Idea
#2588: Warn that Ubuntu does not run .exe files & suggest equivalent apps when clicked
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Written by qaaq the 2 Mar 08 at 22:05.
Category: System.
Related to:
Nothing/Others.
Status: New
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Description
I've installed Ubuntu for a number of friends and family. Whenever I go back to check on things a few months later, the desktop is littered with 'setup.exe' files, and I hear complaints that they "can't seem to install any programs!"
Of course, when I show them the "Add/Remove Programs" system, they happily download a zillion games and challenge me to Tux Racer contests.
When WINE is not installed, Ubuntu should have a default handler for Windows .exe files explaining that Windows software does not run on Ubuntu, and pointing them to Add/Remove Programs.
Perhaps something like "You have attempted to run PHOTOSHOP-SETUP.EXE, which is a Windows application. Ubuntu applications are available for installation from the Add/Remove Programs option in your Applications menu."
In addition, this feature could extract information about the EXE file and suggest equivalent Ubuntu applications. Most EXE files contain resources which indicate what they contain, as do most Installshield installers.
It would be pretty simple to have this system report names and md5sums of exe files being run to a web server, allowing Canonical to build a list of suggested alternatives for specific Windows applications.
This suggestion would certainly help eliminate confusion among new adopters, and would drive awareness of open source equivalents for Windows applications.
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Comments
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gespertino wrote on the 2 Mar 08 at 22:44
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Good idea. The part of proposing alternatives seems quite difficult to implement but the warning part teaching about the way that programs are installed in ubuntu is a great hint for new users.
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travist120 wrote on the 2 Mar 08 at 23:01
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Great idea, I can see this being implemented fairly easily. And allowing a lot of new adopters.
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sentinel wrote on the 3 Mar 08 at 00:13
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GREAT idea!
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alex.dante wrote on the 3 Mar 08 at 01:13
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Exactly how is this an easy implementation? Are any of you currently collating or know of a DB of Windows executable names with associated Linux-based alternatives?
I understand the whole desire to make things easier for new users but not at the cost of treating every piece of moronic behaviour as valid. Unless, of course, you're volunteering to compile the database yourselves, in which case just start up a project and _do it_.
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jreyst wrote on the 3 Mar 08 at 06:07
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Perhaps I'm one of the morons Alex refers to but it doesn't seem that hard to see the file is .exe and then respond with a dialog like:
"Linux does not support Windows .exe files by default but some may work via the Wine application. Attempt to Run using Wine? [Yes/No]"
And then call Wine to run the exe. If it can't find Wine then ask the user if he would like to install Wine first and then try again.
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qaaq wrote on the 3 Mar 08 at 06:35
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@alex.dante:
Your tone seems rather confrontational. Might want to watch that.
No, I am not currently collating a massive database of EXE files. I'm suggesting recording some simple information about the files users try to run, and BUILDING that database.
The point is that the database could build itself as users tried to do things. If the system could not make a guess as to what program an .exe file was, it could even *ask* the user, with the response going into a queue for sanitization.
If not "easy", at least the implementation of such a system would be straightforward. Perhaps I'll put some effort into it, since the idea is pretty popular.
@jreyst:
Yes, you could use this as a guide into the world of WINE. Still, I'd prefer it be used to bring people deeper into the Linux side of things.
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Detructor wrote on the 3 Mar 08 at 09:48
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but it GIVES .exe files that can run under linux (-> mono)
So, it should be possible to determine wether it is a really windows application, or is it a mono file...
IMO
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shovelhead wrote on the 3 Mar 08 at 10:05
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While this is not a thing that concerns ME, I can follow and understand, why this is important to newbies.
Good idea! A sort of "ubuntu is a GNU/Linux system and does not run DOS/Windows files" screen might be easy to do.
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Jadd wrote on the 3 Mar 08 at 14:18
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Good idea.
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burrocatala wrote on the 3 Mar 08 at 14:56
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I thin that it will be better to run .exe files to enjoy games like RUGBY 08 or Counter Strike without using Widows and it could be a good way to make people enjoy Ubuntu, in spite of Windows Vista
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xiota wrote on the 5 Mar 08 at 12:25
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Maybe stray exe files should also be quarantined in ~/.Trash?
