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my ubuntu experience 2.0

September 29, 2009

I’m having problems with my IntelliCAD based programs running on WinE. The cursur has a tendency to disappear in the middle of work and I can’t figure out whether the problem is in the hardware or WinE itself. I’ve tried ProgeCAD and ZWCAD and both are having the same problem. Why is that so? Haven’t relayed this to the WineHQ website but I have to do this ASAP for I need this software as much as possible because my migration from windows based CAD is not complete yet. (I have written this piece prior to conducting additional research but just before I post this I have found out that the performance of CAD has deteriorated somewhat from satisfactory in previous versions to garbage at the latest release of WinE, which is what I have right now in my laptop)

I can’t run the STRAN4 installer in WinE. Whenever I click on the setup.exe file it just stays there. Nothing except for that blue background that is typical of any install programs. GRASP is working well in WinE except that the cursor can’t snap to the grid which causes some irritation to my mood when working on something.

As far as gaming is concerned I don’t have any problem running my legacy software here like Caesar 3, Age of Empire 2 and StarCraft. These things work well seamlessly. I just dont know if it can handle SIM City 4 although I don’t have time for games lately and I prefer something that can be finished in one sitting.

Posted by profaranda at 2:34 am | permalink | Add comment

My Ubuntu Experience

September 6, 2009
I recently switch my OS to Ubuntu 8.10 around two weeks ago and I prepare myself for a whole new experience. The notion that I’m “isolating” myself is not exactly an issue although the necessity to be online to get the necessary updates is a must. The experience is not new to me since I tried to run my old desktop PC (P3 450 RAM 128) using Xubuntu. The installation work fine but when I tried to update I inadvertedly press random of them at the synaptice file manager which caused errors and forcing me to abandon my project. But the good thing is I learned much from Linux and when I brought my laptop ( 2nd hand Toshiba ) I decided to try it since it has wireless capability. I decided on  this gamble even though I’m very aware that I won’t be able to use many engineering applications which normally runs on Windows such as CAD and SWMM
 
My linux experience got a lot better when I discover Wine emulator. This program which emulates the windows environment in LINUX has enable me to use my favorite modeling tools such as STELLA, ProgeCAD, EPANET and SWMM while at the same time allow me to explore Linux based softwares such as QCAD and the Linux fork of EPANET. The kinks however are the following
 
1. Wine operates as if it is a computer within a computer. There is a virtual C: disk which also uses memory
2. for help files to run, an internet browser should also be installed within the WINE environment. This also applies to Adobe acrobat reader to be installed in order to read PDF help files when you press the buttons or icons within the window.
 
I consider these kinks as not so serious but for some who have a lot of expectations this could mean a serious matter. I’ll post some updates sooner, it takes time to be familiar with a new OS
Posted by profaranda at 4:39 pm | permalink | Add comment