[kevkrom]

AMD already makes a 64-bit processor, and I believe most Unix variants (Solaris, BSD, Linux, etc.) are capable of running 64-bit native on that system. Microsoft's "two years" window conviently corresponds to when Intel shopuld be ready with their own true 64-bit chip.

[E. Pluribus Unum]

Yes, and everybody is going to dumb their 32-bit boxes and for new 64-bit hardware and a shiny new 64-bit Microsoft operating system.

Dream on, Bill.

[Mr. K]

I love Micorsoft BUMP

[j_tull]

What ever happened to the IA-64 chip that HP ported HPUX to? Is Intel still pursuing it? (I believe was RISC rather than x86).

[martin_fierro]

"If it can't be done in 8 bits and 64KB of RAM, it doesn't need to be done!" -- MarkL

<|:)~

[RightWhale]

64-bit Extended sounds like a lot of extra files to lose track of. Kind of like 32-bit versions a few years ago. A lot of extra baggage.

[Petronski]

Actually, Bill, 64-bit processing will be mainstream by Monday. By then, SUSE 9.1 (32 and 64 bit on one disk) will be available (not to mention the other 64-bit distros from other companies).

[dfwgator]

Probably a good idea for my company to start doing away with our old Commodore 64s.

[dfwgator]

Ah yes, this brings back memories of upgrading from 16 bit to 32 bit, and replacing all the Windoze API calls. Oh well, it's a living.

[B Knotts]

It already is mainstream...Microsoft is just behind the curve, as usual.

[Billthedrill]

I don't care, I am NOT upgrading my 5 1/4-inch floppy to them new-fangled 3-inchers. A man's gotta take a stand somewhurs...

[al_c]

The 64-bit systems are already here ...

Not trying to start a Mac v. Windows conversation (I use both) ... just pointing out that ol' Bill is paying attention to what's coming down the pike.

[js1138]

I believe this is the first time MS has committed to supporting both AMD and INTEL. I read a month ago that they would only support one 64 bit extension.

AMD should have an edge here because their chips are seamless and have been around and working for a couple of years.

The biggest change, however will be in the bus. PCI is maxed out. It really isn't adequate for servers or for graphic workstations.

[Datahead]

Oh wait. There's been a delay. Pushed out 2 more years. ;-) </sarcasm>

[Republicus2001]

That's amazing! I also just heard some woman claim she can hear human voices coming from a transistor radio!

[The Radical Capitalist]

I'll happily embrace 64-bit technology when it becomes readily available. I'm just a home office computer user, but every year I see the need for more and more power and memory in my own work.

Digital photography and multi-tasking are just two reasons why I'd welcome signifcant improvements in power and speed.

Heck, I purchased my first DVD-burner a few months ago, and already I feel constrained by the 4.7G limit. I want more than just 1 hour of DVD quality when re-mastering my old VHS videos, and I don't want it to take 3 hours to do it. I want to back-up my hard disk on 1 DVD disc, not 5 or 6. Bring on the blue lasers and the 64-bit processors! And while we're at it, I'd like to do my own private weather forcasting, too.

[Myrddin]

I'm looking forward to making the 64-bit leap on an AMD platform. I remember the pain of porting 32-bit software to the Dec ALPHA processor in the early 90s. There's lots of alligators waiting for software developers in the transition. The "void" type pointers are 128 bits wide. That blows structure alignments in memory, on disk and in function calls. Maybe we'll toss a conversion to IP version 6 into the mix. Endure the maximum discomfort while you have good hotshots warming the software development seats.

[RightOnline]

Gates is dead-on right on this one.

[omega4412]

DEC Alpha. 1992.

I'm still running a 1993 DEC 3000-400, though it's too slow for production runs. And VMS. Some computer people look at me as if they expect the doc set to be on clay tablets in cuneiform. But no problems with Windows viruses. The system just tells them, I don't understand what you're telling me to do. In polite Hittite.

[HAL9000]

Microsoft Chairman and Chief Software Architect Bill Gates predicted that 64-bit computing will become mainstream in the PC industry over the next two years because of 32-bit extended technology that preserves customers' existing investments.

DOS Forever.