Thom: The Coming 64-bit Wall

lynnb

lynnb

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This news article on Thom Hogan's site is essential reading if you intend moving to Apple's next 64-bit OS now or in the future, or if you will upgrade to a future Windows 64-bit OS.

The summary: software, apps and even files that are written in 32-bit code will not be able to be used or opened in the new 64-bit operating systems. Some software that is currently 64-bit uses 32-bit code behind the scenes.

I already keep an old Mac to run Epson Scan software. When it comes time to upgrade my current Mac Mini, I will probably keep it to run my non-subscription Adobe CS6/LR6, plug-ins and other software that is not 64-bit compatible, and disconnect it from the internet to avoid any malware concerns.
 
I don’t understand the argument about jpeg2000, what about a file format might make it not work in a 64bit os (unless it has embedded code, which I don’t believe jpeg2000 does)?

Likewise QuickTime files, I could imagine the app going away but why would the file format stop working?
 
Responding to myself but: they are confounding codec support with file format. Nothing will break about those files, just the built in os ability to decode them. There is nothing preventing a third party from writing their own codec or writing a converter.
 
Lynn's plan is similar to what I have been doing for some time. I have an old desktop running Windows XP, Photoshop CS2 and Silverfast-SE that works with my old Epson scanner. I only use the XP desktop for my photo work. Duplicating that functionality on a newer MAC or Windows machine could cost me several thousand dollars. I have newer IMAC and Linux machines I use for surfing the net, and I might eventually migrate my photo work to one of those, but I'm really hoping me and my XP machine will be buried together.
 
I know this was primarily for Apple users,and I am pretty much computer ignorant. So, my comments are directed to Windows users that may be faced with this situation. I am, and have been, running Epson Scan, CS2, E11 and other software on my PC/W10, Vers 1803/64 bit. I hope this may be of some help to PC users. If not, alas, as I have shown my ignorance in cyber affairs. ;)
 
Am also keeping older Mac as dedicated Lightroom machine. Due to Adobe subscription model change, dont see the need to upgrading software anyway. Capture One some day, but no rush :)
 
Corran said:
I've been running a 64-bit OS for almost 10 years now. How is this news?
Click to expand...

Hi Corran,

I've been running Mac 64-bit OS for years, too. That's not the issue reported in this article - the issue is the withdrawal of 32-bit support from the next version of the Mac OS:

From the Mac Observer: "64-bit support has been around starting with macOS 10.5, and now 32-bit support is being phased out. Apple started requiring 64-bit support for all titles submitted to the Mac App Store as of January."

So if existing 64-bit Mac OS users (including myself) upgrade to the updated OS, some programs, apps and files will not be supported i.e. they may lose some or all functionality depending on what functions rely on 32-bit code (which may be embedded within a 64-bit application).

At present this is a Mac-only issue, but if/when (more likely when) Windows withdraws 32-bit support, Win users will face the same issue.
 
lynnb said:
At present this is a Mac-only issue, but if/when (more likely when) Windows withdraws 32-bit support, Win users will face the same issue.
Click to expand...
Just to put Windows users at ease... This isn't likely to happen for a long, long time.

There's an awful lot of 32-bit software in use - notably by Microsoft's corporate clients - and Microsoft has to keep those sweet. So, Windows 10 in its 64-bit incarnation (it installs as 32 or 64 bit - user's choice) happily runs 32-bit programs, and will continue to do so into the foreseeable future. Most software that Microsoft sells such as its current Office 365 has the option of being installed as 32 or 64 bit.

This is a separate issue from old programs being compatible with new versions of Windows - they may or may not work (as an aside, I run Windows 10, and the oldest program I still use is Vern, a virtual Windows app, from 2001 - 18 years ago!).

In short, Windows users can ignore this issue for many more years...
 
Windows is likely to have ARM version in future, that might not be able run all old x86 programs as now. But dont think Intel version go anywhere for a long time.
 
