Microsoft Office for *nix

Hamish Taylor
Tuesday, 28 October 2008 10:33

Opinion and Analysis

In a continuing series of articles highlighting that GNU/Linux is a viable replacement operating system, today we're exploring CrossoverOffice (or installing Windows applications on Linux systems).

CodeWeavers is a US based commercial company which sells software which enables users of Mac OSX and Linux to run Microsoft and other third-party Windows compatible applications.

Just think about that for a second or two! This enables you to run quite a lot of popular Windows applications on your Mac or Linux PC.

During October 28th 2008 (US time) they are giving away their software for Nix, nada, nothing, gratis, free! How did that happen?

According to a Press Release, it began as a political stunt in that the company challenged the US President to do something amazing in his last few weeks in power.

Jeremy White, president and CEO of CodeWeavers had this to say, "The goals focused on President Bush making specific positive accomplishments in areas such as the economy, home values, the stock market, the war on terror and other key issues. Specifically, one goal called for President Bush to help down bring average gasoline prices in the Twin Cities to $2.79 a gallon. On Monday, Oct. 14, gas prices in Minneapolis and St. Paul did just that." Unfortunately it was for all the wrong reasons.

However, the company stuck to it's word and is, for 24 hours, allowing free registration and downloading of it's software.

But what does this mean for you, as a Mac or Linux user? On the next page I describe my experiences installing and briefly testing it.