Lycoris 1.4 integrates Windows apps support

Daily Newsletters

Sign up to ZDNet UK's daily newsletter.

NEWS
Running Windows applications on a Linux desktop has become a little easier with the release of PowerPak 1.4 by Linux vendor Lycoris. Following a deal with software developer CodeWeavers in June, Window-to-Linux software has been integrated with Lycoris' Linux desktop.

Jon Parshall, chief operating officer at CodeWeavers, said on Thursday that the integrated software will make migration to Linux easier for Windows users and will save on licensing costs.

"Our system does not require a fully licensed copy of the Windows operating system, unlike other emulation solutions," said Parshall. "The system works by spoofing Microsoft applications so they think they are on a Windows PC."

He said the system makes the transition to Linux for home users or small businesses easier as they can continue using Word or Excel. Parshall claims that Windows applications can be run at native speed because the CodeWeaver application is integrated into the Lycoris file system.

James Governer, a software analyst at Red Monk, said he thinks that packaging Lycoris with CodeWeaver is a big step forward, but that the release is less likely to appeal to Linux fans as it is less flexible than other Linux distributions.

"Most distros throw in everything including the kitchen sink when it comes to media handling, productivity tools and so on. SuSE, for example, packages pretty much every piece of relevant open-source code available. This is not an offering for Linux fans," he said.

Lycoris PowerPak 1.4 is priced at $75 (£40.95) and is available online from the company's Web site.

Talkback

Hi
Installing John Deere Office into my desktop PC (win 98se) the licence terms state that the jdoffice software shall only be run on a Microsoft platform. ----- How will that be possible in an interoperability layer like Wine.
John Deere Office is an important part of Greenstar farming system.
The license it self appears to be very restricive in attempting to control where it is run.
Is that legal in most countries?
Has anyone even read the licence terms before agreeing to them?

How far would Shell Oil co get it it would only let us use their fuel in a Ford?

via Facebook 20 August, 2004 13:00
Reply

Have you talked to John Deere Office about what that means exactly? ... "shall only be run on" can mean "can" (i.e., it is only able to be run on) as well as the more restrictive meaning you are asking about.

It may be that they are concerned that you don't try to decompile the program in order to get it to work on a different platform. Another possibility is that they offer some kind of technical support and those support folks are only familiar with Windows systems. So if you use it on another platform and have troubles getting it to work, they won't guarantee they can help you.

However, rather than conjecture, it would be a good idea to find out exactly what it is they mean by that by asking them.

There is a legal issue concerning the fact that most proprietary software won't let you read the terms of the license until it is too late to refuse them (i.e., you must open the shrink wrap first). It is unfortunate, therefore, that a lot of people don't bother to read the terms under which they're supposed to use a product.

With regard to Linux, Lycoris is an excellent distribution for the rank newbie, but if you're already comfortable with computers, you may find it too restrictive in terms of what you can do.

Distributions like SuSE and Mandrake combine lots of user-friendly tools for folks new to Linux with the full flexibility and ease of use that comes with time and experience in using Linux. So you get a lot of hand-holding while you're still inexperienced with the full ability to use Linux as an expert when you finally become one.

This is just to let you know that there are differences in how Linux distributions are set up. You are in the best position to know what it is you're looking for and what it is you need from your operating system.

The CodeWeavers product is sold separately and can be installed on any Linux system. It is an excellent product and they provide technical support with it.

via Facebook 20 August, 2004 21:50
Reply

Post your comment

In order to post a comment you need to be registered and logged in.

You can also log in with Facebook. Log in or create your ZDNet UK account below

  • Login

Will not be displayed with your comment

By signing up for this service, you indicate that you agree to our Terms and Conditions and have read and understood our Privacy Policy. Questions about membership? Find the answers in the Community FAQ

Get ZDNet UK's daily newsletter

Enter your email address to sign up

ZDNet UK Live

Moley

@kevinmchapman. The discussion here reflects the very significant number of users who really do like the traditional menu system and who wish to...

11 minutes ago by Moley on A tale of two distros: Ubuntu and Linux Mint
kevinmchapman

Er, no... It is an efficient means of finding the application/file/setting you need in one place. The icons are a simply a fallback for when you...

