No 64-bit (x64) Firefox 4.0, 32-bit (x86) Only – List of Supported....

[windows7user]

Since all of you seem to be very passionate about a 64-bit browser and are scouring looking for an alternative 64-bit browser from the Mozilla website...could somebody answer my previous question and fill me on the benefits of using a 64-bit version of Firefox?

Benchmarks show that 64-bit version of Firefox run faster: Firefox 32 bit (x86) vs. Firefox 64 bit (x64)

Also, it could be potentially safer to run a 64-bit browser if hacks assume 32-bit data registers.

Speed and safety are good reasons I think to use 64-bit.

As for why Flash is not 64-bit, I see no reason why it can't be. It's not as if Flash content (video and games), need to strictly run within 32-bit space. Heck, even 64-bit versions of Java exists and that's magnitudes way more complex than Flash.

 

[Lebon14]

Meh, until there's a 64-bit version of Flash, this isn't a big deal.

This. I don't see why moving from x86 until Adobe move their arse. When they do, the rest will follow.

 

[Klaw117]

Is it possible that Adobe is having problems developing Flash x64 for Windows? My cousin seems to think that this is the reason why it has been in development for so long. I'm not so sure though. If they could do it for Linux, why not Windows?

 

[Airbot]

They don't even have it in development for Windows. I don't think they would have any problem doing it. They have 64 bit photoshop, etc. They know how to do it, they have some unknown reason that no one knows of why they won't do it. And the reason they give that it's not in demand is pure bull.

 

[BCXtreme]

They don't even have it in development for Windows. I don't think they would have any problem doing it. They have 64 bit photoshop, etc. They know how to do it, they have some unknown reason that no one knows of why they won't do it. And the reason they give that it's not in demand is pure bull.

Especially when you consider that Flash Player is a free product that doesn't get them any revenue. There's no reason for them not to do it, but some developers can be infuriatingly stubborn...

P.S. Nice new avatar, Mr. Android!

 

[CreepinJesus]

They don't even have it in development for Windows. I don't think they would have any problem doing it. They have 64 bit photoshop, etc. They know how to do it, they have some unknown reason that no one knows of why they won't do it. And the reason they give that it's not in demand is pure bull.

Especially when you consider that Flash Player is a free product that doesn't get them any revenue...

Not completely true - you get asked to install a Google toolbar or some other useless crap when you download Flash player. No doubt Google are paying them for the sponsoring...

 

[pparks1]

I don't think there is much demand personally. Reason being, there is no good competitor to Flash and everybody can still run the 32-bit version. So, adobe has no great reason to do it. They can focus on things like Photoshop, etc.

 

[Airbot]

As much as flash has been used in so many things over the years, I'm sure they make revenue off of it in ways.

There's enough demand for it. And what, just because they think there's not enough demand for it, they refuse to make it? I don't believe that one bit. It's not rocket science to them, would probably take little effort on their part to make a 64 bit version over a 64 bit photoshop for example. Who says there's so much demand for a 64 bit photoshop? I bet there's the same amount of demand for that, as in flash.

 

[pparks1]

There's enough demand for it. And what, just because they think there's not enough demand for it, they refuse to make it?

Again, practical business sense to me says that if there was lots of demand for it, they would make it. But since they obviously are choosing not too....it makes me really question whether there is actual demand...or just desire to have it.

I don't believe that one bit. It's not rocket science to them, would probably take little effort on their part to make a 64 bit version over a 64 bit photoshop for example. Who says there's so much demand for a 64 bit photoshop? I bet there's the same amount of demand for that, as in flash.

Photoshop is a flagship product, it generates tons of revenue. Clearly they feel there is more demand and more business sense in producing that product, since it actually does exist.

 

[BCXtreme]

There's enough demand for it. And what, just because they think there's not enough demand for it, they refuse to make it?

Again, practical business sense to me says that if there was lots of demand for it, they would make it. But since they obviously are choosing not too....it makes me really question whether there is actual demand...or just desire to have it.

I don't believe that one bit. It's not rocket science to them, would probably take little effort on their part to make a 64 bit version over a 64 bit photoshop for example. Who says there's so much demand for a 64 bit photoshop? I bet there's the same amount of demand for that, as in flash.

Photoshop is a flagship product, it generates tons of revenue. Clearly they feel there is more demand and more business sense in producing that product, since it actually does exist.

