MadCap Software Forums

Has MadCap moved to 64-bit apps?

Yes, Flare 12 is labeled as 64 bit.

RamonS wrote:Yes, Flare 12 is labeled as 64 bit.

What should those of us do who are using 32-bit systems?

I'd assume that the installer contains the executables for both 32 and 64 bit. I'm installing V12 as I type and started it up. Shows as 64 bit app on my system, but that is a 64 bit Win 8.1 box. Unless you want to just go for it on 32 bit I can spin up a VM and try it out, let me know if that would be of help for you.

RamonS wrote:I'd assume that the installer contains the executables for both 32 and 64 bit. I'm installing V12 as I type and started it up. Shows as 64 bit app on my system, but that is a 64 bit Win 8.1 box. Unless you want to just go for it on 32 bit I can spin up a VM and try it out, let me know if that would be of help for you.

The problem I encountered is that the upgrade email contained links to the 64-bit versions of the apps I use. I had to contact tech support to ask them to send me links to the 32-bit versions. This adds a ton of back-and-forth to a process that was relatively quick and painless in the past.

You are right! I would have expected that the installer package includes both versions just to prevent exactly the scenario you described. I can only speculate that based on the information that MadCap has about client systems the number of 32 bit systems is small. Nevertheless, I'm sure it wouldn't kill them to add two clearly labeled download links on their download page.

RamonS wrote:You are right! I would have expected that the installer package includes both versions just to prevent exactly the scenario you described. I can only speculate that based on the information that MadCap has about client systems the number of 32 bit systems is small. Nevertheless, I'm sure it wouldn't kill them to add two clearly labeled download links on their download page.

Maybe YOU could tell them that. I'm just one guy stuck with an older system.

I just did. There may be others who have no choice than to work with hardware from Jurassic Park.

RamonS wrote:I just did. There may be others who have no choice than to work with hardware from Jurassic Park.

Many thanks, Ramon!

From the material I've read, I don't know that MadCap is creating any 32-bit installers anymore. So if you hear differently, please update this thread.

I asked and found out that MadCap wants the 32bit holdouts to contact support. Sorry, I failed.

RamonS wrote:I asked and found out that MadCap wants the 32bit holdouts to contact support. Sorry, I failed.

Wow. Putting the onus smack dab on the users. That's not cool.

When it was released yesterday, I saw in the trial d/l for Flare 12 that it said the file size was 700MB. When I downloaded it was around 350MB - perhaps there is meant to be an .exe with both. Today, the trial link explicitly states it is 64-bit and for 32-bit users to contact Madcap.

Noticed that as well and they fixed it today.

What about some of us who are using 64 bit machines (Windows 8.1) but 32 bit Flare (10.2)? It can cause an issue right? Problem is I dont think my organisation is thinking of spending on upgrade to Flare 12 currently-so what should I do?

TeSol

What issues are you expecting? If you do not move to Flare 12 your version of Flare will stay 32 bit. F10 is 'stale' anyway as in no more development is done on it. You get what you have and as long as it suits your needs feel free to use it.

Windows 64 bit will continue to run a 32 bit software product without you noticing anything different.

Using a 64-bit version of a program opens up more resources for the program to work, but running a 32-bit version will work the same on a 32-bit OS and a 64-bit OS. You shouldn't see any differences.

Thanks for explaining that to me.