Hi All!

Some very interesting news that just came off the wire this 
morning. This is a milestone and promises some very cool stuff
for us to play with very soon. Prepare for some serious Fun!

Warm regards,

Stu Sjouwerman


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Win64 now runs on 64-bit Intel Merced!

Intel and Microsoft Have Hit a Key Milestone for Delivery of 
64-bit Hardware and Software Next Year

Today, Microsoft and Intel announced that the 64-bit Windows(R) 
O/S is booting and running on engineering prototype systems 
based on Intel's Merced processor. Successfully running 64-bit 
Windows on the initial Merced processors represents a key milestone 
for both Intel and Microsoft in the development of a complete 
64-bit architecture.

Intel demonstrated 64-bit Windows running on a Merced processor-
based system at their Intel Developers Forum. The Merced processor 
incorporates extensive multiprocessing scalability, new high 
availability features, powerful floating-point extensions, and 
multimedia specific instructions. 

The Merced chip is also more scalable, robust and supports Large
Memory for 64-bit Windows. That means you are getting very close
to very big 'mini' or small mainframe enterprise class solutions.
But wouldn't it be cool to have a puppy like that on your desk?
You can do some pretty intensive high-end graphics, and high 
performance multimedia with that kind of power.


[!PR-hype Alert!]
"We are very pleased with the outstanding progress Microsoft 
has made on the development of their 64-bit Windows operating 
system for Intel's Merced processor," said Albert Yu, senior 
vice president, general manger, Intel's Microprocessor Products 
Group. "Having 64-bit Windows running on our first IA-64 processor 
will provide a solid foundation for e-business applications when 
the Merced processor moves into production next year." 

"The amazing results delivered by Intel's Merced design team along 
with our 64-bit Windows operating system will provide enterprise 
customers with the capabilities they need for scalable, high 
performance business computing solutions in an increasingly 
Internet-based world," said Jim Allchin, senior vice president of 
the Platforms Group, Microsoft. 
[Alert Off]


How About Compatibility?

Microsoft's 64-bit Windows operating system will maintain backward 
compatibility with current applications since both the 32-bit Windows 
2000 family and 64-bit Windows use a common source code base and 
share the same programming model. Independent software vendors and 
line of business application developers are already prepared to 
take advantage of 64-bit Windows and Intel's IA-64 architecture by 
using the Windows 2000 Software Developer Kit (SDK) and Windows 
2000 Device Driver Kit (DDK) which is available now. Applications 
written with current versions of the SDK and DDK can easily be 
recompiled to optimally run in the 64-bit Windows environment since 
both products share common source code. 

When can we get our hot little hands on it? 

Microsoft is committed to releasing a beta version of 64-bit 
Windows in the first half of 2000, and expects to release 64-bit 
Windows, production developer tools and key BackOffice applications 
(e.g., Microsoft SQL Server) with commercial Merced systems 
available later next year. Final system requirements, pricing and 
packaging will be announced separately. 
---------------

Allright! Despite my 20 years in the industry I'm still not tired
and I just LOVE these kind of new developments. You can bet your
boots that a small army of people has been working their butts off
for a couple of years. You have no idea how much blood, sweat, tears 
and personal sacrifices go into a challenging project like this. But
it looks they made it go right. Very well done.

Anyway, I can't wait to get my hands on one of these systems!

That's all for now, see you later :-)

(email me with feedback: [email protected])