The world is not ready for 64-bit Vista
By Jonathan Schlaffer
Running a 64-bit operating system is a double-edged sword, on one hand you can use all available memory, on the other hand there are problems running certain software and developers have yet to catch up.
Granted, the 64-bit revolution is just beginning but cut me some slack here; several programs I was accustomed to using on either Windows XP (32-bit) or Windows Vista (32-bit) do not function under a 64-bit environment and compatibility mode is a joke for 64-bit operating systems.
Some of the problems I’ve had include having to find a different firewall to use because the one I was using incompatible with the 64-bit environment and having to find other software to use.
One example is iPhonebrowser which I wrote about for our sister site, iPhoneTouch. This enables you to pull music off your iPod Touch or iPhone provided you are running 32-bit Windows XP/Vista. You are out of luck if you happen to be using 64-bit Windows.
Another is SpywareDoctor which does not run under 64-bit environments and the developers have yet to determine when or even if it will be released for Windows Vista 64-bit.
These are two pieces of software that I absolutely relied on and which no longer work. Fortunately, I do have access to 32-bit Vista but I shouldn’t have to work around this. It’s getting to the point where developing applications for both 32-bit and 64-bit environments is no longer optional, it’s a must.
Related:
Entry was posted
on Sunday, May 18th, 2008 at 9:11 am
under 
Print This Post
Read more entries by Jonathan Schlaffer.
May 18th, 2008
The 64 bit revolution is starting, but it should have started years ago. As users we should start pressuring developers to develop software for the 64 bit platform.
May 18th, 2008
Why are you complaning about vista ?
Windows created 64 bit vista for those of us that need it, It’s not there fault that the vendors YOU use have not kept up with development and are unwilling to do so
Vista 64 is great software It’s just a shame that the people that normally try to run at are useing old hardware or obscure programes
May 20th, 2008
Been running 64 bit for a couple of years now. I don’t have the problems you’re reporting.
But I’m not running Windows.