This FAQ answers questions related to the usage of the Application Database.
Q: What is the Application Database?
A: The Application Database is a repository for Windows application compatibility information with Wine. In particular it provides the following information:
(see the Visual FoxPro entry for an example)
- Whether a given application works at all with Wine.
- If it is partially working, then which areas of the application have problems.
- How to install and get that application working best.
And if the Windows application you want most to use with Wine does not work, it lets you vote for it to bring it to the attention of Wine developers.
Q: What is Wine?
A:Think of Wine as a Windows compatibility layer. Wine does not require Microsoft Windows, as it is a completely alternative implementation consisting of 100% Microsoft-free code, but it can optionally use native system DLLs if they are available. Wine provides both a development toolkit (Winelib) for porting Windows sources to Unix and a program loader, allowing many unmodified Windows binaries to run on x86-based Unixes, including Linux, FreeBSD, and Solaris.
More information can be found at the Wine FAQ.
Q: What are the benefits of this Application Database?
A: The Application database benefits both Wine developers and users. It lets Wine developers know which applications the community most wants to see working. And it lets Wine user know beforehand if their application will work in Wine, and also what are the tricks to get it working best.
Q: How does a new application get added to the database?
A: In order to ensure consistency, only authorized application database maintainers are permitted to add new applications to the database. Anyone can comment on, or rate a particular application.
Anyone can request that an application be added to the database, but the application is not actually added until after it has been reviewed and categorized by a maintainer.
Q: How can I submit HowTo's and Screenshots?
A: We love to hear from our users. Send those helpful HowTos and Screenshots right on over to appdb@winehq.org. We'll be happy to post them, and give you proper credit for your great contribution.
Q: How do I become an authorized application database maintainer.
A: Pretty much anyone with an established reputation supporting Wine is welcome (begged?) to be an application maintainer. Simply send email to appdb@winehq.org to apply. Once we have a community of maintainers, we hope that community will further refine the policies and procedures.