Search engine provider Google has revealed it has hired CodeWeavers to make improvements to the Wine project that will allow Adobe Photoshop CS and CS2 to function better on the Linux desktop.CodeWeavers aims to transform Linux into a Windows-compatible operating system and promote the growth of free software by supporting the Wine project, among other things.
Wine is described by the firm as a "compatibility layer" that runs for Windows programs. It does not require Windows as it consists of 100 per cent non-Microsoft code.
The software package aims to replicate Windows libraries to enable some of the most popular Windows applications to run in a Linux environment.
Commenting on Google's sponsoring of Wine improvements to Photoshop, one internet user wrote on the Open Source at Google blog: "Thanks to the Google guys for this great effort! I believe that getting adequate support for commercial applications is necessary for [the] success of Linux on the desktop."
Meanwhile, another added: "Photoshop is probably the only piece of software stopping me swapping now and I imagine that's quite a common reason."
According to Angus Kidman at APC Mag, while Google's strengthening of Linux "doesn't necessarily have to undermine Windows", this does remain "a potent side effect".
Linux is a free software and open source development predominantly known for its use in servers and supported by a number of companies, including IBM and Sun Microsystems.