Sometimes lack of understanding is misconstrued as lack of demand. If there was a 64-bit Flash, every 64-bit user would jump on board, and in short order wouldn't be able to live without it. Given that so many computers now come with 3-4GB of RAM and 64-bit Windows 7, how many people do you think probably would benefit from 64-bit Flash, that don't even know what the term "64-bit" means?

People can live without 64-bit Flash, yes. People can also live without 64-bit Photoshop, and without 64-bit Windows. That doesn't mean they wouldn't take those things if they're available. From my observance of the tech world, it seems like a lot of products create their own demand simply by existing (i.e. it's a non-essential, but if it's there, people want it).

 

[Dark Nova Gamer]

They don't even have it in development for Windows. I don't think they would have any problem doing it. They have 64 bit photoshop, etc. They know how to do it, they have some unknown reason that no one knows of why they won't do it. And the reason they give that it's not in demand is pure bull.

Especially when you consider that Flash Player is a free product that doesn't get them any revenue. There's no reason for them not to do it, but some developers can be infuriatingly stubborn...

P.S. Nice new avatar, Mr. Android!

Seeing as how the the Internet Explorer Flash Player Install page has an option to install a Google Toolbar, do they not generate revenue from that?

 

[profdlp]

Sometimes lack of understanding is misconstrued as lack of demand. If there was a 64-bit Flash, every 64-bit user would jump on board, and in short order wouldn't be able to live without it. Given that so many computers now come with 3-4GB of RAM and 64-bit Windows 7, how many people do you think probably would benefit from 64-bit Flash, that don't even know what the term "64-bit" means?

People can live without 64-bit Flash, yes. People can also live without 64-bit Photoshop, and without 64-bit Windows. That doesn't mean they wouldn't take those things if they're available. From my observance of the tech world, it seems like a lot of products create their own demand simply by existing (i.e. it's a non-essential, but if it's there, people want it).

Well said.

I think that also ties in with another issue, which is reaching the critical mass of 64-Bit acceptance where it becomes the norm. Maybe there is no huge advantage to having a 64-Bit browser to begin with, making not having as much of a choice between them as we'd like moot. But your average joe who fires up his 64-Bit IE and can't view all the content he's used to seeing because of a lack of Flash support is probably going to decide that every 64-Bit app is just as useless, so why bother? After all, if something as commonplace and necessary as a web browser "doesn't work right" in a 64-Bit version, why mess with a 64-Bit version of Photoshop?

Then we can all sit back and read the stories in the tech magazines where the pointy-headed nerds are all scratching their pointy little heads wondering why 64-Bit "never really caught on". Let's face it, if it weren't for the fact that lots of OEMs are now pushing out the 64-Bit version of Windows 7 it wouldn't have near the acceptance it does today. I bet half of the people who have bought a new computer since Win 7 came out and are running a 64-Bit OS don't even really think about it very much, if at all. Until the majority of casual users see a reason to start insisting on having 64-Bit stuff available there will be a lot of foot-dragging going on on the part of software companies, even for programs which could really put it to good use. Not being able to use your preferred browser because of a tiny little detail like Flash isn't helping matters.

 

[windrider]

I find it amazing since x64 bit versions of Microsoft, Linux etc have been released, that more programs aren't x64 bit compatible.
I mean really its been awhile now. I wonder what the problem is?

 

[WindowsStar]

They don't even have it in development for Windows. I don't think they would have any problem doing it. They have 64 bit photoshop, etc. They know how to do it, they have some unknown reason that no one knows of why they won't do it. And the reason they give that it's not in demand is pure bull.

A huge +1

Since all of you seem to be very passionate about a 64-bit browser and are scouring looking for an alternative 64-bit browser from the Mozilla website...could somebody answer my previous question and fill me on the benefits of using a 64-bit version of Firefox?

Much safer! In Fact Extremely Safe! I do security testing and we did a large scale test of browsing the internet. 64bit browsers DID NOT infect the computer with anything while the same test with 32bit DID infect the computer. So as of now you are much safer browsing the web with 64bit, until the kids start building for 64bit. Now that I said that I am sure there are 12,000 new malware for 64bit. UGH!

Since all of you seem to be very passionate about a 64-bit browser and are scouring looking for an alternative 64-bit browser from the Mozilla website...could somebody answer my previous question and fill me on the benefits of using a 64-bit version of Firefox?

Slightly faster in quite a few web benchmarks. Only able to use 64 bit ActiveX controls if you're worried about security, as there's less ActiveX controls available. If you're not bothered about Flash then it's worth using a 64-bit browser.

