I want to switch to Linux, how compatible is it with Windows programs?

I Currently use Windows Vista Home Premium, I've been using Windows since my first computer in 1997. Windows is great and all (as in it works) but I think its time for me to try something else.

Linux has been getting more popular lately and I think its time to give it a try. But i want to know how compatible is it with the windows stuff I have and mostly can't do without?

I have workstation-type programs like AutoCAD 2007 and 2010, Solidworks 2009, Adobe CS3 Master Collection

I use business programs like MS Office 2003 and sometimes Open Office.

I like to game alot, mostly older games (mostly because until recently I didn't have the hardware to run newer games) such as Deus Ex (1%26amp;2+ mods) Steam games like HL1, CS1.6, CS source, DOD1.3, HL2 + few source mods. And Crysis/Crysis Warhead.

And finally my PC is also used as a multimedia system, I use quite a few media players such as Real One, Quick Time, Divx, and VLC.



I know Most versions of Linux will run much faster than windows on older hardware, would there be any problems on a system like mine? (hardware related)

MSI X58 Platinum SLI (motherboard)

Intel i7 920 2.66 ghz Quad Core with HT

DDR3 1600 3x2GB (6GB RAM) triple channel mode

a few SATA2 hard drives and one SATA2 DVD-RAM (read/write all DVD and CD formats) drive.



Also, are most kinds of Linux bound to the 3.5 Gb memory limit as Windows 32 bit, or is there a 64 bit versions allowing more RAM to be installed?



thx in advance!I want to switch to Linux, how compatible is it with Windows programs?
linux will not natively run windows programs,



but help is at hand, i run linux and just checked through my repo's (my software)



autocad = qcad



http://www.osalt.com/qcad



Solidworks = blender



http://www.blender.org/



adobe cs3 = depends on which part of it you use



games = there are a few 'built in' games but linux is not a gaming system, its a computing system,

xbox and ps3 are for games



i run mandriva linux, its a full multi media home entertainment center, i have not found a file i cannot open or play



my system runs on a p4 prescott 3.4ghz single core UNDERclocked to 2.6 and 2gb of ddr2 ram,

over 2 tb's of hdd space on 5 sata drives and 2 sata dvd +/- rw's, 16 in 1 internal card reader, floppy drive, bluetooth complete remote control (voice and mobile/cell phone control), 500gb NAS unit, webcam, digital camera, digital video recorder, usb peripherals hanging out my ears - and to much more to mention in case i bore you,



linux allocates swap space, even though i have only (?) 2gb of installed ram, i also have 4gb swap space,

which gives me total memory of 6gb - and i have a 32 bit operating system



i have never even got close to maxin out my ram - i can transcode and burn an avi to full disk in about 45 mins, do various other jobs with no decrease in performance at all,



the choice is yours
Unfortunately, some Windows programs can't work with Linux. I can't make All My Movies (http://www.bolidesoft.com/allmymovies.ht鈥?/a> to run on Linux (Wine). So, I'm tried Linux for a while and now back on Windows :)I want to switch to Linux, how compatible is it with Windows programs?
Not- say bye bye to your Adobe- AutoDesk, etc.. Linux 5% at best on consumer computers- 90% on web servers.
If you rely heavily on Windows specific software which it looks like you do the method outlined below would be the best option



Installing Ubuntu as a dual-boot with Windows without partitioning

http://www.psychocats.net/ubuntu/wubi



You keep Windows as it is, Wubi only adds an extra option to boot into Ubuntu. Wubi does not require you to modify the partitions of your PC, or to use a different bootloader, and does not install special drivers. It works just like any other application.



Wubi keeps most of the files in one folder, and if you do not like it, you can simply uninstall it as any other application.



Boot in to windows insert the Ubuntu 10.04 LiveCD and you will offered the option of installing inside windows which is where the Wubi installer comes in, you will be asked how many gigabytes you wish to allocate to Ubuntu (I recommend 8gb) then you set a password for your installation then click install and thats it.



Once Ubuntu is fully installed upon starting your PC you will be given a choice of which operating system you want to use Windows or Ubuntu



Ubuntu 10.04 Download

http://www.ubuntu.com/getubuntu/download



Ubuntu 10.04 (Lucid Lynx) User Guide

http://ubuntuguide.org/wiki/Ubuntu:Lucid



Linux Mint 9 has a similar feature called mint4win and the directions given above for Wubi can be followed

http://duncsweb.com/2009/09/27/mint4win-鈥?/a>



Linux Mint 9 Download

http://www.linuxmint.com/edition.php?id=鈥?/a>



Ubuntu 10.04 and Linux Mint 9 can also be run straight from the LiveCD without touching your Hard drive





LUg.I want to switch to Linux, how compatible is it with Windows programs?
Most versions of Linux are NOT bound by the 3.5 gig limit. Most also have 64-bit versions for your computer AutoCAD can be run under WINE which runs Windows programs under Linux. Adobe is full of little gotchas -- they have a cute little drm trick that writes to a part of the Master Boot Record that Windows doesn't use but Linux does. Games can be a problem. Realplayer VLC and an older player called mplayer handle most of the divx and quicktime codecs without blinking a figurative eyelash.



Linux is a kernel/development environment which is built on Unix and is still primarily about running Unix programs. I really do believe that if you are talking about using Linux because of Windows, leave it ALONE, but if yoiu must download and burn an Ubuntu or Linux Mint CD boot from it and DON'T INSTALL. You will be running a pretty full distribution from what is called a live CD and that should give you a good idea whether you want to switch or not.
There are 64 bit versions of Linux.



Typically, instead of trying to run Windows software on Linux, people find alternatives (that are almost always free), such as Open Office (which can read and write MS documents) instead of Microsoft Office. Most flavors of Linux come with Open Office and a bunch of other common applications.



A program called WINE can run SOME Windows applications in Linux, but not all of them, and not always perfectly. I really doubt that you're going to be able to run AutoCAD, Solidworks, or Adobe CS in Linux. Your games will likely work with WINE though.



You may want to think about switching to Mac instead. You can probably buy Mac versions of all that proprietary software (minus the games).