Corran said:
I've been running a 64-bit OS for almost 10 years now. How is this news?
Click to expand...

The first one I ran (as a user, though) was in 1996 - Sun Solaris/SunOS on their Ultra 1 machines that the university had. My current (but old) PC could have run a 64-bit OS since I got it almost 11 years ago, but I installed a 32-bit Linux for the first years.

But, no, completely removing support for 32-bit code is probably not scheduled for Linux, I'd guess. :)
 
lynnb said:
This news article on Thom Hogan's site is essential reading if you intend moving to Apple's next 64-bit OS now or in the future, or if you will upgrade to a future Windows 64-bit OS.

The summary: software, apps and even files that are written in 32-bit code will not be able to be used or opened in the new 64-bit operating systems. Some software that is currently 64-bit uses 32-bit code behind the scenes.

I already keep an old Mac to run Epson Scan software. When it comes time to upgrade my current Mac Mini, I will probably keep it to run my non-subscription Adobe CS6/LR6, plug-ins and other software that is not 64-bit compatible, and disconnect it from the internet to avoid any malware concerns.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the heads-up Lynn. Apple did a similar thing with iOS a few years ago, but did it under the radar, and numerous iPhone/iPad apps were disabled with the new iOS because of the change (can't remember if it was from 32 - 64 or from 16 - 32, but numerous software developers threw in the towel when their apps couldn't work, and refused to redevelop them for the new system). One of my favorite "on the go" photo editing apps, Photogene fell victim to the upgrade.

I find it very frustrating.

Best,
-Tim
 
lynnb said:
...

At present this is a Mac-only issue, but if/when (more likely when) Windows withdraws 32-bit support, Win users will face the same issue.
Click to expand...

Most of broadcast, media faculties are using Windows and Linux based platforms and they will need backward compatibility for another decade. Next to all broadcasting networks in USA have something running 32-bit and no plans for upgrade.
In 2018 I have to run old application from the turn of millennium to upgrade old router at one the NHL team facilities. Manufacturer of this fifteen years old router is still providing parts, service and new firmware for it. Running this app was like back to Windows 3.1. :)

I think at some point 32-bit might be cut by CPU manufacturers, not OS providers.
 
RichC and Kostya, thanks for the clarification. So it's just us Mac OS users that will be left out in the cold, sometime soon.

Makes me glad I mostly shoot film nowadays!
 
Might I suggest VMware Fusion/Workstation Pro (neither costs that much) or VMBox (free) and create a virtual system. I don't have any old scanner to test with but the learning curves are not steep (thanks YouTube).

There will be another change in OSs coming in about three or four years (128 Bit) so save know for new HW.

B2 (;->
 
Windows' 64-bit version has a 32-bit subsystem that can handle most older apps.

BillBingham2's VM suggestion is a good one.
 
Looks like I'll be forced into Adobe's Cloud based LR app. May as well go ahead and get used to it.

And I'll be dumping old apps I've kept but haven't used for some time such as Picasa and photo software by Canon and Olympus and others.

But I'm still not clear on Epson software. Overall printer software looks okay but some features like low ink reminders are still 32 bit. I would really be PO'd if the printer doesn't work in the future.
 
bcostin said:
Windows' 64-bit version has a 32-bit subsystem that can handle most older apps.

BillBingham2's VM suggestion is a good one.
Click to expand...

Biggest challenge with any VM is not in installing, but making it works with periferial.

Isn't current Macs supporting dual OS boot?


https://support.apple.com/en-ca/HT201468

Install Windows as second OS and problem is solved.
 
I run the latest Mac OS, I get notices when I first turn on that certain programs are not optimized for the system and might not operate correctly or something to that effect. A couple of them are games and such and seem to work perfectly fine. Aperture works fine, there are several programs that must be behind the scene as I can't seem to find them to update them and the App Store hasn't come up with any updates either so I just don't worry.
 
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