WINE Code Freeze en Route to Version 1.0
In preparation for the first stable version, the WINE project has now frozen the current state of development ("Code Freeze").
As of now, developers will be focusing on fixing bugs. The first WINE Release Candidate is scheduled for May 9, with a second RC to follow May 23.The release date for the first, stable version 1.0 has not been decided on yet, but the developers are aiming for June.
Right now, the bug database still has 38 open, known bugs which need to be fixed by the release candidates. The WINE developers have already hinted that some issues may live on into successive versions.
WINE gives users the ability to run Windows programs on Linux. In contrast to emulators, it provides the functionality of the Windows API; that is it acts as a runtime environment between the application and the operating system. This not only means that programs run faster, windows in Windows applications are peers with their native Linux counterparts. As this is extremely complex and due to the fact that Microsoft is not prepared to help, WINE has taken almost 15 years to approach the first stable version.
The release criterion defined by the developers was trouble-free support for four critical applications: Photoshop CS2 ("Tryout Version"), Microsoft Powerpoint Viewer, Word Viewer and Excel Viewer versions 97 and 2003. The stable version will not be released until all four work correctly. Despite all this, the application database on the WINE homepage already lists over 1000 supported programs, most of them legacy tools, whereas current heavyweights, such as Photoshop CS3, are not covered.
Subscribe to our Linux Newsletters
Find Linux and Open Source Jobs
Subscribe to our ADMIN Newsletters
Support Our Work
Linux Magazine content is made possible with support from readers like you. Please consider contributing when you’ve found an article to be beneficial.
News
-
Photoshop on Linux?
A developer has patched Wine so that it'll run specific versions of Photoshop that depend on Adobe Creative Cloud.
-
Linux Mint 22.3 Now Available with New Tools
Linux Mint 22.3 has been released with a pair of new tools for system admins and some pretty cool new features.
-
New Linux Malware Targets Cloud-Based Linux Installations
VoidLink, a new Linux malware, should be of real concern because of its stealth and customization.
-
Say Goodbye to Middle-Mouse Paste
Both Gnome and Firefox have proposed getting rid of a long-time favorite Linux feature.
-
Manjaro 26.0 Primary Desktop Environments Default to Wayland
If you want to stick with X.Org, you'll be limited to the desktop environments you can choose.
-
Mozilla Plans to AI-ify Firefox
With a new CEO in control, Mozilla is doubling down on a strategy of trust, all the while leaning into AI.
-
Gnome Says No to AI-Generated Extensions
If you're a developer wanting to create a new Gnome extension, you'd best set aside that AI code generator, because the extension team will have none of that.
-
Parrot OS Switches to KDE Plasma Desktop
Yet another distro is making the move to the KDE Plasma desktop.
-
TUXEDO Announces Gemini 17
TUXEDO Computers has released the fourth generation of its Gemini laptop with plenty of updates.
-
Two New Distros Adopt Enlightenment
MX Moksha and AV Linux 25 join ranks with Bodhi Linux and embrace the Enlightenment desktop.