chance of working. If it uses a lot of Windows Form library stuff (or whatever it's called now) it may struggle, depending how much has been ported of the runtime so far.
However, .Net is looking like a much better way to get cross platform "binaries" (if you can call them that). Though things work much better if they're built for mono and then they'll usually work fine on Windows.
Anything complex is unlikely to work (so sadly I can't get Nikon's fantastic Capture NX to work under mono, though it uses more than just .Net anyway).
If anybody else mentions Wine...
...I'll not be responsible for my actions. Be honest and admit it ain't really happening. Have you seen the App db?
Q: "I wanted to be able to do basic Autocad drawings. Is there an easy way to get it to run windows files?"
A: I'd have thunk that installing Windows onto the Acer would be easier than getting AutoCAD running on Linux. And cheaper too, even if you have to buy XP, when you consider the faffery factor.
Having done that, you should be good to go. AutoCAD R14 and 2000 have very low spec requirements that any of today's new systems will easily exceed. Even LT 2002 ain't greedy.
This [http://www.designmaster.biz/Products/AutoCADSystemRequirements.html] page gives a good rundown of requirements of each CAD version. Looking at it, I'd fancy your chances if you follow the "install windows" route.
Out of interest, what did you plump for? I can see that a netbook with CAD could be v useful for some quick draughting on site during surveys etc.
Right now...
If you have enabled "advanced" mode, Thunderbird is merely a matter of choosing "add/remove software" from the "system" menu, click on the search tab and type "thunderbird" (without quotes), and clicking in the checkbox for the package "thuinderbird - 2.0.0.16-1.fc8.i386" and then "apply".
Autocad is going to be a pain with Linpus Lite (which is what your Aspire One comes with), as Wine is not a straightforward install. It is possible that some older versions of Autocad might work with Dosbox (which does install from add/remove), but that name on its own should give you an idea of how old a version we are talking here, and dongles are out! There is a CAD package worth trying as its free and might do what you want - using the same approach as for Thunderbird, do a search for qcad and install that. It will appear under the Graphics menu.
If you want to try Autocad with Wine, it would be easier to install Ubuntu (specifically Xubuntu 32 bit, unless you buy more memory) as at least it is easier to get Wine (and many other things) installed with no fuss.
Install Windows or Forget Windows, that is the question.
You could play around with cedega, crossover office, wine and alike, alternatively just try to find an application that works with your operating system. I'm not a CAD user myself, but there are applications that can perform this kind of modelling for POSIX environments. A quick google provides this links page : http://www.tech-edv.co.at/lunix/CADlinks.html
Ummm?
Of course the obvious response is "install windows", but I'm going to go beyond that simply because it's clear you don't know and it's on my RSS feed.
I thought everyone knew that you can't run windows applications on Linux. I guess I'm wrong, so I thought I'd share this valuable knowledge.
Having said that there is the WINE project (see: http://www.winehq.org/) and similar software applications that allow you to run supported windows applications, especially games (see: http://blog.linuxoss.com/2008/04/winecedegacrossover-games-windows-gaming-on-linux/), however do bare in mind that wine v1.0 only came out in July, after 15 years. (see: http://tech.slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=08/06/17/1547241).
All this aside, the best way around this is to use software that is native to Linux instead of trying to trick the windows software.
For opening your Autocad Drawing files on Linux, I would see if there is an open source alternative that will let you do this.
The Audocad filetype is DXF, and the wikipedia provides a list of software that supports it (see: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dxf#Software_which_supports_DXF), also you can find a list of Linux computer aided design software in the wikipedia (see: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Linux_computer-aided_design_software). Just work out which application appears in both articles. (At a glance I see blender is in both, try that).
In the case of Thunderbird, you should be able to just download and install the Linux version provided by Mozilla.
For the Acer Aspire One, you may find there are steps (see: http://www.laptopmag.com/advice/how-to/aspire-one-apps.aspx) you need to take to gain access to the "advanced" features.
Or, you can just give it to me...