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qaaq wrote on the 7 Mar 08 at 22:44
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@Detructor:
Good point. Mono .exe files are valid on Ubuntu. It's pretty easy to check if executables are Windows PE format before throwing the message.
@xiota:
That's a good idea. "Since you can't run this, would you like to move it to the trash?"
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technofreak wrote on the 10 Mar 08 at 09:45
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A very practical idea and something which needs to be implemented. We do need an information box saying that there is a different way of installing things in Ubuntu and Window's installers will not directly work.
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Dark Star wrote on the 10 Mar 08 at 15:46
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Very Nice suggestion .. Yep people think they can run same application that they were using under Linux.. Warning or Note should be provided in Installation part ;)
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gijsterbeek wrote on the 13 Mar 08 at 22:11
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It already works this way in Kubuntu:
- Right-click on .exe gives the option to "Open with WINE"
- Double-click starts WINE (running the .exe)
So +1 anyway
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Eldmannen wrote on the 21 Mar 08 at 03:32
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Interesting idea.
Not so good for use who used Linux before, but perhaps useful to those clueless mortals who use Windows.
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Lee-Pro wrote on the 28 Mar 08 at 10:58
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First question, how are you going to extract infromation from installer files? One main thing that makes Linux better is that it has a proper package format (read: .deb and .rpm). Windows EXE installers is a complete hell especially when there is an endless number of different, inconsistent installers.
But if that is what you want to do, I'd wish you good luck.
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vytah wrote on the 30 Mar 08 at 21:43
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I still remember macs at school, with desktops full of gg70.exe ;)
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qaaq wrote on the 30 Apr 08 at 01:39
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@Lee-Pro:
There are a number of resource extractors for Windows exe files and installshield installers, all present in the Ubuntu archives. All I'm suggesting is that we use the information as hints as to what installers newbies are running, then map the MD5s and hints to an application name (say, Limewire for Windows"), then make a suggestion ("Install Limewire for Linux instead!")
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jdennis_99 wrote on the 2 May 08 at 20:00
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This should be implemented because it's quick and simple. However, the longer-term view should be more consistent with idea #762: Better Wine Integration. Rather than just a stub saying 'This won't run on Linux 'cos its for Windoze', Ubuntu should actually run the damn thing.
This would encourage migration to Ubuntu, increase market share and therefore put us in a better position to lean on software developers to compile for Linux in the first place!
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Primož Papič wrote on the 13 May 08 at 14:36
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Maybe add ability: don't show this message again; or autorun with wine....
So those that know that exe files doesn't work can easily skip this phase...
+1
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andersja wrote on the 14 May 08 at 18:49
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+1 for innovation. The more thorough identification and suggestion mechanism the better - perhaps we could build an online repository of exe signatures, what they are and which alternatives are recommended?
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steve196 wrote on the 14 May 08 at 21:11
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1) ineffective. Which open source app is or isn't a replacement, depends on what the user needs to do. Suggesting something without this knowledge will not help.
2) bloaty. Either a huge database is carried around in memory, or it is loaded after the user (accidentally) clicks an .exe forcing him to wait, till the recommendation dialogue is there, nautilus reacts again and he can finally click something else.
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Andaril wrote on the 19 Jun 08 at 20:21
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why no? yeah is good, but I think is better to integrate a wine, and also find software every one can. OK may be you the solution is make some part on wike for finde software, but Ubuntu have sinaptyc and mozilla have google, useless.
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qaaq wrote on the 1 Jul 08 at 06:03
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@steve196 -
The 'recommended apps' list could be hosted on an Ubuntu web server. When an EXE file is run, its signature would be sent as a web service call, and a recommendation returned. Not particularly bloaty. On the other hand, an index of thousands of signatures could be distributed as a package and would probably only take up a couple of megs on disk.
I'm not proposing an exhaustive list - I'd just be willing to put money on the fact that people getting started on Ubuntu are downloading the same 10 windows installers, over and over. Flash for windows. Firefox (duh). iTunes. ICQ. AIM.
I keep seeing the same installers on beginners' desktops.
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Nocebo wrote on the 6 Jul 08 at 22:36
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As said, great idea! This could be applied to other stuff aswell...like:
"This is how Ubuntu does it..."
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notyetroot wrote on the 10 Aug 08 at 15:31
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It would probably be hard to make a list of alternatives, but what about telling the user about Wine and offering to search the AppDB?
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