Use Win4Lin in Linux to easily run Windows applications

Article title: use Win4Lin in Linux to easily run Windows applications. Linux is a technology channel of the IT lab in China. Includes basic categories such as desktop applications, Linux system management, kernel research, embedded systems, and open source.
Author: Grant William son
　　
Introduction
Earlier last year, I thought my luck had changed with the message about the release of a trial version called VMware. However, this is not the case because, although I am very impressed with the technical value of VMware, this product is unsatisfactory for some reasons. These factors mainly include price and performance (unless you have a powerful system with a large memory capacity) and cannot be integrated with the Linux file system (although this is not the original intention of this product ).
　　
Whether you like it or hate it, Microsoft's Windows still exists. That is to say, before more companies are willing to develop their client applications for Linux, Windows will continue to exist. At least it is impossible for me not to use Windows. However, I think it is advantageous to accept many different operating systems, because each operating system has its own advantages and disadvantages. I need a product that allows me to use Linux at work while running all the necessary Win9x applications. I met Merge, a product that has been in existence for many years. recently, it is shining again under the new name Win4Lin. It is produced and packaged by Trelos and each license is only $50, and I do not regret using this product.
　　
Features of Win4Lin
I must first point out that Win4Lin does not support Windows NT/2000. Win4Lin allows you to install a licensed copy of Windows 9x to a virtual PC and use the local Linux file system. In this virtual Win9x, I can install all the software I need, such as Lotus Notes R5.03, Smartsuite 9.5, and many other applications and utilities.
　　
However, there are still some restrictions. Win4Lin only supports the basic pseudo-Winsocks 1.1. However, according to Trelos, this will be improved in future versions. Some applications, such as the instant messaging service and Lotus Sametime Connect, cannot run. In some cases, my Lotus Freelance application crashes. In addition, it is not possible to browse the drive from the Win9x shell, although this is not important, because it can be done in Linnux. (You can always create symbolic links from Linux machines to make Widows visible ).
　　
The following content is not supported in this release:
　　
Multi-session: this version supports a single Windows session.
Microsoft networking: only TCP/IP (winsock) networking is available.
Device Access: currently, it is limited to parallel ports.
Sound: sound is not supported
Direct X: not supported
Multi-processor: This release can be operated only on a single processor system.
Multiple users: this version supports only one Win4Lin session at a time.
Desktop Integration: no icon to click.
Image clipboard: you can run file-based clipboard between Windows and Linux applications.
Zoom (you can directly use the actual graphics card instead of running Windows through the X-window): currently not supported on Linux.
　　
System requirements:
　　
Pentium-level processor (excellent test results on 266/300/350)
32 MB memory or more-(good test results on 64 MB/128 MB/164 MB)
2.2.x kernel
Minimum x 1024 pixels/16-bit X Windows (my Thinkpad is only 768x800 and still works well)
Windows 95/98 CD
At least 350 MB of disk space is used for Win installation and storage of cab files.
　　
　　
　　
Install Win4Lin
Use the Trelos kernel boot system before installing Win4Lin. The CD contains some distribution versions of the RPMS kernel. Basically, it is a standard kernel with built-in Win4Lin support. I am using RedHat 6.2 and can download it from the Trelos website.
　　
After downloading the kernel, run RPM and reboot. After entering lilo, select Win4Lin and then perform the subsequent steps. If you have your own customized kernel, you may need to install patches (the patches are in the CD ). The Trelos kernel does not overwrite your default kernel.
　　
Install Win4Lin software as a root user. After installation, run Win9x CD to copy the cab file to the local machine. Windows installation adopts an unattended mode. user intervention is required only when the license number and user/machine name are required. Unlike VMware, you don't have to waste time setting the display driver. all these Win4Lin will be installed automatically for you.
　　
The entire installation process takes about 25 minutes (faster than the normal Win9x ). Likewise, it is worth noting that the boot takes about 35 seconds and the shutdown takes 5 seconds.
　　
I run Win4Lin on IBM Thinkpad 390e (300 MHZ, 164 MB. The default memory of the virtual Win98 is 16 MB. Of course, you can change this default setting to allow the virtual Win9x to access more memory, but one thing to warn you is that using too much memory will reduce performance.
　　
I also managed to run Lotus Notes R5 on a normal Windows machine with 16 MB memory. You can start Win4Lin in the form of "full screen" or "terminal. I like to use the terminal form, so that I can easily access all Linux applications, and the performance is also very good.
　　
The screen snapshot is as follows:
　　
1. Win4Lin boot Windows 98
　　　
2. run Windows 98 in Win4Lin and start Notes R 5.03.
　　
　　　
3. Win4Lin: Run Windows 98 and Freelance 9.5.
　　　
4. Win4Lin, run Windows 98, my inbox
　　
Conclusion
As Win4Lin promised during its release, it is an extremely memorable product. For Linux users, Win4Lin is a good substitute for VMware and Wine. If you need to use multiple operating systems, use VMware. If you only need one or two Windows applications, use Wine. If you want to easily run the Windows 9x application in Linux, there is no doubt that Win4Lin is a solution. I am eager to see later Win4Lin versions.
　　
References
　　
You can download Win4Lin from Trelos.
If you prefer VMware, visit the VMware Site.
Wine is a free software for Windows in Unix. WineHQ collects resources required by many Wine developers and users