> I don't really agree. A lot of applications don't actually improve going up to > 64-bit. There's also no real cost for running 32-bit apps on a 64-bit architecture. > 32-bit should be supported under 64-bit OSes for the near future, up until about the > point where API compatibility with those older apps fades out.
I agree that programs should be supported as long as CPUs have the compatibility for them (reflecting Win16 compatibility in Win9x and 32-bit NT OSes), but 32-bit operating systems themselves are well and truly at the end of their life cycle.