If you want to run Linux but share your home with someone dedicated to Windows, you can run both operating systems on the same machine. You'll need to set up a dual-boot system that lets you decide whether to run Windows or Linux when you start the machine.
Run
Windows or Linux
You can do this either
by partitioning a fresh hard drive to have both DOS (Windows) and Linux
partitions, or by repartitioning your existing drive with a utility that
doesn't destroy your current data--(V Communications' System
Commander Deluxe or Partition Commander, for instance). You'll then
need to install Linux on your new Linux partition and set up LILO (included
with Linux) or another boot manager to let you choose either Windows or
Linux on start-up. Check out this Linux
and Win 95 how-to for more details.
Run
Windows Occasionally
If you only need to run
a couple Windows apps every once in a while, check out Wine.
This freeware utility emulates Windows well enough to run many Windows
applications under Linux. The Wine site provides a database of supported
applications, so you can get an idea of what works and what doesn't.
Run
Windows in Linux
If your app doesn't qualify,
there's another option: VMware for Linux actually runs a copy of Windows
3.1, 95, 98, NT 4.0, or any of several other operating systems inside Linux.
The product is currently in beta; you can download a copy here.
The major issue with VMware is that it boosts your system requirements
beyond what either Linux or Windows needs on its own. You'll need at least
a Pentium with 64MB of RAM, though VMware suggests a Pentium II with 96MB
for best performance. Still, if you love Linux but can't completely cut
out Windows, VMware may provide a feasible option.
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