Can i use windows programs

You can use WINE[1] to try to run some. However, if you are looking for a paid option, you can also use a fork of WINE, called CrossOver Office[2]

[1] sudo apt-get install wine
[2] http://www.codeweavers.com/products/cxoffice/

You can use come Windows programs with Wine/Cedega/CrossOver Office, but this is very inefficient because all are emulator of Windows API. You can use programs included in Ubuntu that have the same funcionality as Windows counterparts:
Photoshop -> The Gimp
Office -> OpenOffice
Messenger -> Gaim, aMSN...
....
This programs have the same or similar features than Windows counterparts and don't cause the overhead of emulation.

Best regards,
neuromancer

Actually, there is no "emulation overhead", since they are not emulated libraries. However, I agree, it would be wiser to first try out the free options available.

There is a good list with many replacements for Windows software here. http://www.linuxrsp.ru/win-lin-soft/table-eng.html#1

To replace Photoshop use the Gimp and Xara Xtreme.
The GIMP is a pixel-based editor, whereas Xara Xtreme is more like Coreldraw.
If you also need to do 3d modeling use Blender.

Although there are people claiming Photoshop works with Wine. Some claim it requires a crack though (even if you have a legitimate version).

What are the other apps you want to run? Here are some more linux clones:
  Winamp -> XMMS (compatible with winamp skins)
  Soulseek -> Nicotine
  Nero Burning -> K3B

The add/remove section contains thousands of programs. But its not all that is it out there. Another place to look is gnomefiles.org They have lots of nice programs.

If you want some more mature games go look at happypenguin.org They have all games for linux ever released it seems. If you are into 3d deathmatch and all be sure to check out Nexuiz and Warsow. If you're into racing vdrift is a really nice game. You can also checkout ManiaDrive.

Happy free software hunting. Some programs are only distributed as source code. You can check getdeb.net to see if they have compiled it for you, or otherwise ask them to. You can also compile yourself by installing build-essentials and running ./configure and ./compile in the folder of the source code. But this may require you to install other libraries (dependencies). For hassle-free installation, always get yourself a .deb file.

If you need Internet Explorer for some crappy website or because you are a webdevelopper google for 'IES4Linux'. There you will find an installation script which will install one of all of the IE versions out there.

If these comments solved your problem, please consider closing this request as answered. You can find useful information on managing your support requests here: https://wiki.ubuntu.com/SupportRequests

If you are still having problems, let us know and we'll keep working on them.

Thanks-

Jim Jones

Derek-

It appears that your support request has been thoroughly answered.

If these comments solved your problem, please consider closing this request as answered. You can find useful information on managing your support requests here: https://wiki.ubuntu.com/SupportRequests

If you are still having problems, let us know and we'll keep working on them.

Thanks-

Jim Jones

Thanks