CodeWeavers Inc. will announce and demonstrate CrossOver Plugin, claimed to be “the first Windows-to-Linux adapter for Windows browser plugins and email viewers,” this week at LinuxWorld Expo in San Francisco. According to CodeWeavers CEO Jeremy White, the new product enables access to popular Windows files and browser plug-ins from within Linux, and is well suited for use in both desktop and… embedded Linux environments.

CrossOver Plugin operates in conjunction with Wine, the well-known open source Windows API (Application Programming Interface) for Linux, a project which is maintained by CodeWeavers. Using proprietary extensions developed by CodeWeavers, CrossOver Plugin interfaces between a Windows plugin (or mini-application) and Wine, in order to allow the application to run transparently from within Linux.

CrossOver Plugin currently supports several popular Linux Web browsers, including Netscape and Mozilla, plus email clients such as Netscape Messenger, GNOME Evolution, and KDE Kmail. In addition supporting Apple QuickTime and Macromedia Shockwave Director, the adapter also permits the use of Microsoft's freely downloadable Word, Excel, and PowerPoint viewers, as well as the eFax email-fax viewer. Support for additional Windows plugins and file viewers will be added on an ongoing basis.

CrossOver Plugin is immediately available for download from the CodeWeavers' website, at a price of $19.95. A CD version, priced at $29.95, will be available for mail-order purchase in early September; however, CDs are now available to LinuxWorld attendees at the CodeWeavers booth. CodeWeavers is also offering an SDK for CrossOver Plugin, as well as licensing agreements that authorize use of the software in embedded applications.

 
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