x64 Support

You biggest competition is Memeo

http://www.memeo.com
from Stardock Forums
Hello there Stardock!

I am extreamly impressed with your company philosophy and would love to support you and reffer people to your products... But I have one BIG question...

What products of yours will run on Windowx XP x64? Specifially, will there be x64 support for KeepSafe?

As you know, the push to 64 bit computing is slow. But Microsoft has laid a roadmap for Vista which is leaving 32 bit computing behind. For example, Apple has moved over to the Intel architecture, but they do not have a standard BIOS like PCs do. The 64 bit version of Vista will support the installation onto Apple hardware (not at release) while Microsoft has decided to not extend this option to the 32 bit users of Vista.

I am running x64 and I have 3 licenses of Memeo AutoBackup (one of your competitors) which is planning to create a x64 version (Unfortunetly they did not say their software would not work on the x64 platform before I purchased it). So I am sitting on these licenses. I would love to trust my backup to Stardock's KeepSafe as Stardock makes some great, stable, programs. Please inform all of use x64 users that Stardock will support us! x64 is extreamly fast, extreamly stable (built on the Server 2003 core) and allows me to run more than 2GB of memory on my workstatation (the /3GB flag in the boot.ini breaks alot of programs).

The only reason that KeepSafe may not be able to support x64 right away is if you are using any drivers to facilitate the backup. If you are not using your own drivers, then you can rely on WOW64 (32 bit emulator built into Windows) becuase it does a pretty good job.

Well that is my shpeel. I hope that KeepSafe will have planned support for x64. I have been telling the people complaining about the lack of x64 support in Memeo to keep an eye on KeepSafe. Please don't let us down

Thank you,
Daren
keepsafe
14,516 views 6 replies
Reply #1 from WinCustomize Forums Top

I believe the current version of KeepSafe will run on x64, but will only impact files saved by 32 bit apps.  So anything saved in office will be handled, but anything saved by the 64 bit notepad will not.  The explorer properties page will also not appear as that needs to be 64 bit.  The trial version should be able to confirm this.

Quite a few of our applications already have 64 bit versions.  WindowBlinds, Multiplicity & WindowFX are three examples.

Regarding the apple machines, the current intel based apples have 32 bit chips and so will not ever run a 64 bit OS.  I suspect apple will be moving to the new Core 2 chips which do support 64 bit very soon.

Reply #2 from Stardock Forums Top

I highly agree, Apple will most likely jump on the Core 2 bandwagon. They are desperate to find something to replace the G5.

I really appreciate the reply. I am happy to finally find a software developer whose answer is not "We are not planning any x64 implementation." or "x64 Implementation is on our list, and we have no ETA on when it will be available".

My main concern is the following:

Does keepsafe use a custom driver programmed by stardock, and if so, is it forcibly installed or is it installed using the build in API/Windows Mechanisms?

The reason for this question is that if a driver is used and forcibly installed then it could crash the system. If a driver is not used then I don;t think I will have any issues installing the demo.

I just recently discovered Stardock by an Impulse purchase of GalCiv 2 (after I could not download the demo from Download.com... it would die half way through) and loved it. Stardock Central is a phenominal piece of software which has a great advertising value as it shows me the software you create, allows for me to download it right from SD Central, and even purchase if I like it. I also love the fact that you do not use DRM on your games. DRM is very unfair against the consumer. You will find (if you have not already) that trusting the consumer to make a correct and ethical decision will provide you with a higher level or respect right out of the gate.

Didn't mean to get off topic, if you could answer the driver question I would be much appreciated.

Thank you.
Fences - Organize your desktop icons today!
Reply #3 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I just recently discovered Stardock


Welcome aboard!

If you use two PCs (and in the near future PC and Mac) make sure to check out Multiplicity. If you want to change your GUI, take a look at Windowblinds. Just look at everything!!   
Reply #4 from Stardock Forums Top

Any plan to make a true x64 version anytime soon? Please!!!

Reply #5 from Stardock Forums Top

It is unlikely that the cost of making a full 64 bit version would be recovered from increased sales.

Reply #6 from Stardock Forums Top

This is frustrating to see.  I just found Stardock and Multiplicity while looking for a multi-PC app.  Looking at your other products, I was very interested in KeepSafe.  Unfortunately, 2 of my 3 main computers run 64-bit Vista and Windows 7.  With what appears to be inconsistent (no, that's not right, more like consistently incomplete) support for backing up files in a 64-bit OS environment, I guess I'll have to look to other methods that will work across all of my Windows systems.  Too bad.