ions. You still
need to provide execute permissions to the file so Linux will allow the
executable to perform.
Some cross-platform applications developed in Mono that you can install on your Linux GNOME desktop, such as F-Spot, reside on the menu with the native GNOME applications. F-Spot is an open source application for managing photos. Even though it is a C# application, it appears as a native application on the GNOME desktop. After you create a launcher for an application, you can click and run just like in Windows.
Figure 2 demonstrates the location of the Mono-based application, F-Spot, and how you can create desktop or panel launchers for it.
Figure 2. Creating a launcher for F-Spot
Wine lets you run Windows software on Linux and other operating systems. With Wine, you can install and run those applications just like you do in Windows. Wine is still under active development, and not all Windows programs work with Wine. If your application is compiled for a Windows operating system and you find it can run adequately using Wine, chances are it is a desktop application as opposed to a server application. Be sure to check the Wine documentation about the possibility of running the application on Linux because Wine doesn't fully support all applications.
When you use Wine with Linux, you have a hidden folder in your account home directory that emulates a Windows environment, as in Listing 4.
Listing 4. Wine's hidden folder that emulates a Windows environment
$ cd /home/tbost/.wine/drive_c/windows $ls cf8e.tmp command explorer.exe Fonts help hh.exe inf Installer ls.txt Microsoft.NET notepad.exe pwd.txt regedit.exe rundll.exe system system32 system.ini temp twain_32.dll twain.dll winhelp.exe winhlp32.exe win.ini winsxs
After you install an application using Wine, you can typically find it on the desktop menu and run it the same way you would in Windows.
For example, Camstudio is an open source tool for recording and managing screen videos. Currently, there isn't a release for the Linux operating system. However, using Wine, I installed the Windows version on a Linux desktop. Wine-related applications are typically grouped under Applications > Wine > Programs, as in Figure 3.
Figure 3. Running a Windows application on Linux using Wine
While managing a Linux server, you are sure to encounter software that executes from the desktop and the command line. When you understand how to set the appropriate permissions and user accounts, you can securely run those applications. With long-running processes such as server services, you can execute from the command line and appropriately set in the background. If you have applications that are geared for running from the desktop, you can do that too—sometimes even Windows applications!
- Check out New to Linux programming and Linux system administration on developerWorks to learn more about getting started with Linux.
- Read Windows-to-Linux roadmap: Part 9. Installing software (Chris Walden, developerWorks, November 2003) to earn more about installing software on Linux.
- Learn more about DOS versus Linux commands.
- In the developerWorks Linux zone, find hundreds of how-to articles and tutorials, as well as downloads, discussion forums, and a wealth of other resources for Linux developers and administrators.
- In the Open Source area on developerWorks, find extensive how-to information, tools, and project updates to help you develop with open source technologies and use them with IBM products.
- Stay current with developerWorks technical events and webcasts focused on a variety of IBM products and IT industry topics.
- Attend a free developerWorks Live! briefing to get up-to-speed quickly on IBM products and tools as well as IT industry trends.
- Listen to developerWorks podcasts for interesting interviews and discussions for software developers.
- Follow developerWorks on Twitter.
- Watch developerWorks demos that range from product installation and setup for beginners to advanced functionality for experienced developers.
Get products and technologies
- Learn more about running Win