User-friendly handling of Windows®-based applications

Registered by Sergey "Shnatsel" Davidoff

Create an app that shows up on opening .exe files, explains the situation and installs Wine if requested.

Blueprint information

Status:
Complete
Approver:
None
Priority:
Not
Drafter:
None
Direction:
Needs approval
Assignee:
None
Definition:
Obsolete
Series goal:
None
Implementation:
Beta Available
Milestone target:
None
Started by
Sergey "Shnatsel" Davidoff
Completed by
Danielle Foré

Related branches

Sprints

Whiteboard

TheLolrus: I propose a different way to handle windows applications. I know as a previous windows user new to linux I would click .exes but suggesting WINE and opening it as an archive would be a bad idea for new users. So why not just only have the first entry in the application, so if someone makes the same mistake of running a windows app they are told to look for alternatives? Someone who is actually interested in "getting their hands dirty" can either open it with file-roller or google search information about WINE.

I also think the wrapper does not need a title, it's explanatory and wine-wrapper is confusing.

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netherblood: I've created a working implementation of this, check the "related branches".
     screenshot: http://pix.toile-libre.org/upload/original/1315077274.png

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Should we mention Wine or not?
Should we offer to open it as archive or not?

Possible text to be displayed:
"You're attempting to open an application designed for use on the Microsoft Windows® operating system. elementary OS does not support this application.
   [ ] Open as an archive instead
   [ ] Install Wine, an experimental compatibility layer, and attempt to run this application
[Cancel] [Continue]"

Mockup (obsolete): http://dl.dropbox.com/u/5279564/exe-app.svg

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I've just thought that we will need something like this for .deb files too, according to https://blueprints.launchpad.net/elementaryos/+spec/no-talks-to-strangers
So looks like we have to make an abstracted framework for such things. And we already have it - it's Gaffel (+ BASH glue for translations etc) ~shnatsel

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I assume that by setting priority to "Not" we agree to stick to the current default - opening the .EXE in file-roller? ~shnatsel

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IMHO opening exe files with file-roller is the most stupid thing elementary OS could do, IMHO.

I am for that mockup: http://dl.dropbox.com/u/5279564/exe-app.svg and also implementing something like that for deb files. -- gotwig

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I love the whole idea. We can reuse it for many things. But about archives: we can check if .exe file is an archive and offer appropriate options. --Grzesiek1e5

(?)

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