I really enjoy Linux but I find myself having to keep Windows partitions around for software that specifically requires Windows.
Proton makes everything easier by automatically running game files through a translation layer, and it “just works” quite well most of the time.
Also VanillaOS can apparently auto-spin a container when you try to open a .deb or AUR package (this is my rudimentary understanding).
Setting up WINE/Bottles, etc. is above my pay grade.
Is it not possible to create an OS that just does the same thing as Steam but for the entire OS?
Linux users have a habit of saying “Sure! you can just…” without ever elaborating on how ridiculously complicated it is or the level of knowledge required. Is it so hard to configure the OS to just do it out of the box? And if not, why has no one done this?
Well, my experience has always been that when I double click an exe that I get either asked which program should be used to open it or Wine gets used automatically. Which is more or less the same thing Windows does with different file types.
So, are you just here to bitch and moan or do you want to try it out?
Wow you’re a real cunt lmao.
Oh, this is the part where I get bitched out by the Linux user for having the gall to ask for helpful advice. So predictable.
You didn’t get bitched out. But you should have based on your attitude. You’re asking strangers for help dude. Nobody owes you anything.
I was accused of “bitching and moaning” because I was presented with a solution that didn’t answer the actual question I asked and I declined.
What would you call that?
No I’m not. I asked a very specific question and people keep trying to throw long-winded time-consuming solutions at me instead of actually answering it.
Several other people did actually answer the question though.
That’s great because I’m not asking for anything.
I did, however, learn a valuable lesson though: Don’t ask questions in a Linux community, because the answer is always the same: “just figure it out, in the most complex manner possible, or go fuck yourself”.
Honestly I had trouble understanding the inner workings of wine and how I may need to use to install windows software so I just watched a few videos on YouTube, downloaded a sample exe (I think I used notepad++) and try it out. 10 minutes later I was running software through wine no problem. Wrote myself a quick documentation guide for my future self and gtg.
As others pointed out already, most distros will ask you which program you want to use on a file the first time you double click on them, and you can tell it to always use the same program for all other similar files (just like windows btw)…the only difference with windows (regarding exe files) is that you need to have wine installed first (lots of distros have it preinstalled though). You can still do it later by right clicking (again, just the same as windows). I fail to see what’s so complex about that.
You cant have the same expectation with Wine regarding any windows software vs Proton for games, games and softwares can be awfully different, that’s why Wine can be a pain to use, and why it sometimes needs more fiddling for some soft than Proton does with games. Also some soft wont work on Wine period. Some softs will work just as simply as games on proton, some absolutely wont.
I am sure you are aware that windows softs are made for windows, so it is a bit odd to expect a different OS to handle exe files perfectly and make it an out of the box experience, it was never made for that. I have yet to see anyone complain about not being able to run any Apple exclusive app on windows, sure Linux has Wine and Proton, and that’s cool… but some people don’t use it. So yeah it won’t be smooth and yeah it can get complicated, yet it’s still better than nothing don’t you think ?
I think all this should answer your post and your comment. Sorry if it sounds like I am scolding you, but to be plain your post is asking why an apple can’t be an orange.
If you need any help with something and don’t want unconstructive or vague answers it’s better to be specific about your issues and to consider that one problem with an exe file (or anything really) won’t be solved the same way as another. And if you don’t get something just say it instead of accusing anyone offering advice of being cryptic or unhelpful snobs, you won’t get far if you annoy everyone…just saying ;)
Wine doesn’t work. I don’t know why.
I don’t even know what “softs” are.
I don’t. And I didn’t imply that I did. I’m just asking a question.
Regarding Wine not working, if you feel overwhelmed with that and really need help, just make another post or edit this one and specify :
Otherwise you will get chaotic and vague answers that might not even apply to you. But frankly, some softwares you might still need windows for them, or you could find an alternative (if you can, if it exists alternativeto.net is your friend in that regard). It really depends on what you are using.
Also I get it can be bothersome to deal with and frustrating, but mostly this kind of stuff you configure it once and then it’s done. So it might still be worth it.
I don’t work in product support at WINE. If it doesn’t work, I’m just not going to use it. I assume there is some sort of OS config that needs to happen but even looking at the support material it’s nothing but a bunch of jargon I don’t understand and terminal commands that don’t work.
¯_(ツ)_/¯ Well if you say so… Good luck !
I very much agree with that first sentence. I think they forget how much they know at a baseline, and can’t skip that when talking to a copy-paste idiot like me.
Linux in general doesn’t have any defined purpose, so the whole Archlinux mentality only really exists in that one distro. It’s a little unfair to confuse (for example) Mint and Tiny Core.