Myth 10: "Wine is for Intel x86 only" Well, it is true that Wine only runs on Intel's x86 processors. Unfortunately it will also require quite a lot of work before it runs on other processor architectures.
But what do we mean by 'running on a non x86 processor'.
First it can mean 'I can compile a Windows application on Sparc, link it with Winelib, and have it run on Solaris'. I know, this is not what you had in mind. This may seem very restrictive and yet would be very useful: it means easy porting of Windows applications to almost any Unix architecture. In any case this is the first step towards allowing Wine to run on other processor architectures. Unfortunately Wine's code is not very portable to other processor architectures, partly because some parts of it have to know a lot about the processor, and partly because most of it makes assumptions like 'sizeof(int)==sizeof(pointer)' and 'byte-sex==little-endian'. This is being worked on though, and progress is being made albeit slowly.
Then we could take it to mean 'Wine on Alpha should be able to run Windows NT Alpha applications'. The prerequisite for this is that Winelib compiles on Alpha (or MIPS, the other defunct Windows NT platform). Now, would it be really useful? I don't think many people have Windows NT applications for the Alpha or MIPS processor. So this is probably not that useful and also rather unlikely to happen since we would need a programmer who has just this combination of hardware and software to work on it.
Then there's what everyone has been waiting for: 'I want to be able to run my x86 Windows applications on any processor architecture I like. That's the most complex one. Again the prerequisite is that Winelib works on this architecture, which will definitely happen someday. Then 'all that is needed' is to integrate an x86 emulator with Wine (and also change Wine's name:-). Ulrich Weigand just did that as an experiment some time ago when he had 'some spare time'. He even managed to get some Win16 applications to run. His code was not in a state where it could be integrated into Wine yet and I don't know how much work has been put into pursuing it. His attempt did spark many discussions on Wine's mailing list though. The result is that we would need a sophisticated emulator including a JIT in order to get something really viable (i.e. not too slow). And developing such an emulator is a whole project in itself. Does it mean it will never happen? Not sure. Maybe we'll get some motivated developers once the Winelib problems are solved. Of course, it would happen much faster if, for instance, Compaq made its Fx32! Intel x86 emulator Open Source and financed the development of Wine for their Alpha machines. As with all Open Source projects, if enough people are interested and pool their resources together, it will happen.
You are right the new G5's will not run OS 9, but the last round of G4's could not run it either. Apple has made it clear to all that will listen that OS 9 is dead. They support running OS 9 applications for compatibility, but will no longer develop OS 9 as a standalone OS. You can decide if this is good or bad, but at least they have been up front about it.
As someone who found the cost of upgrading 4 home systems to the new version of MSoffice unaceptable, I now use Staroffice for everything I once used MSoffice for at home. I find that Staroffice more than meets my needs, in fact I just finished my year end performance wrightups with Staroffice and the company provided MSoffice template. I must admit that some of the features are hard to find at first, but it was that way in MSoffice when I first started using it too. I don't expect a free lunch, but I do expect more for my munney than MS seams to think I should get.
Turn them on to Staroffice. They can install in on there MS boxes right next to MSOffice to start with, and when the next pc comes through the door without Office, give it to the person who is the most comfertable with Staroffice. Move them one person at a time to Staroffice on Windows, after all it?s gust another pice of software from another big company (SUN in this case). Once they have most of there computer needs met by non MS software they will be more open to other changes.
I think you are forgeting that a large part of our population is over the age of 55 and the insidense of disabilitys increses quickley with age. I know my dad has more trouble seeing than he did just 5 years ago. I was considering helping him set up his next computer as a dule boot but he will be needing a good utility like magnifier soon.
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Here is another option. Authentium ESP Antivirus by Authentium, Inc.
It looks it is only being developed for the Macintosh but it still looks nice. Griffin RadioSHARK
From the Wine web site
:-). Ulrich Weigand just did that as an experiment some time ago when he had 'some spare time'. He even managed to get some Win16 applications to run. His code was not in a state where it could be integrated into Wine yet and I don't know how much work has been put into pursuing it. His attempt did spark many discussions on Wine's mailing list though. The result is that we would need a sophisticated emulator including a JIT in order to get something really viable (i.e. not too slow). And developing such an emulator is a whole project in itself.
Myth 10: "Wine is for Intel x86 only"
Well, it is true that Wine only runs on Intel's x86 processors. Unfortunately it will also require quite a lot of work before it runs on other processor architectures.
But what do we mean by 'running on a non x86 processor'.
First it can mean 'I can compile a Windows application on Sparc, link it with Winelib, and have it run on Solaris'. I know, this is not what you had in mind. This may seem very restrictive and yet would be very useful: it means easy porting of Windows applications to almost any Unix architecture. In any case this is the first step towards allowing Wine to run on other processor architectures. Unfortunately Wine's code is not very portable to other processor architectures, partly because some parts of it have to know a lot about the processor, and partly because most of it makes assumptions like 'sizeof(int)==sizeof(pointer)' and 'byte-sex==little-endian'. This is being worked on though, and progress is being made albeit slowly.
Then we could take it to mean 'Wine on Alpha should be able to run Windows NT Alpha applications'. The prerequisite for this is that Winelib compiles on Alpha (or MIPS, the other defunct Windows NT platform). Now, would it be really useful? I don't think many people have Windows NT applications for the Alpha or MIPS processor. So this is probably not that useful and also rather unlikely to happen since we would need a programmer who has just this combination of hardware and software to work on it.
Then there's what everyone has been waiting for: 'I want to be able to run my x86 Windows applications on any processor architecture I like. That's the most complex one. Again the prerequisite is that Winelib works on this architecture, which will definitely happen someday. Then 'all that is needed' is to integrate an x86 emulator with Wine (and also change Wine's name
Does it mean it will never happen? Not sure. Maybe we'll get some motivated developers once the Winelib problems are solved. Of course, it would happen much faster if, for instance, Compaq made its Fx32! Intel x86 emulator Open Source and financed the development of Wine for their Alpha machines. As with all Open Source projects, if enough people are interested and pool their resources together, it will happen.
You are right the new G5's will not run OS 9, but the last round of G4's could not run it either. Apple has made it clear to all that will listen that OS 9 is dead. They support running OS 9 applications for compatibility, but will no longer develop OS 9 as a standalone OS. You can decide if this is good or bad, but at least they have been up front about it.
As someone who found the cost of upgrading 4 home systems to the new version of MSoffice unaceptable, I now use Staroffice for everything I once used MSoffice for at home. I find that Staroffice more than meets my needs, in fact I just finished my year end performance wrightups with Staroffice and the company provided MSoffice template. I must admit that some of the features are hard to find at first, but it was that way in MSoffice when I first started using it too. I don't expect a free lunch, but I do expect more for my munney than MS seams to think I should get.
Turn them on to Staroffice. They can install in on there MS boxes right next to MSOffice to start with, and when the next pc comes through the door without Office, give it to the person who is the most comfertable with Staroffice. Move them one person at a time to Staroffice on Windows, after all it?s gust another pice of software from another big company (SUN in this case). Once they have most of there computer needs met by non MS software they will be more open to other changes.
I think you are forgeting that a large part of our population is over the age of 55 and the insidense of disabilitys increses quickley with age. I know my dad has more trouble seeing than he did just 5 years ago. I was considering helping him set up his next computer as a dule boot but he will be needing a good utility like magnifier soon.
I think you are forgeting that a large part of our population is over the age of 55 and the insidense of disabilitys increses quickley with age.