I have a couple win 7 setups for audio apps that run ilok software manager,
some others sold dirt cheap for whatever reasons, or came bundled with hardware.
A very few have ilok-manager working in linux, but it's a long shot in most cases,
and may be tenuous when 'updating'.
As time allows, I attempt getting these estras
working in wine staging. When a 'killer app' becomes usable,
that particular .wine folder, and the wine version installers/dependencies (.deb files)
get backed up, and _that_ wine setup gets no further updates on the OS it's running in,
getting heavy use, and providing great enjoyment.
By 'killer app', I mean it must be an industry standard, it's capabilities
highly prized in my daily use, and is Reaper-friendly. Your definition may vary.
My main 'killer app' is Native Access, which allows authorized use
of the Kontakt and Reaktor killer apps, with their massive and delightful collections of
both free, and paid instruments and effects, and a large array of Native Instruments
apps and plugins dating back more than 10 years, which retain their greatness.
IK Multimedia products would be 'killer apps', but they almost always just work in recent
wine versions,with little of no fuss, so they will get use in several
linux variants, ('no fears, mate!') Puppy, Arch, pclinuxos, the various debian linuxi etc
Now, time to talk about money, and the future. Currently, Miroslav Philharmonic is 250 euro
so lets say, use a bad credit card, call it one euro a day, for a year, (to include any interest)
to own a high-end orchestral production system. What do we squander a euro on
each day? coffee? pastries? booze? dope? A fine-car addiction? TV subsriptions?
yada yada, I ain't yo mama......................................hat tip to Beyonce!
)
In my case, I haven't had a trip thru the burger drive-thru, all year,
all I get is the smoke when down-wind, and only
one Starbucks coffee (pacing while my wife was being prepped for surgery)
my cars are '90's and older, but I have a nice selection of software,
because I love making music more than the niceties mentioned,
We have great freedom to choose. And some might say,
a responsibility to choose wisely.
Cheers