wine (computer operating system)

[Annpan]

Anyone heard about this? and if it is any good.

I am looking at running it on my Mac Instead of windows (which comes with a fancy thingy called 'bootcamp' that will split the hard drive and run both leopard and windows) I am more than happy to press buttons and see what happens but OH has this horrid habit of being very cautious ... grrrr....

I know that there are better forums dedicated to this stuff but
1. I am not a techy wizard
2. I trust you guys here, and I know you will help me.
3. I wouldn't want to look like eejit of the century on a mac user forum

My brain is sore...

[Odsox]

Um, why don't you just run a copy of Windows instead Ann ?

I have used Wine, but it was a few years ago now, and my version was running in Linux.
All it does is make what ever OS you are using "look like" Windows so that you can run Windows software.
But from what you said, it sounds like you have 2 partitions on your hard drive and almost certainly a boot loader.
If that is the case you can run either Mac or Windows and choose which you want when you start the computer.
Wouldn't that be easier ?

[Annpan]

I don't have a free copy of windows though - We only have one copy and it is still being used on the OHs laptop.

I just want something so I can play my old (circa 1998) windows games

TBH I really don't understand all this gubbins

[wulf]

WINE isn't exactly an operating system but it does allow you to run (many) Windows applications on other platforms (see the Mac page on their website). For old games, it should do the job.

Wulf

[Annpan]

Thanks wulf

I have now been informed that if you aren't tech savvy you shouldn't use wine... but instead you should buy crossover... and now I am thinking that if I have to buy something anyway - which has no guarantee of being able to run my games anyway as all these things apparently have flaws - So I might as well get an old unused copy of windows (I only need 95 or 98)

If anyone knows any different then please tell...


ETA Ok, I have read up a little and it doesn't look too difficult http://www.kronenberg.org/darwine/ seem to be the place to download it from. (darwine being wine specifically for Mac OS X)

My head hurts...

Can anyone advise? (not on the sore head...lol)

[Annpan]

Right.... I am going to go for it.... what is the worst that can happen?


I am assuming I won't break my computer.... but if you don't see me for a while send out a search party

[Odsox]

So I might as well get an old unused copy of windows (I only need 95 or 98)

Strictly speaking you don't need an "unused" copy of Windows.
Win 95 & 98 only need the product key and don't register on-line with MS like XP & Vista.
PM me if you want to go down this route.

[Annpan]

OK.... sooooo

I did try darwine and it happily installed 2 games but I can't find a shortcut to open them though - I am supposed to use the 'start menu' but on a mac you obviously don't have one of them.

So I am back to my windows plan... odsox I have PMd you