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Windows 7 64 bit versus 32 bit

Not only are there going to be several Windows 7 editions, but you will also need to decide if you are going to run a 32 bit or 64 bit version of the operating system. If your CPU is more than a few years old there is a good chance that you can only run the 32 bit version of Windows 7, however if you have a modern processor you may have to decide between each version.

The 32 or 64 bit architecture refers to the memory address length that can be referenced by the processor. This also has an impact on the maximum amount of memory that can be utilised, which is 4GB for a 32 bit CPU (but in reality the maximum accessible ram is closer to 3.4 GB due to other hardware allocations).

Having a 64 bit OS doesn’t automatically make all applications faster because much of today’s software is written and optimised for a 32 bit era. You’ll need software specifically optimised for 64 bit processing to take advantage of any speed improvements. Fortunately, many games are already including such enhancements.

You may think that using a 64 bit OS for a 64 bit processer is an obvious decision, but it is not so straightforward. Introducing a new architecture will cause new compatibility and driver problems that wouldn’t exist under the old 32 bit version.

Pros and Cons of a 64 bit system:

You can address much more than 4GB of memory, which is ideal for avid gamers, CAD, video editors and heavy multi-taskers. However, any 32 bit software you use will still be restricted to 4GB memory – you need a 64 bit CPU, OS and applications to take full advantage of the extra RAM.
16 bit applications will no longer run. Although this is unlikely to be a problem, if you use very old software (from the Windows 3.1 days!) then it will not work under a 64 bit OS.
Existing 32 bit drivers no longer work.If you have older or poorly supported hardware you may find that it can no longer be used. Got a 7 year old scanner that just about works in Vista? You may not be able to get it working in 64 bit Windows 7.
Unsigned kernel-mode drivers no longer work. Along with the issue above, the inability to run unsigned kernel mode drivers will cause problems for old hardware. (There is reportedly a way to bypass this check).
Running some 32 bit applications on a 64 bit OS could actually be slower. The additional overheads in running 32 bit software in 64 bit mode could cause a slight degradation in performance. It will take some time for 64 bit software to become the norm.

The conclusion? Well, it depends on what you use your system for. If you have a 64 bit capable CPU but use older hardware, it would be safe to stay with a 32 bit version for the time being to ensure that you don’t need extra upgrades.

If you’ve got the latest hardware and drivers are available, then it would be worth while taking the step up to a 64 bit OS. If you regularly work with resource hungry applications that are 64 bit optimised (such as video editing, CAD and image packages) then it would be especially beneficial to be able to work with over 4GB of RAM amongst the other improvements.

In the not too distant future, 64 bit computing will be a common standard – as all hardware from the last couple of years has been designed with this in mind. Until a complete upgrade cycle has passed for the majority of users, there is still a strong case for some users to stick with 32 bit Windows for the time being. Once more 64 bit applications start to appear, it would be a good time to make the switch to the new architecture.

Tips on How To Select A Web Hosting Provider.

Anybody who wants to put a website on the Internet must decide

where and how the site will be hosted. When looking to host your

website, there are several key issues you must take into consideration.

1. Uptime: In simplest terms, uptime is time that Internet users can

access your website, browse through its pages, and place orders.

Uptime is measured as a percentage-the percentage of time a website

is up and available to Internet visitors. A good provider will have

99.9% uptime.

2. Security: Your customers must feel confident that your site is secure,

or you will not receive their business.

3. Redundancy: A good hosting provider will have the redundancy

incorporated throughout its entire hosting infrastructure. Redundancy

means having more than one of something - multiple servers, multiple

firewalls, multiple databases and storage units, etc.

4. Facility Maintenance and 24/7 Monitoring: A good hosting provider

maintains a locked, temperature-controlled data center equipped with

fire protection and an alternate power source. The facility should be

monitored on a 24/7 basis.

5. Technical Support: Some low-cost providers offer no technical

support at all, while others in the low-to-mid-cost range offer email

or online chat support. Some of the best hosting providers offer

phone support in addition to online support methods.

Google Chrome OS

IT managers and other experts don't expect a Google OS to upend Microsoft and the Windows OS anytime soon, but it will likely settle into a niche with netbooks and other devices.

When it becomes available next year, Google said its Chrome OS will be a free, open source project, separate from Android, which is designed for mobile phones. Chrome, which is based on the Linux OS, will focus on Web applications and will overlap with Android in some areas.

One IT pro said he is skeptical about the overall utility of the OS for the enterprise because of its specificity for Web-based applications. Chrome's place will depend on the applications IT shops need to run, the performance, and the comfort level with keeping data in the cloud, according to Matthew Leeds, VP of operations at the music sharing website Gracenote.

"Using it for email, sure, but my Blackberry does a fine job already," Leeds said. "Spreadsheet and presentation, depends. But do I really want my corporate budget stored in the cloud? And where is that cloud? There are certain data locality issues that fall under various regulatory requirements -- HIPAA, SOX, EU. What support for encryption, both in transit and at rest, will there be in Web-based applications?"

The move to Windows 7

There appears to be a pent up demand for Windows 7 coming from IT shops who have already moved to Vista, and who have suffered through their share of bugs, incompatibilities and driver issues. IT shops running Windows XP, however, seem to be in no rush to upgrade.

"Microsoft didn't plan what happened with Vista, but it will end up working in their favor now, because people who did use it will be very ready to upgrade," said Patrick Hynds, an IT engineer with numerous Microsoft certifications, who is also president of N.H.-based Critical Sites. "I think of Windows 7 as a really, really big Vista service pack. It is Vista done right, and everyone on Vista will upgrade."
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