Though once HTML5 properly takes off, there will be no point to 64-bit Flash.

Can't wait for HTML5, I am so tired of Adobe's excuses, and their still to this day attitude about Windows. Look Apple lost the OS war get over it. UGH!

Meh, until there's a 64-bit version of Flash, this isn't a big deal.

This. I don't see why moving from x86 until Adobe move their arse. When they do, the rest will follow.

Adobe may just cut themselves out of the market completely. If HTML5 takes off and Silverlight gets more and more popular they may lose the battle. They need to get 64bit out the door yesterday if they want to stay in the game. So many users have embraced Microsoft's hard push on 64bit. With the quiet rumors of 128bit Windows Server coming out for Window 8 we may only have 64bit and 128bit for quite awhile. Currently Windows Server 2008 R2 only comes in 64bit, Microsoft already dropped the 32bit so the hard push to go 64bit is here to stay. JMHO.

 

[CreepinJesus]

Is there a Silverlight plugin for x64? If not, MS can really get a jump on Adobe here...

 

[OneSerious]

Is there a Silverlight plugin for x64? If not, MS can really get a jump on Adobe here...

Pretty much came to post this.

Was going to ask was Silverlight not similar to flash. Have just read up on it and yeah, seems like MS could jump in here.

 

[CreepinJesus]

Is there a Silverlight plugin for x64? If not, MS can really get a jump on Adobe here...

Pretty much came to post this.

Was going to ask was Silverlight not similar to flash. Have just read up on it and yeah, seems like MS could jump in here.

Nope - no sign of x64 Silverlight yet. But seeing as MS are popular-ising a 64-bit OS, Office, and a 64-bit browser, may as well start making their add-ins work with 64-bit!

 

[Layback Bear]

Reasons. 32 bit is going to be like 16 bit is (gone). It won't happen over night but it will happen. I have I.E. 8 32 and 64 and still I use Firefox. I would like to see Firefox in 64 because it would be safer for a while anyway.

 

[pparks1]

Sometimes lack of understanding is misconstrued as lack of demand. If there was a 64-bit Flash, every 64-bit user would jump on board, and in short order wouldn't be able to live without it. Given that so many computers now come with 3-4GB of RAM and 64-bit Windows 7, how many people do you think probably would benefit from 64-bit Flash, that don't even know what the term "64-bit" means?

This isn't a situation where I misunderstood. I too would likely download and use a 64-bit browser if 64-bit flash was available on it. And I agree that a majority of people with 64-bit operating systems would do the same thing.

However, it doesn't seem that Adobe feels there is enough need "yet", to put the effort into creating it. My point is that clearly Adobe feels there is not enough demand for it...either that or there is a major development stumbling block that we don't understand.

So many users have embraced Microsoft's hard push on 64bit.

I don't think Microsoft has been pushing hard at 64-bit at all. We had 64-bit for Windows XP (which was quite awful), then 64-bit for Vista and now Windows 7. I'd say with Windows 7, it's the first time that it's really been adopted and that's mostly from people who want to utilize 4GB of RAM or more.

With the quiet rumors of 128bit Windows Server coming out for Window 8

I would be absolutely SHOCKED if this were to occur unless they delay Windows 8 by at least 5-8 years. We don't even had a 128-bit CPU right around the corner for the consumer market.

Currently Windows Server 2008 R2 only comes in 64bit, Microsoft already dropped the 32bit so the hard push to go 64bit is here to stay. JMHO.

Yes, this is the first server release that is 64-bit. And I think for a lot of shops with new hardware they are rolling out the 64-bit system. However, since there isn't an upgrade path for non 64-bit systems which are already deployed, it's going to be quite a number of years before the 32-bit systems go away.

I honestly feel we are going to be in a 32/64 world for the next 10 years. Just as we were in a 16/32 bit world for more than 10 years.

 

[BCXtreme]

This isn't a situation where I misunderstood. I too would likely download and use a 64-bit browser if 64-bit flash was available on it. And I agree that a majority of people with 64-bit operating systems would do the same thing.

I did not mean to imply that you were misunderstanding. I was referring to the people who have been pushed to 64-bit by default by getting more powerful computers, that might not know enough about 64-bit to say they want x64 Flash.

I would download a 64-bit browser even without 64-bit Flash, as long as 32-bit Flash would still work on it (which would obviously be a prerequisite for any 64-bit browser; to require 64-bit Flash would be like requiring Windows 8 for 2010 software).