Ancient Windows run on Linux

The downside is that it only runs the Windows 95, 98 and ME applications and it has to be done using some special kit.

Element Computer, which sells Linux tin, managed to create its really useful Linux Windows hybrid desktop by breeding its flavour of Linux, ION OS, with PC technology from NeTraverse Win4Lin. The developers nipped out and bought a licensed copy of Microsoft Windows 98SE so users will not have to find one amoung those old scratched CD-ROMs they set aside when XP came out.

The Linux component is built on top of the Xandros Desktop Framework, which in turn is based on Debian Linux.

There are downsides. Element has to customise the computer r PC and drivers are provided only for a specific computer's equipment. In other words there are limited upgrades you can do to the machine.

But the advantage is that the Windows programs run separately within the system so the computer is immune to Windows based viruses. You can also cut and paste between Windows and Linux applications.

According to a review at eWeek, the package is not as bad as it sounds as it was able to get the computer to run later Windows applications just fine. However Element admits on its site that its computer isn't for gamers and video hardware acceleration is not supported. µ