Hi,
One of the reasons why Linux distributions do not want to include Wine by default is because compatibility issues may result a bad impression of the quality of the OS. Users think Linux sucks because their Windows application does not run (as good) under Wine as it does under Windows.
Problem: Windows applications ran by Wine do not always run without issues and the user does not know why. Hence, (s)he will think this is because Linux is less stable than Windows.
What do Wine coders think about solving the issue by adding a user feedback interface to Wine? It may for instance work like this:
* By default open a user feedback dialog after the application is closed (or crashes). In this dialog, the user will be explained why this dialog is shown, and why he might have experienced bugs or crashes in the Windows application. The user also can provide text feedback and other types of feedback (e.g. a checkbox saying "The application crashed"). * The user has the option to send this information to the Wine project by hitting a button. Gathered information will be integrated in the Wine application database and can be helpful for Wine coders and users.
Advantages: * Users will better understand why their application did not run as well on Linux as on Windows. * Wine will become more interesting to be actively supported by Linux distributors. * Users will feel they easily can contribute to the Wine project. * The Wine project will receive more feedback.
Other subidea: Create a database with hashes of .exe files. Wine can consult this database *before* it executes a Windows binary and provide the user with feedback like this: "Remark that 60% of users were not satisfied when running this application in this Wine version. Do you want to proceed?" Or like this: "This application has these issues: ... Do you want to proceed?"
-- Kind Regards, Sander Devrieze.