Wine Improves 3D and MAPI Support

Sep 29, 2009

This past weekend the Wine project released a new version of its Windows emulator. Apart from the numerous obligatory bug fixes, the release includes improvements to the Direct3D 10 API and an initial support for the Open Audio Library (OpenAL).

With help from Wine software, most Windows applications can also run under Linux. Unlike virtualization solutions such as VirtualBox, Wine translates the system and library calls to their Linux counterparts. This allows Windows applications not only to run in a Linux environment, but to do so somewhat faster.

Alexandre Julliard has now released version 1.1.30 of Wine. The major new features include:

  • Support for OpenAL libraries for surround sound
  • Enhanced Direct3D 10 API, which runs games as a counterpart to Microsoft's OpenGL
  • Improved HTML, JavaScript and MAPI support
  • Improved common controls

Many minor bugs were also fixed, especially those related to games. The .NET Framework 1.1 now installs flawlessly, the Bioshock game no longer crashes when loading the second level and the Steam client displays correct colors. Erratic behavior in the Myst 4, Prince of Persia and Flatout 2 games was also fixed, as well as a font problem in some games. Irregularities in Corel Painter X, Visual C++ and GNU Emacs were also eliminated. Finally, path problems in the Save dialog were fixed and Internet Explorer 7 startups no longer return 

Cannot find '%ws'

errors.

The release notes include the full list of bug fixes and enhancements. A database of all compatible Windows programs and installation hints are on the project homepage.

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