#OperatingSystems #Linux #Partitions I'm speculating about replacing this fading computer with a machine running both windows and linux.

[davey@mindly.social]

#OperatingSystems #Linux #Partitions I'm speculating about replacing this fading computer with a machine running both windows and linux. I'd use linux for the internet while i continue to learn its ways. I'd use windows as a platform to run Word Perfect (not Ford Prefect), and for other familiar programs. Visio, even a standalone MSWord, so I don't have to export .docs from LibreOffice or Word Perfect and hear, "Just send it in; we'll straighten out the formatting." I want to be more everyday-functional than I can if I rely on Libre Office, while I'm stumblingly learning its ways.
I'm familiar with lots of Word Perfect shortcuts, whereas all too often I have to figure out what LibreOffice function or shortcut I've turned on, and how to undo what it's created. Everything has a learning curve.
What I'm not clear about is whether I can keep Windows on my machine but disconnected from the internet, while Linux on the same machine talks to the world.
Have done what I'm contemplating? How did it work? What pitfalls do you see?

[kostiya@mastodon.social]

@davey Just a word of advice, don't dual boot on the same drive.
Each OS install on it's own drive, or use as a VM.
That way windows update wouldn't mess up Linux partitions.

[davey@mindly.social]

@kostiya Thank you. If I understand you correctly, there is no way to avoid windows access to the internet, or there wouldn't be an issue of microsoft updating/modifying anything. Do I understand correctly?

[kostiya@mastodon.social]

@davey of course you can block internet inside windows.
Just with a quick search, It seems you can run Word Perfect with wine compatibility layer.
A lot of windows apps can be run this way.
Even if not, you can run them through windows VM using QEMU.
There are apps that would make it look like seemless integration with Linux.
If you need some help on how to do stuff, you are welcome to contact me.

[davey@mindly.social]

@kostiya Thank you for your kind suggestions. Neither Wine nor Codeweaver/crossOver seems to rate recent versions of WP as very compatible, so i reckon I will go with the dual OS and disable Windows internet access..