64 Bit Software

[George]

I've heard new computers are being designed that use 64 bit software. This higher capacity is supposed to lead to new and highly powerful software designs, but I understand the new computers will still be able to run the 32 bit software also. So what does this mean to web designers and desk top publishers?? Will the software we now have be obsolete?? Will we really care??

I have a ton of software, on just so many things. I can't envision replacing it all--there's just too much, and I don't see how it will not serve its function long into the future, even if it all is 32 bit. Further, it accomplishes all the objectives I now have, so what do I care if 64 bit software is coming with higher capacity. However, I understand the 64 bit will make some really exciting games. I know my computer has games and I've always meant to look at them some day.

However, I think it might make a make difference on the server side, or with things like C++ or PHP, but I don't really know about these things.

Regards,

George

[terrie]

I'm not sure but I think in terms of obsolescence, it's 16bit programs that will have a problem. I run 2 16bit programs--Compuserve's old Wincim and Quicken 4.

Terrie

[donmcc]

I suspect I will see my software upgraded to 64 bit over time, through upgrades. Some companies (probably Quark) will attempt to use the change to extort higher charges for the upgrades, but overall I expect it to be quite painless.

Unless you are one of those people who has to have the best of the top of the line at the fastest, firstest, it shouldn't be an issue.

[Hugh Wyn Griffith]

<< ... but I understand the new [64 bit OS] computers will still be able to run the 32 bit software also. >>

Benchmarks show that they are not just able to run 32 bit software but that the 64 bit processors, and especially the dual ones, run 32 bit software a little faster than a 32 bit CPU does.

Check with the benchmark guru in Compuserve's PCHARDWARE if you want to:

http://community.compuserve.com/n/pf...=ws-pchardware

[George]

Thank you.

Yeah, I don't see how having 64 bit capacity is going to make an html editor or something like InDesign more efficient and capable. I have this one software program, that may be my favorite, that is really klunky to run, because it has a zillion scholarly sources available. I really only like the foreign language ones, but they're not available digitally anywhere else, so I go with the klunkiness to have access to them. Now, if 64 bit capacity made the whole set up run more smoothly, that would have to be considered an advantange. However, the program costs $600, and I don't think someone would want to pay that amount a second time just to have things pop up a bit more smoothly. But maybe so-- after all, with the deals I get. I paid $35. I kept telling the store clerk it was a mistake, but he said even though he knew that, he had gone around with the manager about it, and he had no choice but to sell it for $35. The next week, it was the normal price again. Stuff like that always happens to me, so maybe, I will replace everything.

Regards,

George

[Hugh Wyn Griffith]

I expect you are right but I have no real knowledge of this.

[gary]

64-bit computers (like the Alpha) have been around for a decade.

Personal 64-bit computers have been around for over a year. I am writing this reply using Firefox running under 64-bit SuSE Linux 9.3 running on an AMD64 Athlon processor - which I have been using a my principal system for about a year. At one point I even installed and used version 1.1 of the Web Publishing Wizard to update my Compuserve Classic web site under the Windows emulator ("wine").

Microsoft originally planned to deliver it's 64-bit version of Windows ("Longhorn") this past year. So far they have only delivered a server version of Windows that runs in 64-bit mode.

I have several colleagues running (32-bit) Windows 2000 and Windows XP on their AMD64 computers anxioiusly awaiting a (stable) 64-bit version of Windows.

[Hugh Wyn Griffith]

Great -- I'm running at Athlon 64 too but I've not tried a 64bit OS yet ...

So how do you find the 64 bit system, given the paucity of 64 bit applications?

[gary]

Originally Posted by Hugh Wyn Griffith

So how do you find the 64 bit system

Very responsive. (I typically have several windows open in each of six of the ten desktops)

given the paucity of 64 bit applications?

The beauty of open source is that I can recompile (HLL-written) applications and libraries to run in 64-bit mode - but hardly do as the 32-bit performance has been more than sufficient.
(I should download the source for and recompile Firefox since that's where I spend most of my time)

[terrie]

Gary...do you know if it's true that 16bit Windows apps won't run on a 64bit machine?

Thanks...

Terrie