Hackers Get Windows XP on Apple Computers

http://www.localnewsleader.com/olberlin/stories/index.php?action=fullnews&id=162645
Staff and agencies

22 March, 2006

By MAY WONG, AP Technology Writer Fri Mar 17, 9:28 PM ET

SAN JOSE, Calif. - As expected, hackers have found a way to run Microsoft Corp.‘s Windows XP Windows XP operating system on new Macintosh Macintosh computers, winning an ad hoc contest and a $13,854 cash prize to boot.

Some users of Apple Computer Inc.‘s Macs have clamored for such a solution since Apple said it would be switching its computers to Intel Corp.‘s chips, putting the feat within reach.

Colin Nederkoorn, a shipping broker in Houston, says he just wants to streamline his work: instead of using his Apple PowerBook computer for some programs and a Windows PC for other tasks, he‘d like to just use one machine.

Late Thursday, the prize went to two San Francisco Bay Area software developers, Jesus Lopez, 33, of Alameda, and Eric Wasserman, 41, of Berkeley.

Lopez, who never even owned a Mac computer until he had to get one to assume the challenge, said in an interview Friday his previous tinkering projects were all personal.

On Friday, Nederkoorn‘s Web site was busy with collaboration between developers working to improve upon Lopez‘ work. Nederkoorn said the so-called "Windows on Mac" project is open-sourced, meaning anyone can build on it.

"It should be as easy as two clicks at some stage," he said.

"If there are people who love our hardware but are forced to put up with a Windows world, then that‘s OK," senior vice president Phil Schiller said at the time.