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Machine Types

Computer hardware has progressed since the days of the first personal computers, over thirty years ago.

We have progressed from

• 8-bit systems (can "count" up to 255) through

• 16-bit systems (can "count" up to 65,535) through

• 32-bit systems (can "count" up to 4,294,967,295) through

• 64-bit systems (can "count" up to 18,446,744,073,709,600,000)

Which is where we are now.

If you buy a new computer today, chances are that it will be a 64-bit system (hardware & software).

Trouble is most of the software written for the 16-bit and 8-bit systems won't work on your new system.

By and large the 32-bit software will work.

For my means I strive to find a happy medium, so when I see that Ubuntu is available in 32-bit form, I'm inclined to try that version in the hopes that it will work on my new 64-bit systems and on my old 32-bit systems.

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