Apple security update breaks 64-bit applications

8/17/2005 | By Jim Dalrymple MacCentral

[Swordmaker]

Apple security update breaks 64-bit applications

A security update released on Tuesday by Apple Computer rendered 64-bit optimized applications for Mac OS X unusable. The update, which fixed many issues with the operating system, left some companies scrambling to explain to customers why their applications stopped working.

One company, Wolfram Research, contacted its customers via email to explain why their 64-bit optimized Mathematica 5.2 stopped working after users installed the Apple update.

“Due to an error on the part of Apple, this update prevents any 64-bit-native application from running,” said Wolfram in the note to customers. “In particular, this means that Mathematica 5.2 will not run on any G5 system if it has installed this Security Update.”

The note went on to say that Apple had stopped distributing the update and informed Wolfram that there is no workaround for the problem.

Wolfram gave customers a script to disable Mathematica’s 64-bit capabilities until Apple issues a new security update to rectify the problem -- the application works fine in 32-bit mode. In its note to customers, Wolfram indicated that the Apple update would be released “in the very near future.”

Apple representatives were not immediately available to comment on this story.

[Tribune7]

Whatever will the Macheads say?

oops

[SlowBoat407]

Whatever will the Macheads say?

We say, "Hmm, someone at Apple screwed up. I guess they need to... Whoops, they've already fixed it."

"Never mind".

[Tribune7]

The fact of the matter is, Hank, that many of us who are Mac users were once Microsoft Windows users . . .

Started with DOS, went to Mac. Big improvement. Was convinced to move to Windows 3.11. Big disappointment. Was convinced to try Windows 95. Big disappointment. Got an iMac. Computer life got good again.

My G4 running Tiger is superb.

I've used XP at the office & it seems OK, although there was an episode of serious spy/ad ware infection.

[js1138]

I don't remember Apple shipping anything with WDEF, but in 1998, a magazine called "MacAddict" shipped a CD-ROM containing the "AutoStart Worm".

I found a virus in a driver downloaded from 3Com.

[omniscient]

The real fact of the matter is that the vast majority of Windows users choose to remain Windows users, and are quite happy with the power and flexibility of the OS, despite occasional technical problems.

[TechJunkYard]

A security update released on Tuesday by Apple Computer rendered 64-bit optimized applications for Mac OS X unusable.

Well, damn! Has Apple been hiring Microsofties to work on these updates or what?

[antiRepublicrat]

. Once in a while a dose of humility like this intrudes on their delusions of Apple infallibility, and the yammerings of superiority subside, if only for the moment. Same goes for the Firefox fanatics.

I don't remember anyone claiming perfection, as I certainly haven't. We simply claim, with a solid factual basis, superiority.

[antiRepublicrat]

Apple users have always said "Don't jump on the upgrade bandwagon until the .1 release of any new version of the OS."

The Windows version is "Don't upgrade until at least SP1, preferably SP2 if you can wait."

[antiRepublicrat]

And of course, this miniscule market share is the main reason for Apple's vaunted "immunity" to virus attacks.

There are likely at least as many running OS X machines as there are older Mac OS machines. There are over 70 viruses for pre OS X Macs, but none for OS X.

[antiRepublicrat]

The real fact of the matter is that the vast majority of Windows users choose to remain Windows users,

The real fact of the matter is that the vast majority of Windows users don't even know there's an alternative. My neighbor is typical. The concept of another OS is alien to her -- "Windows" and "Computer" are synonymous. Likewise, the concept of running another browser is alien -- "Internet Explorer" and "Internet" are synonymous. Same for Outlook Express and email.

[SunkenCiv]

Unfortunately, no one has sufficient permissions to remove the update...

Luckily, the whole thing can be blamed on the PPC chip and its makers.

[SunkenCiv]

Heh... well put. Also I notice where the tinge of fanaticism actually can be found. (':

[Balding_Eagle]

Dang that money grubbing Bill Gates and his incompetent Micro$$oft corporation....

I think it IS Bill's fault.

Didin't he put $250 million into Apple a couple of years ago to help save it?

[antiRepublicrat]

Didin't he put $250 million into Apple a couple of years ago to help save it?

No, it was $150 million and part of the settlement of a long-standing legal battle. It didn't save Apple, since they already had $1.2 billion in cash at the time.

[TXnMA]

The real fact of the matter is that the vast majority of Windows users don't even know there's an alternative.

Behold the power of Microsoft's predatory marketing practices -- at least to the MSheeple...

[Tribune7]

If you are happy with Windows, I am happy for you.

OTOH, for a long, long time the vast majority of internet users were with AOL :-)

[mercy]

We will say that nobody is perfect. One goofup to every dozen or so from Windoze is acceptable. Plus ... how many folks do you figured this inconvenienced? 64 bit?

[CheneyChick]

The beauty of these kinds of issues is that Mac users know that a fix is usually out within 24 hours.

There was no down time for me....

So, it really is a "feature", after all.

Cheers! CC :)

[CheneyChick]

Impossible. Ask any MacMoonie - the iCult toy computers are perfect in every way.

And you? You need to grow up.

[anonymous_user]

It screwed up my system -- Mail and Safari would just "bounce" a few times and quit.

I ended up buying Tiger and installing it, which I'd planned to do, but not TODAY.