Watchtower Library 2008 on Linux
30/04/10 EDIT: New post on installing Watchtower Library 2009 under Ubuntu 10.04
Ubuntu 9.04 “Jaunty Jackalope” is now installed and working happily on my Dell Studio laptop. The next challenge was to get Watchtower Library 2008 working through Wine. In actual fact, it’s a very straightforward process, but I did have to rely on information from several different sources in order to get it fully functioning.
So…for the public good, here is my procedure for installing Watchtower Library 2008 under Wine on Ubuntu 9.04:
- Wine isn’t installed by default (so it seems), so we’re actually going to install the unstable version of Wine. The version that you would usually install is the most recent stable version 1.0.1. However, this causes problems with some navigation in Watchtower Library – notably the small toolbar above the search results pane vanishes, and the main toolbar is offset slightly. You can use it perfectly well without the small toolbar, but I found it very frustrating! To do this, we need to add a new repository, but before we do that, you’ll need the repository authentication key, so download Scott Ritchie’s GPG key and save it to your system.
- Open the Software Sources menu by going to System->Administration->Software Sources. Then select the Third Party Software tab and click Add.
- Paste the following line into the “APT Line” field:
deb http://wine.budgetdedicated.com/apt jaunty main #WineHQ – Ubuntu 9.04 “Jaunty Jackalope” - Click Add Source then select the Authentication tab.
- Click Import Key File and select the GPG key file you saved earlier.
- Now click Close. Reload the package information when prompted.
- Install Wine by opening a terminal window and typing:
sudo apt-get install wine - Install the core Microsoft fonts by typing:
sudo apt-get install msttcorefonts - Now type: wine –version to check that you are running on at least version 1.1.24.
- Insert your Watchtower Library CD-ROM and, after it’s mounted, type: wine /cdrom/Setup.exe
- Make sure you click the checkbox to “Copy files to hard disk”
- When Watchtower Library is installed, you will have a couple of icons on your desktop. Delete the icon with the “.lnk” extension, it’s the standard installer one. Double click on the icon with the “.desktop” extension, and you will be prompted to trust this application. When you click “trust”, then lo and behold…the Watchtower Library 2008 icon appears, and the program will load.
Some tutorials I looked at indicated that you need to copy comctl32.dll from an XP installation, but this is no longer required. When you have installed Watchtower Library, you might like to take a look at the font-smoothing instructions.
Bizarrely, Watchtower Library works faster under Wine on my Ubuntu installation than it did natively on Windows Vista on the same PC! And here it is:
Watchtower Library 2008 on Ubuntu 9.04
Hey,
thank you for your tutorial. I had already get that the current stable version does not function well with WTL 2008 under Jaunty (well, I use Linux Mint Gloria, based upon Jaunty).
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What I’ve learned from you is that I need to doubleclick on that .desktop-file and click on trust the app.
Well, now, WTL does seem to start finally…but it still doesn’t
I have already installed the fonts and wine-tricks on the top of my unstable version of WINE.
Am I alone?
Hi, I have a friend running Mint Linux, so I’ll check what he did to get WTL working properly. What happens when you try to open it? Do you receive the splash screen? Matt
Hi!
When I try to open it, I can see the mouse working, you know, the typical sandclock. And I see in my taskbar the seems-not-yet-to-be-opened-window of WTL…I wait, but instead of opening, it closes.
Second step is not required. Well, it is not required at that stage.
If you do the way you have described, you install (download) outdated wine version, then change repository and install (download) new version. This makes no sense, Just do wine installation only after you update repositories. BTW, there is simple script to install newest wine on any debian/ubuntu version:
http://wiki.jswindle.com/index.php/Watchtower_Library_2008#Install_latest_wine_easily
More details on Watchtower Library and wine can be obtained in official wine application database:
http://appdb.winehq.org/objectManager.php?sClass=version&iId=14956
Good point – I’ll edit the original post. I was just posting what worked for me, but just installing the unstable version would save a step. Matt.
That is strange…do other Windows applications work, such as the Notepad from the Wine/Programs/Accessories menu? Have you tried reinstalling Watchtower Library? Perhaps running sudo wine /cdrom/Setup.exe
BTW, there are screenshots and step-by-step instruction on adding wine repository:
http://www.winehq.org/download/deb
Also, steps 7, 8 and 10 could be completed via gui. Step 7 and 8, if done via console could be completed in one step:
sudo apt-get install wine msttcorefonts
Yes, the Notepad works. Today I’ve updated WINE to version 1.1.26, removed WTL and reinstalled it in XP-Modus using the Setup.exe…and it happens the same
.
Hi Davide, I’ve created a post called “Basic Troubleshooting for Wine Step 1″, which might help you start to diagnose the problem. Matt
interesting material, where such topics do you find? I will often go
Thank you very much Matt, I’m going to check it out.
I have Windows7 and 2009 Watchtower CD is not compatible and all i did was install 1995 and 2009 and took all files and copied into the folders for the 2005 and the only difference is the 2005 version is being used but all files are viewable in 2005 for the 2009 Watchtower products are certainly viewable… Hahaha took me all day to do the thinking of the copy and cut and paste option.
lechien73?
Hi! Can I do translation of your instructions, how to install watchtower library, in my new website. Some finnish people can’t understand english and this translation helps them. I’m using Linux Ubuntu 9.04 and watchtower library 2009. Instructions works same way than wt2008. Please send me e-mail, please
Yes, please feel free to translate the instructions. I’m glad they were useful to you. I’ve sent you a mail as well.
Good morning. Thank you for these post.
I have been able to install and run Library 2008 on Ubuntu 9 and 10x beta. However, in all cases, when I try to perform a search, it crashes and closes.
Are you able to perform a search in WT 2008 or 09 under Wine?
Thanks for your comment, I am able to search fine under 9.10 and 10.4 beta. What version of wine are you using? You can check by opening a terminal window and typing: wine –version
Is also possible to install VirtualBox from SUN, then install XP into that, then using the VirtualBox XP install WTL2009 into that. I found it not possible to install WTL2009 using WINE – haven’t thought about using earlier version WTL then copying 2009 data directory into wine version. Will try.
Many thanks
Yes, you can certainly do that. There is the slight irritation of having to boot a VM every time you want to use it, but you can certainly do that if you wish. What problems have you encountered trying to install WTL under Wine?
I have been running Watchtower Library 2006 for years just adding the new data to the RSDATA folder. There are some bug though, particularly with the Bible ICON.
Is there a Windows forum or Group that is Tinkering with this?
here are a lot of others that would like this functionality.
Hi…in Watchtower Library 2010 (or 2009) the Society updated the underlying MEPS framework. If you’re running new data with the old client, then that could be the cause of your problem. Thanks for your comment, Matt.