Application Database FAQ
This FAQ answers questions related to the usage of the Application Database.
- 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.
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)
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: Any registered user can submit an application. Use the Submit App link in the AppDB sidebar to add an entry; it will be processed by an admin before becoming visible to all users. You can make changes to your queued entries by visiting the Your Queued Items page.
Q: How can I submit screenshots?
A: We love to hear from our users. Send those helpful screenshots by clicking on any screenshot image you will see in the specific version page of the application you want to add a screenshot for. If you are not a maintainer, your screenshot will be reviewed and will then be added to the database.
Q: How can I submit how-to's?
A:If you are not a maintainer, you can't create new official How-to's. So the best way to proceed is to post your How-to as a comment in the specific version page of the application of interest. A maintainer might then choose to add your How-to as an official How-to for this database entry.
Q: How do I become an Application Database maintainer?
A: Pretty much anyone supporting Wine is welcome (begged?) to be an application maintainer. Simply click on the button you will find in the application overview or specific version page to send your request. An administrator will then review your proposal and add you to the maintainer's team for this application or version. Once we have a community of maintainers, we hope that community will further refine the policies and procedures.
Q: What is the difference between a super maintainer and a maintainer?
A: A super maintainer maintains an application and all its versions. A maintainer maintains only one specific version of an application.
Q: What is meant by the term ‘vendor’?
A: The vendor is the developer of an application.