As we said before, we are working on an Mac OS X version. But till that happy day comes, we found an in-between solution that works perfectly well on my MacBook.

I'm sure most of you heard of "Parallels Desktop for Mac" that lets you run Windows on your Intel Mac – it's much better than "Boot Camp". Parallels, unlike Boot Camp, lets you open Windows right from your OS X dock – making XP or Vista behave just like any other software on your Mac, running simultaneity with iPhoto, Photo Booth or any other application that you love in your Mac.

But just-installing-windows-on-a-mac is OLD NEWS. We ran 8hands on a Mac using a new feature that came to life in the latest version of Parallels, called "Parallels Coherence". It lets you "Run Windows applications like they were native Mac applications".

With the Coherence mode you don't actually see the Windows environment – just the software you choose to see, and they float on your desktop as if they were OS X apps.

We tried it on an Intel MacBook with 2GB of RAM & Parallels running Windows XP, and we swear by the octopus – it felt like 8hands is running straight from OS X. Actually, and we couldn't really explain why, it even felt smoother this way.

Check out some screen shoots (click to enlarge):

Wanna have that sweet set-up on your own Mac? Here is what you should do:

1. You must have Parallels installed. If you don't, you'll have to buy it (it's recommend - not just for 8hands). But we assume most of you Intel Mac users are using parallels from time to time – just make sure you've updated to the latest version, build 3188.
2. Make Sure you've got "Parallels Tools" installed too (it comes with Parallels, don't worry). While Parallels is the active window, go to the Menu Bar, select "Actions" and "Install Parallels Tools". After it's done you're set to go
3. To switch from the old Parallels mode to the Coherence mode, and to never see the XP environment in your Mac, go back to the Menu Bar, Select "View" and then "Coherence". And looooooooook at that! Your Windows has disappeared. Don't worry, it's still out there, in the background.
4. To open 8hands, or any other windows app for that matter, you've got 3 options: a) Click on the windows symbol on your Parallels dock icon – that will open your normal windows Start Menu, and you'll be able to select 8hands. b) While Parallels is the active window, click on your apple key - that will open your normal windows Start Menu, and you'll be able to select 8hands. c) add 8hands to your OS X dock, and forget about Parallels mediation – in your "Documents" Mac folder, go to Parallels-->Microsoft Windows XP-->Windows Application, and drag "8hands" right to you dock – it will sit there with all of your other Mac apps!
5. Now 8hands is running on your Mac. Enjoy it till the real OS X 8hands version comes.

See how 8hands is running aside OS X software:

BTW: We would love you to send us some screen-shots of 8hands running on your Mac. you know you want to share your lovely desktop with us. Send pics or info of you 8hands on Mac experience to info (at) 8hands (dot) com.

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