Adobe answers cries for 64-bit Flash on Linux

Starting to answer the clamorous demand from open-source fans, Adobe Systems plans to release an alpha version of its Flash Player technology on Monday for those using 64-bit Linux software.

Linux has moved more rapidly than Windows or Mac OS X to support 64-bit processors, in part because the developer-friendly compile-your-own-software ethos that prevails makes it easier for the technically savvy to make the switch. But one of the obstacles in the switch is that people could only use the 32-bit Flash plug-in, which meant that they only could use the 32-bit version of Firefox.

The company plans to release the software at its Adobe Max conference in San Francisco.

The 64-bit support will arrive on other operating systems later, Adobe said, but Linux fans get it first because they were the most vocal in their desire for it.

"Release of this alpha version of 64-bit Flash Player on Linux is the first step in delivering on Adobe's plans to make Flash Player native 64-bit across platforms," Adobe said in a statement. "We chose Linux as our initial platform in response to numerous requests in our public Flash Player bug and issue management system and the fact that Linux distributions do not ship with a 32-bit browser or a comprehensive 32-bit emulation layer by default. With this prelease, Flash Player 10 is now a full native participant on 64-bit Linux distributions. We are committed to bringing native 64-bit Flash Player to Windows and Mac in future releases. We expect to provide native support for 64-bit platforms in an upcoming major release of Flash Player. Windows, Macintosh and Linux players are expected to ship simultaneously moving forward."

Click here for more news on Adobe's Max conference.

[lodoss900]

about F**king time : )

[Mr. Dee]

How lame and irresponsible. The fact that Windows 64 bit penetration is 100 times that of 64 bit Linux should have given Adobe more reason to put Windows first with a 64 bit release of Flash release. But I understand the ulterior motive - trying to show up Silverlight. Anyway, I hope Microsoft follows suite and support 64 Bit IE and Ff.

[Mr. Dee]

@ skillingssucks:
It takes one to know one. Stop being the illiterate you are and learn something from JustinTArthur and reply in a constructive way.

[literatum]

I applaud you, Mr. Dee! That you have the maturity and open-mindedness to tip your hat to constructive criticism raises your credibility and lends gravitas to your opinions. If only the Internet were populated with more contemplative gentlemen like yourself, and fewer cranky adolescents...

[techprophet]

@Mr. Dee:

Excuse me but did you beg adobe for the past 5 years for good flash, only to end up not being able to use it because it wasn't 64bit? I didn't think so.

Yah and they probably haven't released the Windows version yet because they have to deal with Microsoft licensing etc.

[JustinTArthur]

This is fantastic news. The lack of a 64-bit Flash player was truly hindering the adoption of 64-bit operating systems on the desktop. I'm not sure where you're getting your data, Mr. Dee (previous commenter), but considering IBM and Oracle are using 64-bit Linux in enterprise consulting gigs, I find your market penetration claim a little untrustworthy.

[gr3gg0r]

@Mr. Dee:
Have you used a 64-bit version of windows? Yes, it has more market penetration. However, my laptop with 64-bit vista came pre-installed with a 64-bit and 32-bit version of internet explorer. So the issue of having a 64-bit version of flash is not nearly as big of a deal as it is for linux. This quote expresses that: "the fact that Linux distributions do not ship with a 32-bit browser or a comprehensive 32-bit emulation layer by default" .. count it a fault of linux, but nonetheless, Adobe is looking to work with the platform and not simply waiting for linux to change. Besides, ultimately, all apps will be 64-bit anyways.

Not only that, but the article here says that Linux users were more vocal about it than any other user group. They want it, so give it to them. Windows and Max users, in spite of having considerable more market share obviously don't want it nearly as much. Linux users tend to be more tech savvy so they want things like this.

Besides, have you tried flash in a 64-bit linux environment?? It SUCKS. Rather than being lame and irresponsible, Adobe is finally stepping up to the plate to make flash usable in 64-bit linux.......

