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Ok, this is probably why you are here, so let’s not string it out.  I recently freshly installed a dual boot Ubuntu/Win XP machine, and installed World of Warcraft on both sides.  Instead of reinventing the wheel and rewriting the guides in one place, I will provide the workflow and links to the instructions I used to get everything working.  All credit and respect to the authors of the pages linked within.

This post will be updated now and again as changes warrant.  So, let’s get our hands dirty!

The guide assumes that you have installed Ubuntu Hardy Heron, Desktop edition, and have working sound, graphics (not graphics drivers, we’ll get the good ones installed later), keyboard and mouse.

Step 1.  Update the system!
terminal: sudo aptitude update && sudo aptitude dist-upgrade

1a.  Install Ubuntu Restricted Extras.  Things like DVD playback, Mp3 codecs, stuff that just cannot be shipped with the distro for legal reasons.  For our purposes, it installs the Microsoft core fonts.  Makes everything Windows look more native.
terminal:

Step 2. Install graphics card drivers.  Use EnvyNG

2a. http://www.albertomilone.com/envyngfaq.html#A to install.

2b. Choose your graphics card brand, method of install, and apply (automatic selection should be fine for most users.)

Step 3. install Wine
http://www.winehq.org/site/download-deb
3a. terminal: winecfg - Sets up the .wine directory
Drives tab - Autodetect - Apply

Step 4. Get WoW installed in Wine
http://www.wowwiki.com/Linux/Wine#Installing_WoW
Notes : Method 1 works, but if you have the version on CDs, not DVD, this will suck.  the solution is to copy the contents of all the CDs into one folder, then burn a DVD from the CONTENTS of that folder (not the folder itself).  Works for WoW and BC.  If you’re not totally cheap, grab the trial DVD for a copy of the client on one disk.
Method 2 is basically the above trick run directly from the hard disk.
Method 3 is the easiest of the lot if you are dual booting. During the ubuntu install, you had the chance to mount your windows partition on boot in Ubuntu. (sually inder /dos or /windows.)  If you went that route, then it’s a simple copy and paste job from /windows/Program Files/World of Warcraft/.

Step 5. Configuration
5a. Apply registry tweak for Nvidia cards
terminal: regedit
http://www.wowwiki.com/Linux/Wine#Registry_Tweak_for_FPS_Boost

5b. Config.WTF
http://www.wowwiki.com/Linux/Wine#Config.wtf
Notes: Editing a textfile in Linux that was created in Windows can tricky.  Save yourself a hassle and download Metapad (http://www.liquidninja.com/metapad/) in Windows and use if you need to edit any of your config files from the Windows side.

Notes:  You might see reference to an addon called ApplyToForehead.  With the newest versions of Wine, I have not needed this at all.  If you experience crashing while changing screen resolutions in game, then try ApplyToForhead.  If not, let it pass.

Step 6. Make it easy to start!
http://www.wowwiki.com/Linux/Wine#Playing
Notes: Did you get any permission errors?  If you do, remember the command “sudo !!”.  This will repeat the last command entered with sudo privileges.  Did the icon not launch WoW?  Did you remember to replace <username> in that looooong line #5 with your own username?  I’ve made this mistake too many times to count.

Step 7.  Disable Compiz (If necessary).

Compiz provides all the flashy desktop bling that Vista imitated and pretended to innovate.  Sometimes, it can also cause your WoW session to totally blackscreen.  Now, I have seen people play WoW with Compiz, and I envy them deeply.  If you are one of the unlucky few: just disable the desktop effects before you play WoW.  Along the top menu bar, you will see the System entry.  teh menu chain is System > Preferences > Appearance > Choose None.

Step 8.  Fire it up and log into all characters to make sure everything made the transition.  If it’s a fresh install, this will create the account and character subfolder structure.

Step 9.  Enable in-game voice chat with USB headsets
http://www.wowwiki.com/Linux/Wine/Misc#In-Game_Voice_Chat_with_USB_Headsets

Step 9.5 Install Ventrilo
http://appdb.winehq.org/appview.php?iVersionId=3936

If at all possible, talk your guild into trying Mumble.  It’s a native Linux client, and it’s open source.  However, I could only find one site renting servers: Mumblex.net.  Silver lining though: that site seemed to be half the price of Typefrag for the same number of users.

Step 10 Install WoW UI Updater
http://wuu.vagabonds.info/menu.php

9a.  Download Linux/Mac version from the Download link.  Beta is fine.
9b.  Create folder .WUU Terminal: mkdir ~/.WUU
9c.  Extract downloaded .zip into ~/.WUU (use file-roller or any other means necessary)
9d.  Install support files.  Terminal: sudo apt-get install python2.5 python-wxgtk2.8
9e.  Run!  Terminal: python ~/.WUU/WUU.py
9f.  (optional) Create a launcher for the above command.

And that’s pretty much the whe whole shebangabang!  WoW in Linux, with in-game USB headphone chat, Ventrilo and an alternative to Wowace Updater.  Including installing ubuntu itself, this took me about 3 hours, including troubleshooting.  If you need help, here are some resources:

http://www.wowwiki.com/Linux/Wine/Troubleshooting

http://ubuntuforums.org/

WineHQ’s World of Warcraft 2.4 entry

The Ubuntu forums are the gold standard in friendly, helpful community support.  If you have system issues not covered anywhere else, take them to the Ubuntu Forums.  As a testement: Ubuntuforums.org features a section for users of other distributions to discuss their issues.  Even Windows.  The community is so strong that it still cares for those who leave.  Suck that, Balmer!

Let’s not mince words:  I wrote myself into a hole.  I realized quickly that down that road lay madness.  I’ve taken my first blog mulligan.  I’ll own it.  Let’s just get on with it!