You can run Windows unique executables with Wine or VMWare on top of Linux.

Yes, I know that, and I mentioned it in my initial posting. Part of my work is with 3D models and large 3D data sets that you have to walk through. I need the graphics acceleration from a hardware device. VMware is getting better on that front, but it still is nowhere near using a real professional graphics card in hardware.

The less that is said about Wine, the better. I have found it to be the most frustrating piece of software in all of OSS. And yes, I know about CodeWeavers’ commercial version.

I’ve also used remote X11 sessions, remote desktop to a Windows box, and vnc sessions. I’ve tried all the various approaches, and it really is easier to use it on local hardware.

I also have had absolutely no issues with Windows. The only box (out of a dozen or so) I have that has never crashed runs W2K. I’ve even stopped running anti-malware programs, since I never get any (yes, I do check every now and again), use a good firewall, and practice safe computing on them.

I’m no Windows lover, but I think most of the complaints about it are ill-founded, and it does have its place. Using Unix tools (like the ones from AT&T) even make the command-line usable. It is no replacement for *nix, but for some things it is really the only way. I could go into my workflow, but that really is beyond the scope of this forum.