Now if only they would release the source code ... then there would already be 64-bit ports for all the major platforms .... o.O

[MatthewFabb]

@gr3gg0r:
While the whole Flash Player is not open sourced, the VM (virtual machine) is open sourced and yet according to this article (http://www.kaourantin.net/2008/11/64-bits.html) Adobe has gotten zero contributions to help port the VM from 32-bit to 64-bit. Note that this is part of the Tamarin project, meaning that any contributions would not only help Adobe with the Flash Player VM, but also help Mozilla with their JavaScript VM for a 64-bit version of Firefox. Yet despite this, no one from the open source community has contributed. :(

[Tomofumi]

I am sick of those gray boxes in 64-bit firefox under ubuntu that I finally installed a 32-bit version of firefox to fix this problem. Hopefully I don't need such an arrangement anymore... How about a 64-bit plugin for adobe reader?

[eagledrc]

Thank You Adobe!!!! Is this the first step for CS on Linux?

[RompStar_420]

Flash for Power PC Linux ? PS3 ? Anytime soon ?

[ArtInvent]

I've been running Flash 10 beta on Ubuntu 8.04 64 for months. On Firefox 64. There is plenty of info on how to do do it. I think it's some kind of script that uses NDIS wrapper. It's very easy and seems to work perfectly.

I also happen to have access to a Vista 64 box. You pretty much have to open the 32 bit IE to get sites like Netflix and Napster plugins to work. And guess what? The Napster plugin for Media Player doesn't work at all! Almost all of the apps I run on Vista 64 are actually 32 bit. So yes, you lots of people may be running Vista 64 but what not really getting any advantage out of it. Whereas 98% of everything in Ubuntu is 64 bit. To me at least, it seems MS is way behind Ubuntu and the FOSS community on 64 bit adoption.

[jte17]

@ArtInvent - I appreciate what you are saying about the lack of native x64 support on many Windows-based applications. That said, I would argue that, with a few exceptions that already have 64-bit support (Photoshop and SQL), the user most likely won't care if a given process is running 32-bit or 64-bit.

I digress, *nix was chosen first as Windows 64-bit has already demonstrated strong, default, ,backwards-compatible 32-bit support.^1 That is, it was needed on Linux more seeing as Windows 64-bit users have been able to play Flash content from day one.

In such light, it makes sense for Adobe to release to Linux first. However, I think some in FOSS movement see this as a major win - and that Adobe responded /is/ a win - but that Adobe released a 64-bit version for *nix /first/ is in fact a loss: in this case it is a case of "the squeeky wheel gets the oil."

^1 "We chose Linux as our initial platform in response to numerous requests in our public Flash Player bug and issue management system and the fact that Linux distributions do not ship with a 32-bit browser or a comprehensive 32-bit emulation layer by default." -Adobe statement

[3rdalbum]

Why is everyone saying it's so difficult to get Flash Player working on 64-bit Linux? I installed Ubuntu 8.10 the other week, installed flashplugin-nonfree from the package manager, and it's been working perfectly every since. It look, like, three mouse-clicks. You don't need ndiswrapper or 32-bit Firefox, you just need the 32-bit Linux libraries that automatically get installed when you install flashplugin-nonfree.

I think maybe Adobe are trialling a 64-bit Linux version of the plugin because it's the *easiest* to get working. Just recompile. Then, I guess, they'll make a 64-bit version for Windows because it's more difficult to get working?

Now I hope Adobe answers cries for Flash on Linux. You know, the program that allows you to MAKE Flash movies.

[JunkSiu]

In Linux, the easiest way to use flash with 64-bit browser is to use nspluginwrapper (http://gwenole.beauchesne.info//en/projects/nspluginwrapper). It is stable and available in most Linux distributions.

Ok, that's nice, but how about acroread for Linux-64 while they're feeling generous...

Heff

[JunkSiu]

Actually I don't like acroread in linux as it don't play well with the cups printing system (at least a few months ago it is the case). I use evince to view pdf inside and outside the browser.

[idiotonuni]

Finally....when will they make shockwave player for linux?

[aka_tripleB]

I don't know if I'm looking foward to 64-bit Flash. Sure, I'm using 64-bit Vista Ultimate so I have longer to wait, but having a browser that doesn't have Flash is actually pretty nice. There are too many damn ads that annoy the crap out of me. I do not look foward to the day I have ads screaming at me again.