No matter how things end up shaking out for Microsoft vs. the Department of Justice, Windows will, for the foreseeable future, maintain its hammerlock on desktop computers and the software they run—such as Web browser plug-ins.
However, CodeWeavers CrossOver Plugin 1.1 offers a partial solution for Linux users locked out of Windows plug-in access. CrossOver Plugin, which began shipping at the end of February, is based on Wine (Wine Is Not an Emulator), the recursively acronymed open-source Windows API implementation that enables Linux users to run many applications developed for Windows.
CrossOver Plugin steps users through the download, installation and configuration of a number of plug-ins, such as QuickTime, Shockwave Director and Windows Media Player 6.4, for use with Netscape, Mozilla and Konqueror browsers.
In my tests, CrossOver Plugin didnt always work perfectly—I had a few problems with QuickTime, for example. However, I found CrossOver Plugin well worth the $24.95 asking price for the expanded interoperability it offers.
Your results will likely vary, so cruise over to www.codeweavers.com to download a free demo version.
