Ubuntu QA:
BlogBrainstormPackage status
Log in
Ubuntu QA
Wine
Idea sandbox Idea sandbox
Popular ideas Popular ideas
Ideas in development Ideas in development
Implemented ideas Implemented ideas

Contributor reverendlinux on Wine

Suggest to install wine if a user wants to install a .exe file  
Written by icicle the 29 Dec 08 at 22:07. New
Many users HAVE to use Windows-software (sadly).

I found that they just don't know about the existence of wine. I speak of users who even don't know that it is not possible to install Windows software directly in Ubuntu (without wine).

It would be helpful and easy for those users if they would see a message dialog, when they double-click an exe-file. This dialog could explain that they want to open a Windows program and that they could try this by using wine.

Then they should have the possibility to cancel or to install wine. After the installation the exe-file should be started with wine automatically.

UPDATE: In the dialog there should be a brief explanation that not all Windows-software will work in wine and that there might be a better linux alternative. Maybe also a link to the wine website.
368
votes
up equal down
Solution #1: Suggest to install wine if a user wants to install a .exe file
Written by icicle the 29 Dec 08 at 22:07.
It would be helpful and easy for those users if they would see a message dialog, when they double-click an exe-file. This dialog could explain that they want to open a Windows program and that they could try this by using wine.

Then they should have the possibility to cancel or to install wine. After the installation the exe-file should be started with wine automatically.

UPDATE: In the dialog there should be a brief explanation that not all Windows-software will work in wine and that there might be a better linux alternative. Maybe also a link to the wine website.
112
votes
up equal down
Solution #2: Suggest a program for a file
Written by znupi the 14 Jan 09 at 18:31.
I heard Fedora has this already implemented, I'm not sure.

This should be generalized, it shouldn't only be for .exe files (who's Windows, anyway? to think it can infest our systems like that!). When a user double clicks a file Ubuntu doesn't have a program to open with, it should ask the user if he/she wants Ubuntu to search for an application to use with that file. Then, Ubuntu searches the repositories for applications that can open that kind of file and present the user with a list of applications. User selects an application, installs it, opens the file!
86
votes
up equal down
Solution #4: Check the wine app database before offering to install
Written by cheesehead the 15 Jan 09 at 03:14.
Check to ensure that the application is likely to install and run before offering to install it.
Naturally, this assumes that the wineHQ database will be both accurate and machine-searchable.
-1
votes
up equal down
Solution #5: Offer to install WINE at installation.
Written by mtod1 the 14 Feb 09 at 07:18.
Users installing Ubuntu should be asked if they will or, would like to use Windows based programs in Ubuntu during installation. Users select a checkbox yes or no and are provided with a list of currently supported WINE applications as of the current release and suggested Linux alternatives are provided.

0
votes
up equal down
Solution #6: Include Wine in Ubuntu (Pre-installed)
Written by mstar the 26 Apr 09 at 08:54.
Most people know about Wine but can't install because they don't have hi speed net or much time to install it. Ubuntu should provide Wine as it provides softwares like GParted, Firefox, GIMP, .....
1
votes
up equal down
Solution #7: automate the needed steps, and give the user an explanation
Written by pegasus0378 the 14 Apr 10 at 09:07.
After a doubleklick, check if wine is installed - if not and the user agrees install it.

After that set the executable bit and imeditaly run the exe with wine.

See the 17 comments or propose a solution (latest comment the 15 Jan 09 at 12:37) >>