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New Crossover Release With Improved Compatibility
solanum writes "On March 2nd Crossover 9.0 was released. CrossOver 9 features a new user interface that focuses on making installation of Windows software quicker and easier than previous versions. Another new feature is CrossOver's ability to download installation 'recipes' directly from CodeWeavers online Compatibility Database. 'If another CrossOver user has figured out how to use CrossOver to install a Windows application, they can upload that installation recipe to our database,' said Jeremy White, CodeWeavers chief executive officer. 'As we go forward, and build this online storehouse, CrossOver will begin to automatically install that same application for other users. This enables us to move closer to a world where CrossOver will begin to run the majority of Windows apps, and not just an officially supported subset. In other words, our diabolical plot for world domination is going exactly as planned,' he added. Early reviews and comments are positive, and my own experience is that many more Windows applications work in this new version than previously."
CompatAbility? :)
I know I will be modded to Oblivion. But thanks I have Mono, open source, Cross platform and .Net Framework (and IMO better than Java). I don't have to muck around with my applications to be compatible with other OS.
I'm not going to mod you, but I will respond. Cross-platform initiatives like Mono and Java take a shot at addressing the realm that Crossover handles, but they are far from a working or complete solution. Here's why:
Many applications - specifically, many of the ones that are important enough to make a person choose an operating system - are not written in Mono or Java. The reason why is worthy of discussion, but that doesn't affect the fact that this is the case. These applications include the obvious set: the Microsoft Office suite, Photoshop, AutoCAD, ArcGIS, mainstream games, et cetera. Linux as a platform could be desired (by the users) or applied to increase productivity, but the criticality of these applications prohibits it from being even considered.
Now, Windows virtualization has done wonders for allowing such software to be usable in a Linux environment, but there are both integration and performance issues with that solution. Furthermore, it can be difficult for a nth-degree-removed user to justify to management why they still need a Windows license but want to go out of their way not to run Windows.
On the other side, even cross-platform languages like Mono and Java still can have platform dependencies written into them. Many applications need or use functionality beyond that which is provided in the .NET Runtime API and resort to native interface calls. Poor programming can result in hard-coded filesystem specifics (like path separators). Cross-platform-aware vendors may write Windows- and Linux-specific parts of their larger codebase, but others will not. Point being, an application is not cross-platform merely on virtue of being written in a cross-platform language.
Be it issues with language or issues with general compatibility, there is a need to run Windows applications in a Linux environment that is not really solvable without a compatibility layer like Crossover. Until (if ever) vendors actually make a point of releasing cross-platform builds (or platform-specific builds for all mainstream platforms), Crossover provides a low-cost functional solution to a real user and industry need, and with it removes a roadblock that can, for many, completely disqualify non-Windows operating systems as a platform choice.
Still wont run the only apps I need to ditch windows.
Sony Vegas and a couple other video editing apps.
there is NOTHING under linux that is usable outside very simple home movies. I'd pay 2X the price for Vegas retail if I could get it for Linux.
And yes, I have tried everything for linux video editing, they all either completely suck or are half done, or are designed for home users... OpenShot is nice for home use, sucks for editing a 1 hour TV episode with tons of composting and CG.
Do not look at laser with remaining good eye.
Consider it donation to Wine.
I personally find that it offers better usability -less configuration- than Wine.
GENERATION 25: The first time you see this, copy it into your sig on any forum and add 1 to the generation.
Yeah, I never understood the hatred towards CodeWeavers. They are the epitome of open-source business - they fund and support the foundation project (wine) by hiring devs and contributing piles of patches back. Unlike say, TransGaming which forked Wine ages ago.
Personally I have subs for both Linux and MacOS - it seems yearly they have these great specials, and I renew my support then. I think I only paid $35 this year because they had a 50% off special ($35/yr support for each product), and then got a bonus 6 months for being an existing customer, and then they gave me another year because this release took so long.
Heck, it's a great way to play Valve's games on MacOS (at least until Steam comes to native OS X).
You mean similar to how your comment came freshly packed with Misunderstanding 1.0? ;)
Any sufficiently advanced intelligence is indistinguishable from stupidity.
That's weird. I have no trouble using Wine on 64-bit Mac OS X (both with the 32-bit and 64-bit kernels; not that running the fully 64-bit kernel matters, as the 32-bit kernel still supports 64-bit processes.)
Wine is open source. They can change anything they want. CodeWeavers already does lots of wine development.