Is there a reasonably simple way for me to go on using the defunct, Intel-based Nisus Writer Pro?

DSharp_Paris wrote:

My question is this: is there a way of creating an environment on my existing computer—an M4 MacBook Air currently running Tahoe—that would allow me to go on using NWP indefinitely?

Yes.

Could that be done without too much difficulty?

Drop-dead easy.

You'll need a virtual machine. I recommend Virtual Buddy, available here: https://github.com/insidegui/VirtualBuddy

It's very easy to just pick the older OS version you want to install and have it up and running in a few minutes.

Virtual Buddy supports guest OS versions back to Monterey at least. Anything older than Sonoma may require some adjustments due to Apple's constantly changing APIs.

DSharp_Paris wrote:

The company that produced the brilliant Nisus Writer Pro word processor (NWP) ceased to exist around a year ago, without making it possible for an open-source version to be maintained.

Since then, I've been unable to reconcile myself to the prospect of doing without it. At the latest, NWP is due to stop working once support ends for Intel-based apps.

My question is this: is there a way of creating an environment on my existing computer—an M4 MacBook Air currently running Tahoe—that would allow me to go on using NWP indefinitely?

If that's impossible, I might even be willing to envisage having a separate, older, computer that I'd use only for running NWP, and which potentially would not be connected to the internet for that reason.

Could that be done without too much difficulty?

re: "M4 MacBook Air currently running Tahoe"

re: " ceased to exist around a year ago, without making it possible for an open-source version to be maintained."

re: "stop working once support ends for Intel-based apps."

ref: Rosetta Using Intel-based apps on a Mac with Apple silicon

Have you contacted your developer —Nisus Software Support

For your third party devices/app—if in doubt search the developers website or contact their: Support/Help/FAQ/Known issues/compatibility/updates

Contact a third-party vendor - Apple Support

Contact a third-party vendor - Apple Support

There is Mellel for Mac (no longer in the Mac App Store, but direct from developer), and even has a discount for Nisus users. Free trial and very low purchase price for full version. I have never used Nisus products, nor have Mellel, but it may be a way forward for you on Apple Silicon depending upon the feature set and learning curve.

I have no financial interest in Mellel.

Big, BIG thanks to you, etresoft!

I had completely forgotten about VirtualBuddy. While I did use UTM to install a test of Sequoia and it ran well, VirtualBuddy is not only drop-dead simple compared to use compared to UTM, the virtual OS of Sequoia I installed just now also runs much faster and smoother.

Saving the download link to that now. For others reading this topic, this is the same GitHub site for VirtualBuddy, but is the download page to get a copy that is already compiled and ready to use.

https://github.com/insidegui/VirtualBuddy/releases/tag/2.1