PAF on Linux (or alternatives)

[drcarstens]

I would also request that PAF be built as a platform independent product, perhaps using java and a browser. As a Mac user, I was frustrated when the church ceased updating the Mac version of PAF several years ago, so I am eager to see it revived.

But if you consider the many members in developing countries who may not be able to purchase a Mac or Windows machine, and instead find an inexpensive Linux box or even a stanad-alone box that can only browse the internet - for these many members it would make sense to have a PAF option that is platform independent.

- Ryan

[thedqs]

I would request that it is not web based, due to the limited functionality of web items and the dependence that it has on the server support. A local Java program with small but syncable database would be much more effective and would reduce the load on the FamilySearch servers.

[rmrichesjr]

PAF 5.2 does indeed install and run very well under Wine version 0.9.29. Instructions are at

http://appdb.winehq.org/appview.php?iVersionId=1706

Please look at the top and bottom of that page for current (January, 2007) information. (I am waiting a bit longer before removing some of the obsolete information from 2006 and earlier on that page. I'm one of the volunteer maintainers for that AppDB page.)

If you encounter problems using PAF 5 under Wine, please post a note to that page, and I'll do what I can to help. (At last attempt, PAF 4 does not install using the latest Wine version. The user who needed PAF 4 was going to file a bug report against Wine, but I haven't seen that happen.)

[HaleDN]

I would request that it is not web based, due to the limited functionality of web items and the dependence that it has on the server support. A local Java program with small but syncable database would be much more effective and would reduce the load on the FamilySearch servers.

I agree that a PAF replacement needs to be a stand-alone application, but obviously with the new Family Search data acting as the central repository, it would need to be able to be synchronized when an internet connection is available. PAF Insight (http://www.ohanasoftware.com/) already has some of this ability by automating some of the HTTP processes which normally require a browser.

[bchirel-p40]

Just a reply to Tomw... Gramps now has the ability to store relative paths. The new "media manager" feature does the chopping automatically.

I can confirm that PAF works on wine on Linux and NetBSD. I still prefer Gramps myself.

I don't think java would be a very good idea for PAF (or whatever it would be called). I think http://bugs.sun.com/bugdatabase/view_bu ... id=4121972 , among others, is relevant here.

Perhaps wxWidgets could be used. In that way, I think, code and logic could be incorporated from the current PAF (I'm guessing it's MSVC++ right now).

[thedqs]

I might be wrong but I believe Sun fixed that.

http://bugs.sun.com/bugdatabase/view_bu ... id=4313883

It shows that it was fixed after Java 1.4.

[bchirel-p40]

Oops. Yes, you are right. sorry.

It may not be true anymore (I don't know), but Java has, in the past, been plagued with I/O slowness, and that's more what I was getting at.

</slightlyofftoppic>

[WelchTC]

Just a reply to Tomw... Gramps now has the ability to store relative paths. The new "media manager" feature does the chopping automatically.

AWESOME! I'll grab the latest. Thanks for letting me know!

Tom

[jlwell-p40]

YEESSS!!! PAF5.2 finally works on linux (PCLinuxOS 0.93) with wine-0.9.29 for me without resorting to any *.dll madness. For those who wish to compile & install their own version:
1. Download PAF5Font.exe & PAF5EnglishSetup.exe (or whatever your language(s)
you prefer from the downloads section at FamilySearch.org.
2. Download wine-0.9.29.tar.bz2 or later from the winehq.org website.
Move it to some directory (I use build) in your home directory.
Extract the tarball.
Enter the wine-0.9.** directory just created and read the README file carefully.
On initial install, pay particular attention to section 3. REQUIREMENTS -> Optional
support libraries: After all library requirements are met, THEN run ./tools.wineinstall.
3. After wine is sucessfully installed run wine PAF5Font (in the directory where
PAF5Font.exe is located). After that is successfully installed run winecfg and choose
your fonts (Andale) under the Fonts tab. When done exit and log out.
4. Log in, then from a terminal, run wine PAF5***Setup ( in the directory where it is
located). I just chose defaults. ( Do choose Install PAF5 icon on desktop).
5. After Installation is finished, click on the PAF5 icon and enjoy!

Caveat! For anyone who contemplates installing PCLinuxOS 0.93, don't. It's successor, 0.94 or 2007 or whatever they decide to call it is due out VERY soon, & you won't be able to upgrade. So, like me, be patient. From what I.ve seen, the wait will be well worth it

[rmrichesjr]

YEESSS!!! PAF5.2 finally works on linux (PCLinuxOS 0.93) with wine-0.9.29 for me without resorting to any *.dll madness. For those who wish to compile & install their own version:
...

The HOWTO and some of the comments at the Wine AppDB page for PAF 5,

http://appdb.winehq.org/appview.php?iVersionId=1706

have been updated since the link was first posted in comment #13. Additional cleanup of obsolete comments is in process. There are different methods that appear to have succeeded in getting PAF 5 to work under Wine.

(Gramps running natively does arguably have many advantages over PAF under Wine, but if another household member insists on learning and using a _SINGLE_ program at home and at the FHC, PAF would seem to fit that requirement.)