JAWS does not make any specific use of Core 2 Duo technology, indeed
probably is not even aware of the processor being used at all, mostly
this is because it doesn't really need to. There are indeed very few
applications for example that are aware of multiple processor cores,
they have to be specially developed for this. Whilst an operating
system does usually know, the dvision of tasking is usually very general
indeed. Most application software titles that do use multiple processor
cores are for high end graphics, music production or video editing
applications where these cores can be kept topped up with work, even
these have only recently been developed and those are the only users who
can possibly with any certainty say they are pushing the limits of the
technology. For most of us, in terms of JAWS or a Word processor for
example the microprocessor spends most of its time idling waiting for
user input to process, info to come off hard disk/other media and
general housekeeping.
There is a general strand of argument that suggest whilst multiple cores
will eventually become useful in home and typical business desktop
computing we are no nowhere near being able produce the software that
fully exploit this capability. Many of the Core 2 Duo processors are
64bit capable whilst most of us run 32bit Windows and applications on
them now.
You might then ask well when is everything going from 32bit to 64bit
which is the more likely to happen first rather than JAWS threading
between processor cores. Even the answer to this is uncertain.
Although I cannot speak for Freedom Scientific, I have a strong inkling
that they and other developers probably do not see an immediate need
just at the moment to jump in there whilst other market segments there
will be a definite benefit in some of those areas I mentioned above who
will pay top dollar for faster results. For most people there is little
benefit in 64bit and still some pitfalls. For example if you were to
have a 64bit system and wanted to get your three or four year old inkjet
printer to work, you may find you are out of luck. Likewise with screen
readers everybody should be forewarned that none of the Access
Technology developers have anything to work on 64bit right now including
Freedom Scientific. I stress this since we have had a number of people
coming to us having brought a 64bit PC (presumably on the sales
assistants assumption that 64bit is always better than 32bit.) who are
rather upset that things aren't working. You have been warned.
I think it might be fair to say that in these darker economic times the
go faster stripes for multi-core processing and 64bit will not be driven
so hard by market apetitue for new technology, instead these
developments may make a far more gradual transition into our lives than
was initially anticipated. Windows 7.0 for example will still come in
32bit and 64bit flavours and therefore nothing is going to change
radically in the near future.
I hope that answers the question and perhaps more generally covers some
useful ground.
Regards.
Tristram Llewellyn
Sight and Sound Technology
Technical Support
www.sightandsound.co.uk
Mail:
Tristram: tristram.llewellyn@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Technical: Support@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
General - info@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Phone:
Support line: 0845 634 7979
Sight and Sound Technology Limited is a company registered in England
and Wales, with company number 1408275.
Sight and Sound Technology
Welton House North Wing
Summerhouse Road
Moulton Park
Northampton
NN3 6WD
VAT Number - GB 860 2121 66.
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