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More bits make better software?
Its been with us for six months now, and despite its much publicised teething problems, Microsoft's Windows 95 has definitely taken root in the PC jungle.
A number of, Windows 95-only programs are appearing which will not run on the old Windows version 3.1. Such products mainly emanate from the Microsoft stable and include serious applications such as the latest release of Word, Access and Excel, as well as fun programs such as Cinemania 96.
The reason is that Windows 95 is what the boffins call a 32 bit operating system. This means that it handles 32 bits of data are simultaneously, whereas the old Windows 3.1 was only a 16 bit system.
Windows 95 will run both old 16 bit programs and 32 bit programs. However, the new 32 bit programs will only run on a 32 bit operating system. Moreover, you need a powerful PC to run 95 effectively, with at least 8 Mb RAM, although 16 Mb is rapidly becoming the standard memory configuration for new Windows 95 machines.
So what advantage does this new generation of seemingly fussy software offer the poor old punter?
The first thing you notice about the latest version of Word is its array of smart features, such as the spell checker that underlines misspelt words in red, as you type them.
Naturally, 32 bit applications running on a 32 bit operating system are faster. Many 32 bit programs look identical to their 16 bit cousins.
The full version of JASC's leading shareware painting and photograph editing package Paint Shop Pro ships with both the 16 and 32 bit versions on the same set of disks. When you install it, the set up program installs the version most appropriate to your computer.
However there are problems. Some 32 bit applications write files that cannot be read by 16 bit versions. For example, the browser files created by the 32 bit version of Paint Shop Pro will make the 16 bit version crash if you attempt to read them with it!
The new generation of 32 bit CD ROMs are self installing. For example, to set up Music Central, you simply load the CD into your computer, and it automatically copies any files your PC needs, without the user having to do anything. Then, it plays, all by itself! -Spooky!.
Whilst rumours are rife concerning bug fixes for Windows 95, Microsoft denies all knowledge of any new release of Windows 95 on disk. Instead, its UK PR company is keen to sing the praises of Microsoft's Internet service.
You can download bug fixes, free software and loads of useful Microsoft information on...
http://www.microsoft.com/windows
This web site includes loads of helper programs and bug fixes, for Windows 95, including a nifty little program which will give your computer a health check to make sure it is up to running Windows 95.
