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RealPC For Mac Delayed By MS Cease And Desist

Posted by timothy on from the but-you-can-still-open-98-windows dept.

mgh02114 writes "Microsoft recently purchased the Windows-on-a-Mac emulation program "Virtual PC" from Connectix. Since then, FWB announced that they were working to revive their competing 'Real PC' Windows emulation program for Macintosh OS X. Well, now it looks like Microsoft is trying to kill that program as well. FWB announced that: 'FWB is working diligently to update Real PC and Softwindows for OSX. In May, while working on this project, we received a setback in the form of a cease and desist letter from Microsoft. We are working to resolve the issues with Microsoft, and this has caused some delay, much to our frustration. We are committed to having a beta for you to test for us and help us optimize, this summer. We think we have only lost a few weeks of time to this issue.' FWB appreciates your continued patience and support."

5 of 100 comments (clear)

  1. What? by C0LDFusion · · Score: 4, Interesting

    Windows DOESN'T WANT MORE WINDOWS USERS? In order to run windows on a Mac, you have to buy the license to run the Windows, even with VPC-style emulation.

    This is a load of status-quo crap that Microsoft wants to cram down the throats of those of us who like the Mac platform.

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    1. Re:What? by jimbolaya · · Score: 4, Interesting

      It could be that Microsoft plans on killing VPC, and doesn't want there to be any way to run Windows on Mac. Or it could be that Microsoft wants to monopolize Windows emulation on the Mac. But this is Microsoft...surely they wouldn't try to pull either one of those, would they?

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  2. a need for speed... by dunar · · Score: 3, Interesting

    MS VPC or FWB RealPC - the choice for me would come down to speed. I've used VPC and been less than impressed with its quickness. So much so, that it would almost be faster for me to drive to the office to do the "Windows-only" tasks that I might need to do.

    Luckily my company uses Citrix, which allows me to do my Windows work from the comfort of my Mac!

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    -dunar

  3. Unlikely. by cioxx · · Score: 3, Interesting

    I call bullshit on that theory for one simple reason.

    FWB used to produce the Windows 95/98 Emulator which was called Softwindows. They changed the title of it to RealPC just to avoid extra headaches from Microsoft's legal department.

    I really hope this was on /.'s front page instead of the apple section. If this doesn't look like Microsoft-specific coercion by using their monopolistic strongarm tactics, I don't know what is.

  4. Re:Don't Panic by Daleks · · Score: 4, Interesting

    It could be something as simple as a product naming/trademark issue.

    It's not. Connectix paid FWB off to stop making SoftWindows so VirtualPC would be the only game in town. When MS bought VirtualPC from Connectix, this agreement was null and void from FWB's point of view. Apparently MS differs.

    More info here.