PlayOnLinux
PlayOnLinux (POL) is a tool to help Linux users run games and programs for Windows on Linux, via the use of (as a front-end for) Wine.
The web site is currently available in four languages :
In English: http://www.playonlinux.com/en/
In French: http://www.playonlinux.com/fr/
In Spanish: http://www.playonlinux.com/es
In Polish: http://www.playonlinux.com/pl/
The installations usually supports English and French, but there are numerous of scripts for other languages also.
Prefixes does matter!
How does a prefix matter?
When you install applications with Wine all your file are saved in the same prefix.
This maybe isn't a problem, until you realize a file in one program is messing up another program. PlayOnLinux uses different prefixes for all applications, so you can have specified configurations, settings and filetrees for each program.
Manage Wine Version
Are you having a hard time deciding which Wine-version you should use to get the most out of every application? Is your favorite program rated "Garbage" with the newest Wine-version, although it was "Platinum" on the last one? With PlayOnLinux you can't just keep your settings separated, you can also assign one version of Wine for each software!
Easy Install
You can install your game or software in few step for any of the applications in our repository. The installations are meant to be very simple with as few difficult choices and interactions for the user as possible, often the installation downloads all the files needed without having to trouble the user at all. The easier the better!
But what if it doesn't exist an installer for your program yet? Well, you can actually install the game through PlayOnLinux as you would have done on Wine and still get the advantages with prefixes and use a particular Wine-version just for your program!
Plugin
What is a PlayOnLinux plugin?
A plugin is a miniature-program which adds new functions to PlayOnLinux. The plugin-system allows you to configure PlayOnLinux for your own needs! If you are a gamer and would like to record your gaming (like Fraps), use "Capture" (by GNU_Raziel). If you already have installed your game in Cedega and would like to import it into PlayOnLinux there is "TransgamingCedega" (by Tinou). For a look at the current uploaded plugins, take a look at http://www.playonlinux.com/en/download.html#plugins.
Installation
You may already have PlayOnLinux in your repository, otherwise there is most likely already a package for your distro, just take a look at the download page and you'll probably find it. And if there are no packages for your distro, you can always use the Generic release; nothing to compile, just to run PlayOnLinux! (Make sure you got the dependencies though!)
Support
If you have any problems or experiencing any bugs, please tell us on PlayOnLinux's forum or IRC-channel.
Development
Writing install-scripts
Writing the scripts is not very difficult. The script is written in shellscript, using a lot of functions given from PlayOnLinux. When you use shellscript you also have the advantage of using well-known functions you use yourself at your own terminal! And since all installations are inspected of well-trusted admins there is no chance of any malicious scripts in our database.
Plugins
Since PlayOnLinux has a good plugin system you have the chance to easily improve PlayOnLinux where you think its lacking features!
Documentation and helping user
Don't you know how to script and doesn't feel like learning? Well, if you want to help there is things you can do. The forum can always have use for someone helping people with troubles, or coming with good ideas for the PlayOnLinux program. Welcome to our webpage! http://www.playonlinux.org



