Even Linux users sometimes have to run Windows applications. Doing that can be difficult. CrossOver Linux promises to make that easier. How well does it do the job? Read on to find out ...
Overview
While Linux has a wide range of powerful and useful software, there may come a time when you need to run a particular Windows application for which there's no Linux version. There are a number of ways around this. You can dual boot, use virtualization software, or give some software called Wine a try.
Or, you can check out CrossOver Linux. CodeWeavers, the developer of the software, says that CrossOver Linux can run a number of Windows applications, and can seamlessly integrate with desktop environments like KDE and GNOME. It does that, and more.
Crossing over
CrossOver Linux is a commercial application that's based on Wine. Wine is an Open Source tool that provides a layer between a Windows application and Linux which tricks the application into believing that it's running on its native operating system.
Unlike Wine, CrossOver Linux has:
- An easy to use graphical interface
- Better support for Windows applications
- A price tag -- $39.95 for the standard version, and $69.95 for the professional version
In true Open Source spirit, CodeWeavers turns its code over to the Wine Project.
| Ease of installation | Rating  |
You can download a 30-day trial of CrossOver Linux. There are installers for various flavors of Linux. I usually get the Loki installer, which essentially wraps the installation program in a shell script.
Once you've downloaded the software, just run the installer. A graphical wizard guides you through the installation. It's quick and it's easy. The installer also adds a new item to your applications menu -- for example, Applications > CrossOver in GNOME.
| Adding Windows applications | Rating |
Again, this is very simple. A wizard guides you through the process. Just select Applications > CrossOver > Install Windows Software. You can select from a list of Windows software that's know to work seamlessly with CrossOver (more on this in a moment). Or, you can install what CrossOver deems unsupported software from a CD, a USB drive, or your hard drive.
The one part of the installation that might cause you problems is the bottles. Bottles are self-contained Windows environments into which you install software. Bottles are individual entities, and don't interact with each other. You can choose the following bottles:
- win2000 (Windows 2000)
- winxp (Windows XP)
- winvista (Windows Vista)
- win98 (Windows 98)
While it's recommended that you try a win98 bottle first, then win2000 and winxp I've found going the other way works better.
CrossOver runs the installation program for the Windows application. If the installation is successful, it's added under a new menu called Windows Applications.