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The move from 32-bit to 64-bit will not be as compelling for users nor will
it be as difficult for developers as the move from 16-bit to 32-bit was.
16-bit software was used to having full and complete control over the
machine on which it was running. It was not unusual for software to write
to unallocated memory, read/write directly to the hard drive (without
intervention from the OS), or even rewrite it's own instruction set.
That all stopped with 32-bit software. The operating system is in control
and all applications that don't comply with the rules are terminated by the
operating system. Period. Therefore by process of elimination, all 32-bit
apps are "well-behaved" with respect to the operating system and forward
compatibilty with the next generation of 64-bit operating systems will be a
piece of cake.
>From the user's perspective, why would you want a 64-bit OS? The most
compelling answer for "high-end" users will be "because 64-bit CPU's will be
able to crunch data faster" which is a reasonable answer. But users tend to
overestimate their need for this number crunching ability and mistake pure
number crunching for application speed. The 2 are not the same thing. At
the same clock speed, cache size, system bus speed, etc., the average
application will not see that much of an increase in performance by moving
from a 32-bit to a 64-bit CPU. The reality is that TradeStation (and TSPro
and TradeLab) as they exist today are what I would classify as "average
applications". While they deal with lots of numbers with varying degrees of
precision, they are not doing weather simulations or nuclear warhead
simulations or code-breaking which are truly high-end applications that
require high-end hardware.
Another compelling reason for 64-bit operating systems is that they will be
able to address staggering amounts of memory. NT as it is today can address
something like 48 terabytes of memory. I don't have a clue how much the
64-bit OS and chip will be able to address but a reasonable estimate might
be 48TB * 4GB (4GB is equal to 32-bits). This would be a boon to large
database applications from Oracle, etc. I have one machine with 256MB of
RAM and it seems to be doing okay. I don't anticipate running out anytime
soon.
I am not even sure that the first iteration of the new 64-bit OS from
Microsoft will be targetted at consumers. It might be something like
Microsoft Site Server that starts at $10K and won't installed on machines
that aren't attached to a storage area network. Then again, Intel will want
to sell as many 64-bit chips as possible so maybe the next OS will be for
consumers.
The important thing is that when the 64-bit stuff does arrive, your 32-bit
stuff will run on it just as it does now. Recompiling the 32-bit stuff for
the 64-bit environment won't provide the same benefit that moving from
16-bit to 32-bit did.
But I'd still like to see some modern trading software at a reasonable
price.
Kent
-----Original Message-----
From: Robert Bianchi <r.bianchi@xxxxxxxxx>
To: omega-list@xxxxxxxxxx <omega-list@xxxxxxxxxx>
Date: Friday, December 08, 2000 7:39 AM
Subject: The time has arrived for Linux FreeMarket or similar
I think as private traders and companies relying on TradeStation, Omega
have arrived at the fork on the road. Omega have gone one way. Is it the
best strategy for Omega ?? Probably, YES.
Is it the best strategy for its customers and traders ?? Probably, NO.
I think the time for the reliance on Omega needs to be seriously reviewed
by all out there.
How long did it take for Omega to build a 32bit TradeStation ??? Win95
arrived in Aug 95, TS2000 arrived in April 1999. It took Omega 3.5 years to
get TS2000 out.
Well guess what fellas, the Win2000 64 bit OS and intel 64 bit chips are
gonna arrive next year. The world and the internet will move and adapt to
the new speed and that's where TradeStation.com will probably go to, BUT,
wait, what about the 16bit TS4 or the 32bit TS2000 ??? Will Billy Gates let
16 bit programs run on 64bit Win 200 OS ??? I don't know. What will happen
to them ???
Are all you traders gonna run legacy Pentium 3 600Mhz PCs for the rest of
your trading lives for the next 5 years while the rest of the world moves
faster to 64bit ??
One thing is for sure. The ONLY 64bit TradeStation you will ever see will
be TradeStation.com.
I will seriously look at Linux FreeMarket as I now know that time is of the
essence. Omega have changed their business model and I DO NOT see many
companies that make money by utilising this internet /"symantec" business
model. Symantec is one of a few but there are 1000s of web companies going
down the toilet fast. TS's enormous advantage was its backtesting
capability. The rest of TS is shit. If Omega lose this advantage with
TS.com then what ?
LINUX FREEMARKET, BRING IT ON!!!!!!
Regards,
Robert Bianchi
r.bianchi@xxxxxxxxx
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