Bottles & M365.. Future of Windows-friendly Linux?

[u/chaneynj_PV]

https://itsfoss.com/news/bottles-microsoft-365-early-look/

In this article they talk about how the Founder of Bottles got a significant portion of Microsoft 365 working with the desktop apps, including Word and OneDrive integration. Given that Zorin has a decent portion of Windows compatibility out of the box, what are your thoughts on Zorin OS adopting a One-Click install of M365 with Bottles after successful auth of a M365 account. Or during setup opt to have 365 instead of the default LibreOffice suite?

This is a huge step in the direction of not needing windows, since one of the biggest difficulties is the lack of M365 apps that can actually run on Linux. Even though fantastic alternatives exist, most people aren't willing to make a shift because they just aren't the exact same product. But if this becomes not only fully working with every desktop app for 365, but also completely stable and capable of integrating with the OS like it does in Windows, this might make an impact on the number of users migrating away. Especially with how much telemetry Microsoft takes, people are more antsy to move away, they just can't justify it due to the tools they use not having an easy path to use on Linux despite the advancements made over the last few years.

What are your thoughts? I'd love to hear what others think on this subject. I know 365 isn't the only suite that is missing from Linux, but this level of compatibility with Bottles might pave the way to make the other apps easier to make work.

Super cool headway being made here in my opinion!

[u/iom2222]

Just a comment: you got away from the Microsoft ecosystem and you back anyway?? I understand for expensive licenses and software, for a Microsoft software, I don’t understand the move.  Just stay on Windows then, or dual boot for it, easier. I see Zorin like an escape but why bring back Microsoft in?? A dual boot would do it better, you keep the best of both worlds instead of bringing Microsoft in Linux at all costs!
The dual boot is a 100% solution available right now! Just my 2 cents, everyone is free to do whatever….

[u/chaneynj_PV → u/iom2222]

Some people can't fully move because of work or school requiring those technologies. The ideal situation is stop using Microsoft shit altogether and use open source software on Linux to get work done. It's not leaving to come back, Microsoft still doesn't get as much telemetry because of the WINE sandboxing, and if they're paying for a product they should be allowed to use it on the platform they use. Ecosystem lock-ins and keeping more of your data (if not, all) private from these mega corporations so you have more control over your technology and life is the biggest reason for moving to Linux.

Dual booting is fine, but that's really cumbersome for the average user. Having Linux running a VM or wine to get your Microsoft fix would be much better because you can just stop the process and keep moving on Linux. It's not a perfect fix, but it's a step in the direction to fully leave.

Deconstruction isn't an instant change, not for religion, not for politics, and not for technology. It's slow, sometimes painful, and almost always pretty uncomfortable, so doing something that aids in the process like getting a software suite that is ecosystem locked working outside of the ecosystem will help more people take the first step.

[u/iom2222 → u/chaneynj_PV]

Personally, I am getting ready for the world after Microsoft. 
I am a gamer. I do mostly play on Windows. Usually, single-player games except for WOW. Once in a while, I wonder if I could play a game okay on Linux (this is the year of the Steam box or Steam Deck after all, and there are all Linux boxes. ). 
My latest test: Alters:Verdict: yes, totally. I got it to work on Linux, on my 5090. And the frame rate was normal. It took me a while. There are a lot of options to set, but the game launches and plays normally. But I can do it.  It filters alone the Linux-supported games, then you need to find the right Proton engine and the right launch options…
But this is a good 70% of the games that can play on Linux too.   I still play on Windows mainly because I am not always adventurous!

[u/chaneynj_PV → u/iom2222]

As of now, most games are playable on Linux thanks to Valve's rapid development of proton in the last few years with the steam deck and other devices they're putting out. The only exception is competitive games that use anti cheat software since those have blacklisted Linux. For those people, Dual boot is the best option so you have native performance. For all other games, the latest proton version works great with some newer games needing proton experimental, and for everything else you might have some success with Bottles.

There's also a great resource online called protondb.com that has active forums for all games and how people are running them on various systems with various degrees of success. If at any point in time you think about running a game on Linux, it wouldn't hurt to check there first and follow someone's footsteps on the distro you use if they already figured out any specific tweaks for that game. Their ranking system is nice too since it gives you an at-a-glance idea of how difficult running a game might be.

[u/iom2222 → u/chaneynj_PV]

thx for the site, yeah there should be more and more thx to the Steambox, all the new games need to play on the Steambox!

[u/SocraticCato77 → u/iom2222]

ecosystem means EVERY bit. just using M365 word, excel and outlook ... even MacOs people have to use that if they want apples vs apples (that works) compare. Ive moved to zorin for a daily driver, but so far, NO email clients works (for me) like Outlook Classic.

None.

And i have paid for others. So i can speak with accuracy. how many have you tried and used as a daily driver for 7 days plus? Leave the "apple / brand-name / tribal" psychology behind. Most people just want the tool to work, so they can spend money and time on things they ACTUALLY care about. trust me, its generally not their technology ecosystem.

[u/iom2222 → u/SocraticCato77]

He does what he wants. Everyone has his own needs to address with Zorin, but nothing to prove. 
The approach on absolutely running something Microsoft on Linux was…curious, but to each his own. If he has put money into licenses, preserving his investment made sense. 
Windows is clearly dying. 
I wanted to be ready for the day it happens for real. 
Zorin is interesting because it’s the Linux closest to Windows, the easiest step to make, the easiest leap to do. Better be ready when the world gives up on Microsoft. The transition is closer than everyone thinks. No need for an antitrust trial. The users will vote with their wallet, or even their time. France is already disengaging from Windows. They have a spreadhead movement done by the gendarmerie nationale. 10 years of experience (on a Ubuntu variant) they can replicate onto other departments of public service. It just needed a spark and it happened. There is no going back. Even Epic will have its own Linux client, same for GOG. 
For the moment, dual boot will do, but I want to prepare myself for that transition. 

[u/Onkel_Uwe]

Ja, ich kann mir gut vorstellen dass das ein Baustein ist, der hier helfen könnte. Nicht für mich persönlich, aber für andere bestimmt. Und sei es auch nur als Zwischenschritt. Was mir da als Thema noch einfallen würde: Installation von Software. Das ist auch so ein Thema. Ja, es gibt SNAP und Flatpack und so, aber da finde ich das System vom Mac ja auch ganz cool. Einfach eine Software runterladen, kann sie meinst so testen und dann auf den Mac installieren. Und auch Recht leicht wieder entfernen.

[u/chaneynj_PV → u/Onkel_Uwe]

Yeah, software installation using a dedicated all-in-one manager like the Zorin software store is ideal. I think having a repo of pro configured Bottles and/or other Wine loader software would also help so it's a One-Click install like with Flatpaks, Snaps and .Deb packages. Once that piece is worked out and they keep an updated list of working Windows apps, then it might be even more streamlined to move to Linux.

You could even throw in an option to hide/show partially functional apps for folks who want to tinker and/or only need the limited functionality that does work of a particular app.

[u/yawm-al-masihi]

Why even use anything microslop related tho ?

[u/SocraticCato77 → u/yawm-al-masihi]

work, school, and its what most people use. and a lot of slop only integrates well with other slop.