Is any one perturbed about Flare still a 32bit app?

[cruitbuck]

So, I was working with a large set of files to import. And BANG! Flare ran out of memory. I checked my resources. Only 32% used. Ran the import again. BANG! BANG! you get the picture...

Then, one of the engineers was walking past my cube and said, "What's up Buck?"

"Flare is and is not. I keep getting an out of memory error."

"OK, the super geeky engineer said. Let's have a look."

He looked and looked and looked. Then when all of a sudden with a twinkle in his eye, and twitch of his nose, he lifted his finger and pointed at me, "Well here it is, Buck. Flare drops into the 32 bit hole."

"What?" Astounded and appalled. "How can that be? What does this mean?"

"Clam yourself Buck, it means only this. In Windows 10, Flare has access to only 4 GB of memory space. Unfortunately, the OS takes about 1 GB. So you're left with only 3. Your system shows 12 GB available on 64 bit Windows 10."

How disappointing. How embarrassing. I hung my head low as the super geeky engineer smiled, "Buck, you just have to work with it and find a way to shame the folks at Madcap into 64 bit submission."

But how can I do something to shame the makers of my beloved software? I've taken this application to the utter brink (there are two utter brinks in the world, UB1 and UB2). So, I'll let it be written and hope they'll let it be done.

Please port to 64 bit or whatever your method be.

Sincerely, Buck the Tech Writer.

[RamonS]

I cannot speak for MadCap nor would I ever try, but there are other implications that come with 64 bit support. 64 bit applications are noticeably larger than 32 bit application in regards to application file size. That isn't too much of an issue, but since a 32 bit version has to remain available (yes, there are still folks out there who only have a 32 bit OS) the options would be to package both into a more than twice as large installer package or have the users select which one they need (and potentially have them grab 64 bit trying to install it on 32 bit) or provide a download tool that checks the platform and then downloads for the best fit. That would also mean that all 3rd party components that may only be available as binaries are available as 64 bit versions....and that may not be the case. There is no way to get 32 bit 3rd party components to work with a 64 bit app unless the source code is available and can be compiled for 64 bit. Also, testing efforts out of a sudden double because all tests need to be run against 32 bit AND 64 bit. In the end it is different code that gets executed and assuming that whatever works as 32 bit works as well as 64 bit is far too optimistic.
I am sure Flare would be available as 64 bit if it was as simple as changing a flag for the compiler, but it isn't as easy as it sounds. Also, and this is solely a personal note, running anything on Win 10 generates more headaches than necessary...not that this has anything to do with the 32/64 bit issue, it is simply that Win 10 is ridiculously buggy and definitely not fit for any production use. Avoid it at all cost.

[SteveS]

Love the story, Buck...

You can lodge a bug or enhancement request here

[Robotman]

I laughed. Then cried.

Here's just one link that discusses issues moving from 32 to 64-bit.
http://blog.smartbear.com/sqc/10-bigges ... o-64-bits/

[jackdeland]

I for one would definitely welcome any way to access more memory. I have 32 GB of RAM on my home machine </brag>, and it would be a major blessing.

[jackdeland]

BTW, there is a feature request for 64-bit: #88692

[cruitbuck]

Still in all, I'm prompted to write, MadCap's competitors, the ones who dare not speak their names, have 64 bit versions. Whining about 64 bit implications is, well, falling on deaf ears. Back in the day, numerous software companies failed because they couldn't complete a 16 bit to 32 bit port, conversion, next gen, or whatever in reasonable time.

Yes, at least let me access all the available memory on my awesome machine. BTW, this is not a tirade on the deprecation of 32 bit.

OR, better yet. Port 64 bit to Linux -- Ubunt, SUSE, Redhat, etc. (Mac if you must.)

Aside, I still have the engineers sourcing a spellcheck server for me.

Lover

[cruitbuck]

Yay for 64 bitness. Just installed Flare 12. Now for testing and seeing...

Found that the initial install of Flare 12 64 bit ran really slowly, out of the box install, first run.

For Windows 10 Enterprise, here's the solution:

1. Open the properties dialog for the Flare 12 desktop icon.
2. Select the Compatibility tab.
3. Click the Compatibility Troubleshoot button.
4. Accept the changes.
5. That should speed things up significantly.

Truth be told, I don't like being in the dark about the changes the troubleshooter made. However, it found issues and fixed them for the better.

Buck the Tech Writer

Love