Filed under: Software, Universal Binary, Deals
Codeweavers says cheap gas = free software today
Update 10/28: Welcome, Digg fans. CodeWeavers' site is getting crunched under the massive demand for the free versions of CrossOver, so there is now a minimal site at down.codeweavers.com that will accept your email address; you will be mailed your registration code in the next couple of days.
--- original post below ---
Three months ago, CodeWeavers CEO Jeremy White offered a challenge to another CEO -- the nation's chief executive, George W. Bush. If the president achieved one of White's six "Lame Duck" goals during the twilight of his 2nd term, White would make Windows-API enabler & WINE GUI CrossOver free to customers for one day. Some considered White's proposal a great motivational tool for GWB; others found it smug, partisan and kind of a goofy way to promote the company's products, but in any event none of his six challenges seemed to be on the path to achievement, so that's where the story should have ended. CrossOver is a fine way to run Windows apps on your Mac, but as a force for political change, not so much.
Then a funny thing happened on the way to January 20th: due to global economic conditions and through no fault of the president, the price of crude oil dropped precipitously and the cost of gasoline moved in parallel... bringing the average price per gallon in Minneapolis down to the target $2.79 level called for in White's goal #1. Can anyone say "Taco?"
The Star-Tribune is reporting that White is planning to follow through on his pledge: on Tuesday 10/28, all CodeWeavers products (CrossOver Mac, Linux & Games) will be freely downloadable. One license per customer, and we assume that the free licenses will be for the standard versions of the apps. Update: Word from CodeWeavers execs is that the free license will be for a download-only flavor of the Pro version (!), including the Games optimized build and the option to share a Windows 'bottle' among multiple users on the same machine. You will have to choose either the Mac or Linux product for your free copy (and I'm looking forward to the stats on that split once the dust settles). Pro licenses are eligible for support/update renewals after one year for $35.
You might argue with White's politics or his promotional instincts, but you can't argue with free software. CrossOver Mac normally retails for $40 and requires an Intel machine running either Tiger or Leopard.
Update 2: A number of commenters have pointed out that the original challenge rules said the giveaway day would be on the first of the month following the goal, meaning Nov. 1 instead of Oct. 28. CodeWeavers' press release confirms that the giveaway day will be 10/28 and not 11/1. The giveaway runs from midnight to midnight CST.
Thanks Austin!
![TUAW [Cafepress]](http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.tuaw.com/media/tuaw-cafepress-promo.png)
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 4)
Julian Weisser said 10:40AM on 10-27-2008
This is great! I really wanted it so I am happy!
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Matt Sayler said 10:48AM on 10-27-2008
I, for one, welcome our bargain basement lame-duck overlords!
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caleb said 10:53AM on 10-27-2008
Yay financial system collapse!
This is definitely one of those products that I've always wanted, but never felt was worth paying for. I'll certainly pick it up tomorrow if I remember.
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spyker said 4:23PM on 10-27-2008
I agree, especially since I usually just use boot camp or Parallels.
snowy2004 said 10:54AM on 10-27-2008
And to think I'd live to see the day when I'd say this:
Thank you George W. Bush!
I loved playing around with the CrossOver trial but never wanted to commit to buying it because of its iffy support for Windows Software. But now I'll finally able to play the excellent Steam game Audio-Surf without the need to reboot.
And if CrossOver works out for me and the next version has some decent new features, I might look into buying it.
Oh and thanks Mr. White too!
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Aron T said 10:54AM on 10-27-2008
This is actually a great way to promote their software. The more people that have the product and can testify to its quality the more people are likely to recommend that to a friend/family member.
I would not be surprised if the free licenses given out tomorrow are more than paid for by increased holiday sales.
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Joe RIckerby said 10:55AM on 10-27-2008
what's the bet the server falls over on the day??
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Evan said 11:00AM on 10-27-2008
Just a note, the CodeWeavers Lame Duck page says that if the goal is met by the 28th of any given month, the giveaway happens the first of the following month. So giveaway day isn't tomorrow, but November 1. Just sayin'.
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dandaman said 11:08AM on 10-27-2008
According to there press release, it's tomorrow
http://www.codeweavers.com/about/general/press/20081027/
dandaman said 11:09AM on 10-27-2008
*their press release... my bad...
zenhermit said 5:06PM on 10-27-2008
Probably due to the fact Nov 1 is a Saturday (and who wants to deal with a crap-hammered system on the weekend?), and the next two business days are the US elections (the whole reason GW is officially a lame duck) that they decided to do it this Tuesday.
Just guessin'...
Tom said 11:01AM on 10-27-2008
I don't get it, the lame duck site says the first day of the following month, of which Oct 28th is not.
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Kyle said 11:05AM on 10-27-2008
Please report this story again tomorrow - I'm afraid I'll forget :)
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Kyle said 11:07AM on 10-27-2008
... or whenever the giveaway actually takes place, as it seems that it may be Nov 1 instead.
Mitch Aunger said 11:39AM on 10-27-2008
umm... ever hear of setting up your own ical alerts? millions of ways to accomplish this ;)
dandaman said 11:16AM on 10-27-2008
So does this mean I get CrossOver Mac OR CrossOver Games OR CrossOver Linux or CrossOver Mac + Games + Linux (or Mac + Games, or Mac + Linux)?It would be sweet if I could get both the games and the full mac version, but out of the two I might have to choose games
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dandaman said 4:48PM on 10-27-2008
Read it in the first update - I get a copy of CrossOver Mac Pro and CrossOver Mac Games. That means I'm walking away with $100 of free software. And, depending on how much I use it, I think I will be more than willing to pay for updates, especially on the games.
sam said 4:14AM on 10-28-2008
Well that all depends ... how many email addresses do you have?
Philster said 11:16AM on 10-27-2008
I'm giving out free back and neck massages if Bushie can get the price down to $1.99.
Time to break out that "magic wand," Mr. President!
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Chuck said 7:11PM on 10-27-2008
I have been told by my daughter, who lives in Missouri, that gas prices there have already dropped below the $1.99 price. Where do I get that free massage?