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Deployment of Wine


The project is to build a Linux Mint machine to have the identical functionality and ergonomics as the existing Windows 10 machine.

Having established that there is no way to migrate fully from Windows to Linux, the project now needs to consider running Windows apps in Linux.  This is a big change to the strategy of the project.  This is a big change to the deployment of a Linux workstation, a crushing admission of failure, and the opening of a whole new world of risks to an otherwise secure operating system.

Environment & required functionality

For this blog post, Wine was tested on:
  • The Linux Mint Xfce 19 virtual machine "Bilbo", on host Windows 10 laptop "Saruman"
  • The Linux Mint Xfce 18.3 virtual machine "Gimli", on host Windows 10 host "Legolas".

Alternatives

There are alternatives to Wine/PlayOnLinux, notably the paid software Crossover.

Software selection

Wine and PlayOnLinux are present in Linux Mint by default.  If uninstalled following advice from EasyLinuxTips, the Software Manager find the necessary packages in the repository.

Reading EasyLinuxTips, it really does underline why running Windows apps in Linux is a bad idea.  Running Windows in a virtual machine would be better, because then the same virtual machine could run a typical anti-malware package to clean up any software nasties.  (Background reading: security in Linux Mint & Ubuntu).

Installation experience

Fine, no issues (re-)installing Wine & PlayOnLinux on Bilbo.  Neither were ever uninstalled from Gimli.

User experience

The test application for Wine/PlayOnLinux on Bilbo was FoxIT PDF Reader for Windows.  The installation must be done for each user who wants to use the Windows app.  The installation was fine, although it looked as if it was going to fail because of the lack of feedback during installation.  For FoxIT PDF Reader for Windows in particular, the splash icon was anchored to the mouse, which was slightly annoying, but of no detriment to the installation of the software.  FoxIT PDF Reader for Windows worked flawlessly from within PlayOnLinux.

The test application is not yet on Gimli.

Conclusion

Wine/PlayOnLinux can work for straight-forward applications like FoxIT PDF Reader.  The next test would be for Microsoft Excel.


End of post.

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