So the truth about Logos on Linux is...

John Goodman
John Goodman Member Posts: 1,739 ✭✭✭
edited November 2024 in English Forum

This is quite a technical discussion but is probably of huge interest to those who want to see Logos on linux.

The Problem
Logos do not make a linux version - but there is hope!

Why

Linux is a great OS which many of us prefer. Some like myself only own a mac or windows machine for the purpose of running Logos. I got given a mac but as it ages I would prefer to go back to linux one day.

Solution 1 - Logos changes plan and makes it themselves.
I've read various posts on this forum asking Faithlife to make a Logos version but I believe it has been ruled out by Bob on the basis of cost and market size. This makes solution 1 very unlikely but much of the reason for the expense is the lack of .NET and WPF on linux. These two technologies may be brought to linux by microsoft later this year. At that point it will make sense to give Faithlife another nudge to see if they'll budge. This would be the best possible outcome but it's a long-shot.

Solution 2 - Virtualization - WORKS
If you need Logos on linux now and you have a decent machine then it is already possible to run a virtual windows machine inside linux. These are very tidy, relatively fast and work well but you need a windows license, lots of ram like 16gb and ideally a fast machine with a core i7 processor for adequate results. Many will not be fully happy with this as a solution because it isn't really running Logos on linux and requires maintaining a windows installation and license.

Solution 3 - Wine (This is where the hope is IMHO)
Wine is a compatibility layer designed for Linux and other systems to enable native running of windows apps. Many forum posts have dismissed the possibility of wine as a solution because it is believed that it is not possible to run .NET apps except via Mono (an alternative for .NET). This turns out to be wrong. There was certainly a time when Mono was the preferred way but it is already possible to install every version of .NET on linux with working results. Including the dependencies for Logos 6. This is what I've learned so far...

There are games and apps like Paint.NET which do work on linux.

HOW FAR I HAVE GOTTEN…

By following a tutorial at http://forum.quantum-rush.net/wbb/index.php?page=Thread&threadID=726 I have learned some key things. For .NET to work on linux we need to go 32bit right through the software stack. This seems to be possible with 32bit Ubuntu, 32bit Wine and also Logos will install on 32bit Windows. Using this method I have managed to fully install Logos 6 and all obvious dependencies to Ubuntu already. That was pretty complicated and requires some changes to the tutorial which I can share if others want to have a go. The problem is it doesn’t yet work. When people get windows games to work on linux there are typically specific dll files which also need to be carried over from windows into linux. I think the understanding is that if you own a windows license this is probably ok but I’m not convinced of the legality of that (someone else may know). This is where it gets really technical and if I’m honest beyond my ability as a clergyman (with a background in Java programming and linux not windows). Despite the fact that it doesn't yet work it has gotten very far. Installed is a big deal. It does actually run for a moment before crashing but it doesn't ask for dependencies any more. This really could mean that it will work with very little extra tweaking.

So my hope is that by sharing the above there may be someone else may have the expertise to take it further. I highly suspect that would be someone who has experience playing windows games on linux (seemingly the main use of Wine). Is that you, or do you know that person?

Solution 4 - Logos for Android in Chrome on Linux
This seems likely to happen and will be much appreciated but it is not a power user solution. We do want real Logos desktop. No timeline is available but see here:https://support.google.com/chromebook/answer/6088175?hl=en

A COMMUNITY EFFORT
The good news is that programs as equally complex as logos with similar dependancies already run on linux via wine. The bad news is that although we are close we are not quite there… Can you take it further? A community effort would do two things it would be a great expression of the linux way and also it would be a great measure of interest which may prove the value of a logos for linux to faithlife. Has anyone else had a go?

גַּם־חֹשֶׁךְ֮ לֹֽא־יַחְשִׁ֪יךְ מִ֫מֶּ֥ךָ וְ֭לַיְלָה כַּיּ֣וֹם יָאִ֑יר כַּ֝חֲשֵׁיכָ֗ה כָּאוֹרָֽה

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