Maximum PC

Linux is a great OS, quite possibly one of the best ever, unfortunately, most good programs are windows only, so many people use windows, creating a vicious cycle. The solution to this is WINE, a windows wrapper that lets Win 32 apps run under Linux. Sadly, WINE is not a newbie-friendly utility, as it requires command-line experience and Virtual Hard Drives. Because of this. I want to create a Linux Distro (or FreeBSD Port) that is Just Like Windows, but I lack most of the skills needed to do so. The idea is to have the next best thing to an open-source version of windows.

Features I Want:

* Bundled WINE and DOSbox

* Mounts WINE directory to "mnt\C:" on boot

* Automatically executes Win 32 apps with WINE (execute "app.exe" instead of "wine app.exe")

* DOSbox automatically mounts the hard drive(s) and starts at the "C:\" prompt

* X Window System skinned to look like Windows XP

* WINE Desktop mirrored on X Window Desktop

* And Anything else that would make using WINE and DOSbox just like using Windows and the DOS Command Prompt

Anyone want to Help/Do it for me?

Any comments?

Take a look at this project. It's not Linux, but it has the goal of being a FOSS OS that emulates windows (emulates as in imitation).

Why not simply use Windows? Your list of desires boils down to this, in essence:

1) Emulate windows in linux.

You might as well just run windows. You are using Windows code when you run Wine, so you won't be benefiting from linux at all.

I'm moving this thread over to Alt.OS.Abode.

Thanks for the link!

Also, I want to have a free OS that my grandma thinks is windows. She won't use anything else, and her PC will need replacing soon. (Windows = $$$$$)

Also, since this is now in Alt.OS.Adobe, is there a way to make a shortcut in linux that will run a command with no fuss? (kinda a newbie question)

Becuase then you can't use native Linux apps. Like Tuxracer.

Also Starcraft doesn't work on Vista but does work on Wine.

In order to use wine, you need to have a copy (registered, legal) of Windows.



Yep .. but 'how' depends on the desktop environment that you are running.

[quote="Jipstyle"]In order to use wine, you need to have a copy (registered, legal) of Windows. [quote]

I'm not certain that's an entirely true statement. You mixing terms like VM and wine together again?

...for what he's asking...I suppose the best I can offer would be to get a copy of crossover and an XP theme.

Honestly, with the price of some OEMs that come with an OS, I'm not certain how much money one is exactly saving anymore.