We need to deliver Windows 2000 application functionality to Linux clients. The open source Windows Emulation package WINE will not build and the commercial package VMWare will not install. Is there another option? We have Windows 2003 Terminal Services available.

Linux systems running X Windows can use rdesktop from www.rdesktop.org to make client connections to Windows Terminal Services servers.

The client uses Remote Desktop Protocol to communicate with terminal servers to provide Linux users with a remote Windows desktop connection inside an X Windows session window.

Download and unpack the rdesktop tar file, run 'configure,' and then run 'make' to build the executable program. The executable will be named 'rdesktop' and can be installed on multiple clients by copying the program.

Rdesktop can then be used to connect to Windows terminal servers and XP Professional systems that have remote desktop connections enabled. Remote Desktop Clients can access a standard MS Office installation on XP Professional.

Installing MS Office on a Windows terminal server requires that you use the Custom Office Installation Wizard.

Blass is a network architect at Change@Work in Houston. He can be reached at dr.internet@changeatwork.com.