CrossOver (software)
| File:Cxlogo linux.png | |
| Developer(s) | CodeWeavers |
|---|---|
| Stable release | 11.3.0
/ November 5, 2012 |
| Operating system | Linux, Mac OS X |
| Type | Compatibility layer |
| License | Mixed Source (Proprietary/GPL/LGPL) |
| Website | www.codeweavers.com |
CrossOver (a.k.a. CrossOver Office before version 6.0) is the collective name for two commercial and proprietary programs developed by CodeWeavers that allow many Windows-based applications to run on Linux and Mac OS X using a compatibility layer. The programs include CrossOver Mac and CrossOver Linux.
The programs are modified, proprietary versions of the public Wine source tree with various compatibility patches added, more user-friendly configuration tools, and commercial support. CodeWeavers employs several Wine developers and contributes code back to the free software/open-source software Wine project as per the GNU LGPL, although CrossOver is proprietary software.
Versions
CrossOver Mac
In June 2005, CodeWeavers announced a new Apple OS X version of CrossOver Office called CrossOver Mac that will support Windows-to-Mac application porting on Intel-based Macs.[1] Crossover Mac was released on January 10, 2007.[2] With the release of Crossover Mac 7 on June 17, 2008, Crossover Mac was divided into Standard and Pro versions like Crossover Linux. The standard version included six months of support and upgrades, while the Pro version included one year of support and upgrades and a free copy of Crossover Games. With the release CrossOver Mac 11, it now includes the functionality of CrossOver Pro. Customers can now choose between three support levels.
CrossOver Linux
The program aims to integrate properly with GNOME and KDE so that applications will run seamlessly in the Linux environment.
CrossOver Linux was offered in two versions — Standard and Professional. CrossOver Linux Professional provided enhanced deployment and management features for corporate users. The Standard version allowed a single user of a single machine. The Professional version allowed multiple users.
With the release CrossOver Linux 11, it includes now the functionality of CrossOver Pro. Customers can now choose between three support levels.
Discontinued Products
CrossOver includes now the functionality of both the CrossOver Games and CrossOver Pro lines therefore CrossOver Games and CrossOver Pro are no longer available as single products.[3]
CrossOver Games, announced on 10 March 2008,[4] was a new product that let the users play a broad range of games, "particularly games with a lot of replayability such as MMOs like World of Warcraft and the range of games from Valve e.g., Team Fortress 2, Counter-Strike: Source, and so on". The difference from regular CrossOver was that CrossOver Games had a shorter release cycle in order to update faster to the latest work on Wine than with regular CrossOver, which targets stability and reliability.[5]
CrossOver Server was discontinued in 2007 as many of its features now appear in CrossOver Linux Professional. CrossOver Server allowed Windows applications to run in a distributed thin-client environment under Linux and Solaris.
Supported software
An up-to-date full list is available from CodeWeavers’ website.
As of March 2012 this list contained more than 1300 "Gold Medal" (most compatible) applications. Thus the very limited list below is not exhaustive.
Productivity
- Microsoft Office 2010, 2007, 2003, XP, 2000 and 97
- Microsoft Project
- Microsoft Internet Explorer 6, 7, 8
- Adobe Dreamweaver MX, Adobe Flash MX, Adobe Photoshop
- Quicken
- Various web browser plugins such as QuickTime and Windows Media Player
- Enterprise Architect
Games
- Counter-Strike
- Half-Life 2 and games based on it, such as Portal and Team Fortress 2
- Prey
- World of Warcraft
- Eve Online
- Guild Wars
- Call of Duty 2
- Tibia (video game)
- In addition to major games, there are many Windows "casual games" that run well on Crossover
Misc
Software Giveaway
On October 28, 2008 as the result of the Lame Duck Challenge, Codeweavers gave all of their products away free. Codeweavers' main page was temporarily replaced due to the day's unusually high traffic.[6] According to a CodeWeavers blog entry at least 750,000 product registrations had been given away during October 28.[7]
On October 31, 2012, CodeWeavers will have a second software giveaway, this one entitled "Flock the Vote."[8] CodeWeavers promised to have such a giveaway if 100,000 American voters would promise to vote on election day, in a nonpartisan bid to encourage activism. 100,000 people have pledged, so CodeWeavers will allow any person in the world to download and register a copy of CrossOver Linux or CrossOver Mac; the offer includes a year of support.
See also
References
- ^ "CodeWeavers Expands Developer Services, Enabling Future Windows Application Porting To Mac OS" (Press release). SAINT PAUL, MN: CodeWeavers. June 22, 2005. Retrieved 2009-01-03.
- ^ "CodeWeavers Releases CrossOver 6 for Mac and Linux". Slashdot. January 10, 2007. Retrieved 2009-01-03.
- ^ "CrossOver - Change Log - CodeWeavers". Retrieved 2012-03-09.
- ^ White, Jeremy (2008-03-10). "Roadmap for 2008". Blogs. CodeWeavers. Retrieved 2009-01-03.
- ^ ""CrossOver Games" is coming!!! - Repost". Retrieved 2009-01-03.[unreliable source?]
- ^ Vaughan-Nichols, Steven J. (October 28, 2008). "Free (as in beer) CodeWeavers CrossOver Linux and Mac". Computerworld Blogs. Retrieved 2009-01-03.
- ^ 2008.10.28 We Came! We Saw! We Burned to the Waterline!
- ^ Kruchowski, Anna. "CodeWeavers software free for download for 24 hours on October 31, 2012". CodeWeavers blog. Retrieved 29 October 2012.