Linux fans who feel the need to run a Windows app or two can take advantage of WINE, which enables 
most programs written for Windows to run on the Linux desktop. But what about those seeking the opposite -- Windows fans that need to run Linux apps?
If you're lucky, someone has already ported your favorite Linux app over to Windows. If not, here are some options for getting Linux apps on your Vista or XP desktop. It sounds daunting, but don't be scared -- all of these methods utilize the incredibly popular and easy to grasp Ubuntu Linux distribution.
What's the need for Linux apps on Windows?
As for why you'd want to do this, there are several Linux apps that are much better -- and with more advanced features -- than their Windows counterparts. 
For example, Amarok is a superior alternative to Windows Media Player or iTunes, especially if you ever need to take music off your iPod. Amarok lets you move files in both directions -- onto the iPod and from the iPod onto your desktop, a function that iTunes by itself does not provide. Amarok also has better options for tagging your music than iTunes, and it features integration with Wikipedia and the Last.fm social network.
Web developers and designers could test their pages against Linux browsers like Konqueror or Epiphany. Also, those working in scientific fields probably use a number of Linux-based apps that haven't yet been ported to Windows (and may never be).
Running apps in a faux-native environment will always be easier than dual-booting into a second OS. And aside from the practical concerns, it's just plain cool. Or creepy, depeding on your bias.
andLinux
Check out andLinux, a complete Ubuntu Linux distribution built to run on all modern, 32-bit Windows operating systems like XP and Vista.
AndLinux isn't quite the same thing as WINE, since andLinux actually loads the full Linux kernel, but andLinux does make Linux apps look like they're running natively on Windows. In other words, they behave somewhat like Windows apps running in the "Coherence Mode" of Parallels or "Unity mode" of VMWare on the Mac.
Under the hood, andLinux uses CoLinux as its core. CoLinux is an unholy merger of Windows and the Linux kernel, and is not an emulated PC. As with WINE, the fact that it's not emulated means you get a significant performance boost.
Keep in mind that andLinux is a beta and may have some rough edges, but if you're dying to get Linux and Windows playing nice, it should do the job.
Installation
There are some basic install instructions at the andLinux website. However, Adam Pash over at Lifehacker has put together a much better tutorial showing you how to install KDE Ubuntu with andLinux.
Tip: andLinux lets you choose how much system memory you want to dedicate to Linux. The installer recommends 192MB, but give it 512MB more if you have the memory to spare.
Tip: Ubuntu will install with several key apps (browser, media player, e-mail client) but if you want more, use the Synaptic installer to browse downloadable programs. Synaptic is accessible through the KDE start menu which now shows up in Windows' system tray (in the lower-right, next to the clock).
Wubi
Another option is to use Wubi, which installs the latest stable release of Ubuntu on your Windows machine. The installer was originally intended to draw in the curious by letting you run Ubuntu Linux on a Windows machine without actually having to install a second operating system. But it has the side-effect of allowing you to run Linux apps within a Windows environment.
Cygwin
Cygwin is another possibility. It provides a good deal of Linux functionality and APIs via a DLL. It allows you to compile Linux applications that don't have a Windows version.
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