A.5. Acceptable Versions of Windows®?
Syscob applications for Australian exporters have the following fundamental characteristics:
- They include a Win32 DataFlex DBMS, its runtime modules and native Win32 executables.
- Application folders are in root directory of drive letters — not devices.
- Every user has an application “seat” folder that is theirs alone.
- Windows® version must be intended for “business” use (i.e. not “Home” editions).
The last is a critical constraint. Since the release of Windows Vista Microsoft has adopted a pricing strategy that strips some business functionality out of its lowest cost versions of Windows® (to enhance income from its bread-and-butter income source: companies). This forces a higher license fee on users who wish to operate in a business environment since it prevents use of “Home” editions for the distributed applications common to most business environments. And it prevents use of Syscob distributed applications.
Syscob Windows® Environments
Syscob applications can be installed and used on any of the following Windows® versions:
| Win9x VERSIONS | WinNT VERSIONS |
| Windows 95, 98, 98SE, ME | Windows NT4, 2000, XP, Vista, 7, 2008, 2011, 8 and later |
For Windows® versions that are no longer supported by Microsoft, i.e. Windows XP and earlier, the last released Service Pack must be applied (e.g. SP6a for NT4, SP4 for 2000 or SP3 for XP). For currently supported versions, 7 and later, Syscob recommends the latest Service Pack, but does not require that it be applied. For Vista, and later, “Home” or “Basic” versions are not accepatble.
For an emulated environment, such as on Apple products since the Macintosh™ or Unix™ or Linux, the version of Windows® running in the virtual environment has the same requirements as above.
Either 32 bit or 64 bit Edition
Syscob applications can be installed in any Windows® environment that supports either the native “Win32” APIs or the “Win32-on-Win64” [WoW64] APIs. Meaning virtually every 64 bit Windows® version, excepting “Home” editions and a few specialized Server editions.
Use on Virtual PC Emulators
Very few Windows® versions require the use of a “virtual machine” [VM] for installation of Syscob applications (only versions lacking both “Win32” and “WoW64” APIs). However, some sites and some users may prefer to use a VM for “legacy” applications or to preserve a specific User Interface [UI] paradigm. In such cases almost any VM acceptable to their environment (Oracle VirtualBox™ or Microsoft VirtualPC™ or XP Mode on Windows 7 or others) can be used to install Syscob applications — provided the application “sees” an acceptable API suite in the VM. For example, XP Mode on Windows 7 actually installs Windows XP SP3 within the “Microsoft Virtual PC” that it uses.
For any questions related to installatiion of Syscob software on a specific Windows® version or edition please send an email to support@syscob.com.au with the specific version and edition being considered. The reply to such queries will indicate if that is practical and also include any tips or suggestions for use in that environment.