For those wondering, I am running the 32-bit edition of Windows 7. I did this primarily for application compatibility above all else.

The first response from those who are familiar with 64-bit environments are quick to say, "But you can run 32-bit apps in a 64-bit environment easily."

That’s not always the case.

Running certain 32-bit apps in 64-bit environments can present itself to be a problem no matter what OS you use. For example, many Mac people use Photoshop. All new Macs are 64-bit. But Adobe does not have a 64-bit edition for the Mac. Photoshop still runs fine but doesn’t take full advantage of the 64-bit environment. It also ticked off Mac users something fierce that Photoshop 64-bit will be for Windows first. And if I were a Mac user that would perturb me quite a bit as well.

Per conversations I’ve had with a few folks running Windows Vista or 7 64-bit, two particular types of platforms have exhibited some quirks, also both from Adobe.

The first one is Adobe AIR. It would appear AIR doesn’t "play nice" in 64-bit world except for Linux currently. But on Windows 64-bit, AIR is something which may or may not work. So if you wanted to run AIR apps like Twhirl or TweetDeck on Vista 64 or Win 7 64, it might not even be possible presently.

Did you get Adobe AIR running on Windows Vista or 7 64-bit along with your favorite AIR apps? Let us know in the comments.

The second is a biggie, Adobe Flash. Some I’ve conversed with say Flash runs fine on 64-bit while others say it’s "tolerable" at best.

Did you get Adobe Flash running on your 64-bit Windows Vista or 7? Let us know in the comments on this one too as many would love to hear your experience.

Most people could live without AIR, but as for Flash, there are tons of web sites that simply require it. And going without Flash would be trying on the nerves to many.

Yes, this is a retro article, but with a modern twist.

The Commodore 64 is to date the best-selling computer of all time and hasn’t been topped. An all too common item to be seen next to the C64 was the 1541 floppy disk drive. This actually was in fact more than just a disk drive. It was a computer because it did contain a microprocessor (this one, in fact).

Everybody knows what USB is. Everything connects to it. Keyboards, mice, printers, digital cameras, network devices (wired or wireless), lights, humping dogs, you name it..

However the one thing that has never existed is a 5¼-inch USB floppy drive. Oh sure, you can get the 3½-inch USB version easily, but no 5¼ is to be found; it doesn’t exist.

Being that there are mountains of old C64 software out there that people are looking to archive, a USB solution was needed for the old 1541 5¼-inch drive. And wouldn’t you know it, someone built one.

The xum1541 is an actual home-brew solution for the Commodore 1541 that will allow it to interface to a PC via USB.

Here it is in action:

This, dear friends, is true computer hacking. If it doesn’t exist, build it. Hopefully this will be made into a for-sale product later on as I’m sure there are many C64 owners who would love to be able to back up their piles and piles of disks with a simple adapter like the xum.

Hey, if they could make an Apple II Ethernet Module, anything is possible, right?