Decreasing information technology expenses by using emulators on Windows and Linux platforms

The two most popular operating systems (continues: OS) nowadays are Windows (wide range of products) and Linux (various distributions). Every OS has different development history, aimed application and different hardware implementation. The popularity of Windows operating systems is on a very high level but, today, Linux has proved that high quality software doesn't necessarily have to be commercial software. Linux and Windows operating systems and their applications are not compatible because of kernel and file systems differences and program code execution. That means that the users have to decide which OS they will use depending on economical and financial possibilities. The problem of using applications under different operating systems can be solved by emulator programs on both of Windows and Linux platforms. Most widely used emulators today are Wine (on Linux platforms) and VMware (on both platforms). Emulators offer the possibility to execute different applications (even installation of operating systems) on a platform that they were not previously written for. By choosing less expensive (or free) operating systems and appropriate emulators the overall information technology expenses can be significantly decreased.