2 hours ago by kevinmchapman on A tale of two distros: Ubuntu and Linux Mint
TerryRK

Isn't the provision of a text based search an admission by the developers that the mass of icons approach does not work? I don't need to use a...

3 hours ago by TerryRK on A tale of two distros: Ubuntu and Linux Mint
kevinmchapman

"Unity and GNOME 3 both abandon the old text-based cascading menus in favour of a graphical icon-driven system." Point truly missed. Both use a...

4 hours ago by kevinmchapman on A tale of two distros: Ubuntu and Linux Mint
TerryRK

whs001 - Thank you, I'm glad you liked the article. I absolutely agree with you on your first point. I should perhaps have made it clearer that...

4 hours ago by TerryRK on A tale of two distros: Ubuntu and Linux Mint
Dennis Nilsson

If we allow corporate interest to dictate the way our government circumvents due process against foreign entities then we should accept the same...

5 hours ago by Dennis Nilsson via Facebook on ACTA stumbles in Germany
GHar123

I totally dislike pirating of works, I fear that artists will be deterred from creating works if they think that they are going to get ripped off....

6 hours ago by GHar123 on ACTA stumbles in Germany
JCB33

How dare film makers, artists or anybody that invests in creativity stop us pirating their works for free. I want to be able to walk into my local...

12 hours ago by JCB33 on ACTA stumbles in Germany
Moley

@GrueMaster. I prefer horses for courses rather than one size fits all. I, and I suspect most other computer users, do not really wish to have...

14 hours ago by Moley on A tale of two distros: Ubuntu and Linux Mint
greycynic

The product that scares me every time I have to use it is the Office 2007 version of Excel. The first bug that I found was applying the median...

14 hours ago by greycynic on Ten flawed products that derail productivity
GrueMaster

Nice review and very informative. One thing I'd like to add (in reply to whs001's 1st question), the main reason to have the same interface from...

16 hours ago by GrueMaster on A tale of two distros: Ubuntu and Linux Mint
Frederick Wrigley

I'be been using Mint 12 since the RC came out, and I am far more happy with the Cinnamon, the Mate, and, yes (with extensions), theGnome 3...

17 hours ago by Frederick Wrigley via Facebook on A tale of two distros: Ubuntu and Linux Mint
bdantas

Excellent article. One small correction, though--although a fresh installation of Linux Mint 12 will, indeed, provide the user with a version of...

17 hours ago by bdantas on A tale of two distros: Ubuntu and Linux Mint
Alan Ralph

In related news, the ISPs club together to get the members of the Home Affairs Select Committee (ya goofed on that part, ZDNet UK) copies of "The...

18 hours ago by Alan Ralph via Facebook on MPs urge ISPs to take down terrorist material
Alan Ralph

In related news, the ISPs club together to get the members of the Home Affairs Select Committee (ya goofed on that part, ZDNet UK) copies of "The...

18 hours ago by Alan Ralph via Facebook on MPs urge ISPs to take down terrorist material
Moley

For Gnome 2 die-hards, it is possible to add icons to the bottom panel (or top top panel, if you prefer) which provide the exact Gnome 2...

19 hours ago by Moley on A tale of two distros: Ubuntu and Linux Mint
ramwellian

Your comments would seem pretty naive and immature. Your 'solution' appears to be, "gee, let's all just give in to the hackers and give them...

19 hours ago by ramwellian on Cloud computing security: no more oxymoron?
BugStalker

"Interesting thought ... If you installed Win7 as a dual boot on a machine that previously only had Linux, and it wrecked your Linux installation,...

19 hours ago by BugStalker on Windows 7 Declares War on GRUB
whs001

This is an excellent summary of Ubuntu and Mint and the interface differences between them. Most such articles take a very partisan position for...

19 hours ago by whs001 on A tale of two distros: Ubuntu and Linux Mint
Moley

@ewallace. Not so clear. Anyone can obtain the text, for example from here http://www.ustr.gov/webfm_send/2379. I support ACTA so long as it and...

19 hours ago by Moley on ACTA: Facts, misconceptions and questions

Latest in Application Development