Q: Why are you so down on Windows Vista’s 64-bit edition? I run it, and I haven’t encountered any problems.
A: You can find the 64-bit edition of Vista — so named for its ability to process larger chunks of data than the normal, 32-bit version — on an increasing number of PCs. This option can seem like an obvious step up: More is better, right?
But 64-bit Vista doesn’t provide much benefit for many home users. It lets you work with extremely large files, but most people at home don’t open anything bigger than a short video clip or one of Microsoft’s Service Pack downloads. Complex computations can also run faster in this version — but again, few non-professional users will see a significant speedup from this ability.
Vista’s 64-bit edition, unlike the 32-bit flavors of Windows we’ve been using for years, can also accommodate 4 gigabytes or more of memory, and that may provide a simpler explanation for its newfound popularity. As memory gets cheaper, computer manufacturers have been shipping more memory on new systems — but once they hit 4 gigs, they have to load 64-bit Vista.
This version doesn’t cost extra, and by all accounts, it accepts far more 32-bit programs than 64-bit XP ever did. It also adds some useful system-level security upgrades. But old programs can still have problems, and older drivers may not run at all.
You should at least inventory your old hardware and software before buying a computer with 64-bit Vista to see if they’ll still work. If, however, you don’t get more than 3 gigs of memory on your next machine — even for Vista, that’s a lot — you can stick with 32-bit Vista and dodge this entire issue.
Q: How can I keep track of the security fixes for all the software that Windows Update doesn’t cover, like my Internet plug-ins and media players?
A: Secunia, a security developer in Copenhagen, provides a free tool at its Web site that can scan a Windows PC’s add-on software for insecure or obsolete versions.
Visit secunia.com/vulner ability_scanning/online, click to allow this page’s Java software to run, and in a minute or so, that page should list applications needing an update with a red X and a link to download their latest release. Current applications will show a green checkmark.
This online scanner covers about 70 applications. For a more thorough inventory — or if you have trouble running this tool through your browser — you can download Secunia’s free Personal Software Inspector (secunia.com/vulnerability_ scanning/personal/), which the company says covers more than 70,000 titles.
Source : http://wenatcheeworld.com/
A: You can find the 64-bit edition of Vista — so named for its ability to process larger chunks of data than the normal, 32-bit version — on an increasing number of PCs. This option can seem like an obvious step up: More is better, right?
But 64-bit Vista doesn’t provide much benefit for many home users. It lets you work with extremely large files, but most people at home don’t open anything bigger than a short video clip or one of Microsoft’s Service Pack downloads. Complex computations can also run faster in this version — but again, few non-professional users will see a significant speedup from this ability.
Vista’s 64-bit edition, unlike the 32-bit flavors of Windows we’ve been using for years, can also accommodate 4 gigabytes or more of memory, and that may provide a simpler explanation for its newfound popularity. As memory gets cheaper, computer manufacturers have been shipping more memory on new systems — but once they hit 4 gigs, they have to load 64-bit Vista.
This version doesn’t cost extra, and by all accounts, it accepts far more 32-bit programs than 64-bit XP ever did. It also adds some useful system-level security upgrades. But old programs can still have problems, and older drivers may not run at all.
You should at least inventory your old hardware and software before buying a computer with 64-bit Vista to see if they’ll still work. If, however, you don’t get more than 3 gigs of memory on your next machine — even for Vista, that’s a lot — you can stick with 32-bit Vista and dodge this entire issue.
Q: How can I keep track of the security fixes for all the software that Windows Update doesn’t cover, like my Internet plug-ins and media players?
A: Secunia, a security developer in Copenhagen, provides a free tool at its Web site that can scan a Windows PC’s add-on software for insecure or obsolete versions.
Visit secunia.com/vulner ability_scanning/online, click to allow this page’s Java software to run, and in a minute or so, that page should list applications needing an update with a red X and a link to download their latest release. Current applications will show a green checkmark.
This online scanner covers about 70 applications. For a more thorough inventory — or if you have trouble running this tool through your browser — you can download Secunia’s free Personal Software Inspector (secunia.com/vulnerability_ scanning/personal/), which the company says covers more than 70,000 titles.
Source : http://wenatcheeworld.com/
