diff --git a/src/Utils.py b/src/Utils.py
index 071271056..9d217f50c 100644
--- a/src/Utils.py
+++ b/src/Utils.py
@@ -50,7 +50,7 @@ import gen.lib
 import Errors
 from QuestionDialog import WarningDialog, ErrorDialog
 
-from const import TEMP_DIR, USER_HOME
+from const import TEMP_DIR, USER_HOME, WINDOWS, MACOS, LINUX
 import shutil
 
 #-------------------------------------------------------------------------
@@ -256,6 +256,37 @@ def add_menuitem(menu, msg, obj, func):
     item.show()
     menu.append(item)
 
+#-------------------------------------------------------------------------
+#
+# Platform determination functions
+#
+#-------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+def lin():
+    """
+    Return True if a linux system
+    Note: Normally do as linux in else statement of a check !
+    """
+    if platform.system() in LINUX:
+        return True
+    return False
+    
+def mac():
+    """
+    Return True if a Macintosh system
+    """
+    if platform.system() in MACOS:
+        return True
+    return False
+
+def win():
+    """
+    Return True if a windows system
+    """
+    if platform.system() in WINDOWS:
+        return True
+    return False
+
 #-------------------------------------------------------------------------
 #
 #
diff --git a/src/const.py.in b/src/const.py.in
index 20f462256..f59438349 100644
--- a/src/const.py.in
+++ b/src/const.py.in
@@ -193,6 +193,16 @@ XMLFILE      = "data.gramps"
 NO_SURNAME   = "(%s)" % _("none")
 NO_GIVEN     = "(%s)" % _("none")
 
+#-------------------------------------------------------------------------
+#
+# Platforms
+# Never test on LINUX, handle Linux in the else statement as default
+#
+#-------------------------------------------------------------------------
+LINUX = ["Linux", "linux"]
+MACOS = ["Darwin", "darwin"]
+WINDOWS = ["Windows", "win32"]
+
 #-------------------------------------------------------------------------
 #
 # Options Constants