News, info, and opinion by Mac users, for Mac users.

December 3, 2007

windows

Conspiracy theorists, start your typewriters

Posted Dec. 3, ’07, 5:24 AM PT by Derik DeLong
Category | Windows

WineHQ Many Windows executables use a format called PE (Portable Executable). It’s used by many things, and ever understood by the EFI bootloader Intel Macs use. It appears that under Leopard, executables in this format are correctly understood. In its current incarnation, this behavior isn’t particularly useful.

It can’t be used to load Windows executables. Before we all start jumping on the “Apple iz makin virturlzashion softwhere” bandwagon, there are other possible reasons for its inclusion, like working on the software loaded by the EFI bootloader. If you’re the “optimistic” type, you could forsee a future where select Windows executables work in OS X.

Personally, I think it would be a foolish business decision to get into that game. One, it de-incentivizes companies from developing Mac native software. Two, there are already two well established products in the marketplace, clawing each others eyes out to get business. Three, it helps open the door (even a smidge) for more security vulnerabilities. But, if you’re cheap and don’t like competition, it could be a good thing. I guess.


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