Windows XP 64 version of Outpost...Please

[Xee]

Since I cant see it in this section... I will add this post here... as I know quite a few people would like this. Plus it would be good for Agnitum to have a a 64bit version as a alot of servers run win2k3

[N30N]

I am runing also runing windows XP 64-bit & currently looking for descent 64-bit firewall.

[OPFuser]

afaik, tiny firewall is the only 64-bit firewall right now, but personally i see no hurry to go to winxp x64.

[XSwiftX]

Longhorn is 64bit and is aimed for a 2006 release. Many new computers with 64bit chips are shipping with XP64. Sooner or later everyone is going to have to go to 64bit so why not do it now and get a jump on the competition?

[Rook]

There are a couple of problems here. One is that Outpost is not intended to be run on servers - it's meant to be run on workstations. Secondly, there's a chicken-and-egg problem. There aren't that many people running 64-bit operating systems right now, which makes developing a viable product for that market very difficult - it's hard to make something designed for a very limited user base.

I suspect that a 64-bit version of Outpost will eventually be made, but probably not until a critical mass of users are using 64-bit operating systems.

[AlCapone]

Originally Posted by Rook

I suspect that a 64-bit version of Outpost will eventually be made, but probably not until a critical mass of users are using 64-bit operating systems.

By any chance, did you ever think about that this "critical mass" og awaiting users never will be achieved... because they change to competitors that alredy compiled an 64bit version ?

it looks to me like an effective way to loose market shares...

[chrisclu]

There goes the 1/2 %. Do you think Agnitum will go broke?
Trying to make Outpost backward compatable is not as easy as making hardware backward compatible.
If Agnitum were to change Outpost to 64 bit now, they would be helping the 1/2% that have 64 bit OS's and Proceccers and losing the 99 1/2 % of customers on 32 bit. Not a great trade off in my book.

[Xee]

Well Iam now currently using Windows XP x64 (I was not when I first posted), and its great! I feel Agnitum should at least make some official statement that they are indeed working on or going to release a win64 version at some stage. As this lets users and potential users know that this company is on the ball, and on the leading edge. Im not happy with some companies that seem to be dragging there feet, which has left me with unuseable hardware or software, I just simply will not be buying from them again.

As some posters have already mentioned it would be to Agnitum's advantage to get ahead of the comptition and get all the bugs ironed out. Otherwise I will be using the first decent win64 software firewall that comes along (I hope its Outpost as I think it excellent ) Especially as there are lots of people searching for any software that is compatible with win64, Outpost could make a name for itself, and be posted on the compatible software websites

Just my 2 cents

[OPFuser]

Originally Posted by chrisclu

There goes the 1/2 %. Do you think Agnitum will go broke?
Trying to make Outpost backward compatable is not as easy as making hardware backward compatible.
If Agnitum were to change Outpost to 64 bit now, they would be helping the 1/2% that have 64 bit OS's and Proceccers and losing the 99 1/2 % of customers on 32 bit. Not a great trade off in my book.

if outpost ever goes 64-bit shouldnt it be made to include both the 32-bit and 64-bit drivers? im sure it wouldnt increase the installers size too much and u wont lose customers.

[Rook]

It's easy to say that Agnitum should support 32-bit and 64-bit versions of Outpost, but it's much harder to implement in practice. The development resources for Outpost are limited, and pouring those resources into a 64-bit version when there is not yet a significant demand for one is probably not a wise business decision. That said, once 64-bit operating systems become more widespread, it'll probably make more sense to develop a 64-bit version of Outpost.

Personally, I think it'll be at least a few years before 64-bit OSs are more common than 32-bit ones.

[chrisclu]

Thanks Rook,
Agnitum has said the same.
Chris

[XSwiftX]

Stick your head in the sand if you wish. Windows Vista is already beta testing and IT IS 64BIT. Instead of getting ahead of the game Agnitum will wait until it is behind the competition and lose out. What better advertising could you get then to announce a 64bit version that will be ready for Windows Vista?

Sounds like my next firewall purchase will have to be with another company.....

[Rook]

While Windows Vista may be in beta testing, it's not likely to reach a "release" stage for at least a few years. If you want to sent the suggestion directly to Agnitum, please do so - the more people that make the suggestion, the more likely it'll be implemented sooner. As I said previously in this thread, it's not likely that Agnitum will expend precious resources developing a product for a platform until there is a critical mass of users for that platform.

One could make the argument that Agnitum should make a version of Outpost for the Macintosh, or for Linux, or for any number of other platforms. It all comes down to a business decision on the part of Agnitum.

[Xee]

Mac's and Linux dont need a extra firewall they come with adequate firewalls already! However in my opinion Windows does not have a adequate firewall, which is why Outpost is so useful.

Surely Agnitum/Outpost read their own forums? That is the whole point I'm posting here on their forum. So that they can see that users (or should I say potential users - as I no long a user anymore!) want a 64bit version of Outpost.

Windows XP x64 (OEM) is final already, Windows Vista Beta1 (aka Longhorn), is out now aswell, and should be final next year. Why would Agnitum/Outpost want to wait 2/3 years? That just seems totally crazy to me!

I also agree with XSwiftX's point:

What better advertising could you get then to announce a 64bit version that will be ready for Windows Vista?

...or even better NOW for Windows XP x64! Or at least ready to roll when Windows Vista is Final.

developing a product for a platform until there is a critical mass of users for that platform.

Plus Windows XP only reached 50% in may 2004

[Rook]

Originally Posted by Xee

Mac's and Linux dont need a extra firewall they come with adequate firewalls already! However in my opinion Windows does not have a adequate firewall, which is why Outpost is so useful.

It sounds like you're saying that it doesn't make sense to produce a commercial firewall for Mac or Linux because there wouldn't be enough users to purchase one and make it a profitable venture.

Originally Posted by Xee

Surely Agnitum/Outpost read their own forums? That is the whole point I'm posting here on their forum.

Yes, Agnitum staff do occasionally read these forums, but these aren't "their" forums. These forums aren't operated by Agnitum directly - they're administrered and moderated by a number of Outpost users, who in turn relay concerns voiced by users to Agnitum.

I've added the suggestion to develop a 64-bit version of Outpost to the "firewall suggestions" poll which is a sticky in this forum. The suggestions that are most voted on are the ones that get relayed to Agnitum for potential inclusion in future versions of Outpost. Any user that has already voted on the poll can send me a PM and I'll manually add their vote (because you can't vote on a poll twice).