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Mozilla Dropping 64-Bit Windows Nightly Builds For Now

Posted by Unknown on from the posted-from-64-bit-linux-firefox dept.

hypnosec writes "Plans for 64-bit Firefox for Windows have been put on hold by Mozilla in a bid to concentrate more on the 32-bit version. Eliminating the 64-bit nightly builds was proposed by Benjamin Smedberg, a Firefox developer, last week. Some of the reasons Smedberg cited include missing plugins for 64-bit version; lack of windowproc hooking which facilitates smooth functioning of whatever plugins are available; and the inability to work on the crash reports submitted for the 64-bit versions because they were not on high priority. The proposal, it seems, has been accepted as is evident from this bug report." The bug tracking system seems unable to differentiate between 64-bit and 32-bit builds, causing a few issues since Windows 64-bit builds are much buggier. They also intend to reintroduce 64-bit Windows nightlies some time next year.

7 of 224 comments (clear)

  1. Not much point in 64 bits here by KiloByte · · Score: 1, Informative

    Since Windows doesn't have pure 64 bit versions, there is little reason to insist on 64 bit Firefox. Unlike most other systems, almost all libraries have to be compiled into Firefox anyway so better ABI doesn't win you much, and going 64 bit has a significant memory cost -- for typical C++ code, around 33% extra.

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    The creatures outside looked from Alt-Right to Antifa; but already it was impossible to say which was which.
  2. Re:FireFox - the browser for people who want less. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Informative

    Only for people who buy into propaganda like yours. It's still the most stable, feature-rich, and fastest browser out there. Of the two major alternatives, IE is slow and buggy, and Chrome, while flashy and boasting a much smaller footprint, has compatibility and stability issues. Most of the flak FF gets is just the kind of trash-talk that comes with being best-of-breed, and anyone who not only agrees with it but also repeats it is going above and beyond the call of stupid.

  3. Firefox + 64bits = Waterfox by mZHg · · Score: 3, Informative

    If you want a 64bits version of Firefox, use Waterfox :)
    http://www.waterfoxproject.org/

  4. Re:YAY !! DEATH BY A THOUSAND CUTS !! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Informative

    There's no 64-bit Chrome, so this is a moot point.

  5. Re:Dear Computer Programmers: Why do this? by pe1rxq · · Score: 3, Informative

    If you use the right types in C there is no problem at all.
    No endless if statements needed.
    However the world is filled with idiots who mix integer and pointer types.

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  6. Re:Switching to Chrome by Anaerin · · Score: 4, Informative

    Sorry, but Chrome is x86, not x86_64, and thus only 32-bit. The process isolation it uses means that each tab can access 2GB of memory, but the program (and the plugins) are 32-bit. The only 64-bit browsers are Opera, IE and (up until now) FireFox.

  7. Re:Switching to Chrome by Nimey · · Score: 3, Informative

    You can still get 64-bit Firefox. It's called Waterfox and tends to lag behind the official version a bit, but it's there.

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