CrossOver (software)
 | |
| Developer(s) | CodeWeavers |
|---|---|
| Stable release | 14.0.0 / 16 October 2014[1] |
| Operating system | Linux, Mac OS X |
| Type | Compatibility layer |
| License | Proprietary, GPL, and LGPL |
| Website |
www |
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. Release of code modifications are obligatory under Wine's software license, the LGPL.
Versions
The current stable release for CrossOver is 14.0.0 which was released on October 16, 2014.
CrossOver Mac
In June 2005, CodeWeavers announced a Mac OS X version of CrossOver Office called CrossOver Mac that will support Windows-to-Mac application porting on Intel-based Macs.[2] Crossover Mac was released on January 10, 2007.[3] 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 of CrossOver Mac 11, it includes the functionality of CrossOver Pro. Customers can 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 the functionality of CrossOver Pro. Customers can 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.[4]
CrossOver Games, announced on 10 March 2008,[5] was a 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.[6]
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
- Microsoft Office 2010, 2007, 2003, XP.
- 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
- System Shock 2 (Linux port)
- 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 for free. Codeweavers' main page was temporarily replaced due to the day's unusually high traffic.[7] According to CodeWeavers least 750,000 product registrations were given away during October 28.[8]
On October 31, 2012, CodeWeavers had a second software giveaway, this one entitled "Flock the Vote."[9] 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
- Wine (software)
- Darwine
- TransGaming Technologies
- Cedega
References
- ↑ "Change Log For CrossOver". CodeWeavers. Retrieved 2013-12-19.
- ↑ "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.
- ↑ 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! Archived October 30, 2008 at the Wayback Machine
- ↑ Kruchowski, Anna. "CodeWeavers software free for download for 24 hours on October 31, 2012". CodeWeavers blog. Retrieved 29 October 2012.