Desktop platforms Toolkit

Lycoris 1.4 integrates Windows apps support

Published: 20 Aug 2004 10:20 BST

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.