CrossOver is a Microsoft Windows compatibility layer available for Linux distributions and for Mac OS X. This compatibility layer enables many Microsoft Windows-based applications to run in Linux or Mac OS X operating systems. The Linux version is called CrossOver Linux, and the Mac version is called CrossOver Mac. CrossOver Server, a version available for Solaris and Linux operating systems, was discontinued in 2007.
CrossOver is developed by CodeWeavers, based on Wine, an open-source Windows compatibility layer. CodeWeavers modifies the Wine source code, applies compatibility patches, adds configuration tools that are more user-friendly, and provides technical support. CodeWeavers employs several Wine software developers, and contributes source code to Wine. Such contributions are obligatory under Wine's software license, the LGPL.
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.
Prior to version 6, CrossOver Linux was called CrossOver Office.
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 separate 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]
CodeWeavers discontinued CrossOver Server in 2007, as many of the product's features were already 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
Games
Misc
Software Giveaway
On October 28, 2008 as the result of the Lame Duck Challenge, Codeweavers gave all of their products away for 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 had 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. More than 100,000 people pledged, so CodeWeavers had allowed any person in the world to download and register a copy of CrossOver Linux or CrossOver Mac; the offer included one year of support.
See also
References
External links
