Hey there Linux enthusiasts! I wonder what you think about this Windows Subsystem for Linux and which apps you installed. I installed openSUSE from Microsoft store (sounds weird right?) just to check the feature out. So far I can only play around with Linux commands in the "terminal". Any other uses of these? Maybe apps that are exclusive to Linux?
A few of us here use WSL to varying degrees. I tend to have Ubuntu installed to mess around with. I don't do much with it though as I have Kubuntu installed on second machine.
Most text based or terminal should install ok on WSL, I installed a few small apps such as Lynx browser, irssi, htop resource monitor etc.
I've used Cygwin as my Linux simulator for over ten years now.
But this new WSL (with Ubuntu) beats it in most respects, most especially in speed.
As for installed apps ... none.
Windows is for apps. Linux is for command line scripts.
Thanks for the replies. Keeping it for the command line practice.
Hi there
@decimus
@margrave55
if you install an X-server for Windows you can actually run some Linux GUI apps (you won't get a full Linux GUI though but some individual apps work quite well)
This X-server works for me : VcXsrv Windows X Server download | SourceForge.net
What I like is that any Linux file manager can handle long path / directory and file names --the 266 limitation on standard windows apps has irritated me for ages -- especially with large disk capacities in RAID configurations.
WSL can also handle Linux formatted file systems and run SAMBA. I think UBUNTU is the easiest to use on WSL --to get some GUI apps you can install the KDE plasma desktop via Ubuntu's package manager, start the Windows X-Server, connect to a screen on your Ubuntu and then try and start some apps. Dolphin (file manager) and kpatience (spider solitaire etc) work perfectly. GRSYNC - another great program for backing up data works a treat too -- note this is for DATA backup --for system imaging I use like a lot of people on these boards the excellent Macrium Free edition.
here' s two examples on Ubuntu using WSL on W10 -- have fun !!!!
Cheers
jimbo
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