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PlayOnLinux has a new alpha release out with an overhaul of the interface

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PlayOnLinux, a program which helps Linux users manage games run in Wine has a new release out aimed at giving the project a new life.

PlayOnLinux 5.0 alpha 1 code-named "Phoenicis" includes a completely redesigned user interface, along with moving their scripting system from bash to JavaScript. They're also now storing the scripts POL uses to install and setup games and applications on GitHub, so that if there's problems with their own infrastructure you can still use POL.

If you can't run it on Ubuntu 18.04, you're not alone. They seem to be having issues with it not working on the latest Java, hopefully they will solve that in time. For now they're telling people to use Java 8. More info on the issue here and here.

See their news post here.

Article taken from GamingOnLinux.com.
Tags: Alpha, Apps, Wine
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I am the owner of GamingOnLinux. After discovering Linux back in the days of Mandrake in 2003, I constantly came back to check on the progress of Linux until Ubuntu appeared on the scene and it helped me to really love it. You can reach me easily by emailing GamingOnLinux directly. Find me on Mastodon.
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TheSHEEEP Sep 24, 2018
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Oof... Can't they just join forces with Lutris and produce something that actually works?

PlayOnLinux hasn't worked well for me in years since it is so outdated in actual game scripts.
Lutris doesn't even manage to install Steam Wine correctly, so that it freezes at startup due to the script somehow messing up the 32/64bit versions.

I was kinda hoping POL would go the way of the dodo and more people would join the Lutris project, since that does seem way more promising (partly due to NOT being limited to linux).
Whitewolfe80 Sep 24, 2018
Quoting: TheSHEEEPOof... Can't they just join forces with Lutris and produce something that actually works?

PlayOnLinux hasn't worked well for me in years since it is so outdated in actual game scripts.
Lutris doesn't even manage to install Steam Wine correctly, so that it freezes at startup due to the script somehow messing up the 32/64bit versions.

I was kinda hoping POL would go the way of the dodo and more people would join the Lutris project, since that does seem way more promising (partly due to NOT being limited to linux).

Really i have never had a problem with lutris but if you are having problems with steam installs submit and tell matthew comondant (Stryder) there are bug reports if you cant contact him via lutris hes on twitter and you can find him weekly in the linuxvideogamecast discord
Cybolic Sep 24, 2018
While it's always nice to see more development on user-focused Wine tools, I wish that PlayOnLinux would focus more on uniting the field instead of doing their own thing again. Using Java is one thing, but coming up with yet another install script framework - in a different scripting language from what's generally considered the standard for these thing - isn't really helping build a solid, widely usable pool of install scripts. We already have Winetricks and Lutris (both of which use Bash shell scripts), I really don't see how adding JavaScript to the mix will help.

Disclaimer: I wrote Vineyard so I'm fairly biased ;)
Ardje Sep 24, 2018
It's either java or javascript. And the two cultures hate eachother.
But in this case I bet it is java.
legluondunet Sep 24, 2018
Quoting: TheSHEEEPOof... Can't they just join forces with Lutris and produce something that actually works?

PlayOnLinux hasn't worked well for me in years since it is so outdated in actual game scripts.
Lutris doesn't even manage to install Steam Wine correctly, so that it freezes at startup due to the script somehow messing up the 32/64bit versions.

I was kinda hoping POL would go the way of the dodo and more people would join the Lutris project, since that does seem way more promising (partly due to NOT being limited to linux).

I used POL for several years, not for their scripts (as for Lutris, scripts are obsolete too fast) but to manage easier Wine prefix and others tweaks/operation.

And POL is not limited to Linux, but there is a version for Macosx too.
I'm not as sure as you that Lutris is more promising than POL, we have here two big challenger and you don't have to choose only one of them, you can use the two, like I do.
Nanobang Sep 24, 2018
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I'm glad to see PoL is still alive and, if not kicking, twitching. This project was what opened Wine gaming up for me (almost a decade ago? Sheesh) and has a place in my heart because of that. I've never found much use for its scripts, but it was, and is, an excellent Wine management tool. Kudos PoL people!
riusma Sep 24, 2018
Aaaah that bring some nostalgia! I do not use PoL anymore but it's the software that brought me back to gaming after my switch to Linux (was not playing games anymore at that time) with support for Diablo III on Linux... About 100 hours of fun with Windows friends before Valve support of Steam on Linux and my switch to "native" Linux gaming only! :)
tonR Sep 24, 2018
QuoteIf you can't run it on Ubuntu 18.04, you're not alone. They seem to be having issues with it not working on the latest Java, hopefully they will solve that in time. For now they're telling people to use Java 8. More info on the issue here and here.
Now I know why MediathekView isn't working properly for a few weeks after I'm updating to 18.04.

p/s: Nope, I don't understand German. But, If I wake up Sunday morning and Terrestial TV, Youtube and Vimeo videos not interesting, Mediathekview is my entertainment.
elmapul Sep 24, 2018
looks like competition is paying off...


"includes a completely redesigned user interface, along with moving their scripting system from bash to JavaScript"
how the hell this suppose to work?
CJOR Sep 24, 2018
Great! I always use POL. I like it for the easy management of wine prefixes.
In this scenario I do not like to use scripts, all my installations are made and configured manually.


Last edited by CJOR on 24 September 2018 at 5:21 pm UTC
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