I recently wrote about buying a new APA template for Word 2010 from Reference Point Software. The template works great even in the 64-bit version of Word 2010 I am using. I have used an APA template from Reference Point Software since 2002 for Word XP, 2003, 2008 for the Mac, and now 2010. Of all of the versions (XP and 2003 were essentially the same) the Word 2010 version seems to be the best and easiest to use. The template integrates into the accursed Ribbon (which I have grown to accept now that it is customizable) and this makes using the template easier to use. In previous versions of the template for Word for Windows a menu called APA was added to Word and the options were accessible from this menu. Now a tab is created with its own ribbon interface making all the commands easier to see all at once and easier to use.

If you have a need for using an APA or MLA template, I highly recommend checking out the templates from Reference Point Software. This company was recommended to me in my first Master’s class and I cannot thank my instructor enough for suggesting them.

So I purchase a new computer with 64-bit Windows 7 and, with Office 2010 coming out with both 32 and 64-bit versions, I am thinking 64-bit is the way to go. Why would I want to run 32-bit software on a 64-bit OS if there is a 64-bit version available? iTunes makes you run its 64-bit version on 64-bit Windows. So I load 64-bit Office 2010.

However, in both Windows IT Pro magazine and PC World the writers say you should run the 32-bit version of Office 2010 even on 64-bit Windows. Windows IT Pro said some add-ons might not work with 64-bit Office and PC World said Microsoft even said unless you need to open very large spreadsheets or project files, stick with 32-bit Office. I am confused. If Microsoft wants most people to use 32-bit Office, then why even make 64-bit Office? Microsoft is forcing the server market to go 64-bit, first with Exchange and now with Windows Server. It seems logical you would release both versions of Office, like Microsoft has done, but recommend 64-bit OS users to use 64-bit Office. Eventually add-ons will catch up as more people run 64-bit Office

The only big add-on I use is an APA template for Word made by Reference Point Software. I have asked them if it is compatible with Word 2010 64-bit and will post the answer when I receive it.

Otherwise, I don’t see any issues with using Office 2010 64-bit. One thing I just read, though, is that if you load Office 2010 64-bit, any other Office programs you load (like Visio, Project, etc.) must also be 64-bit. If I run into any issues, I will post a follow-up.

I have been preparing to play some games on my XP VM that was a physical to virtual machine on VMware Fusion. One hurdle was getting Age of Mythology working which I have already posted about. The next was to see if I can use a joystick to play some flight sims. I have X-Wing Alliance loaded and just picked up Red Baron Pack on sale from GOG.com. Red Baron was a DOS game (they included dosbox to run it) but Red Baron 3D supported Direct 3D and the graphics do not look too bad so I will give that one a try. I plugged in a Logitech Wingman USB joystick and that sucker popped right up. I had no problems running the calibration wizard in control panel. Next thing – fire up a game and get some kills.

XP Mode was introduced in Windows 7 as a way to help businesses migrate without losing the ability to run some of their applications. A pre-made XP virtual machine was created by Microsoft and could be installed with Virtual PC to run it on Windows 7 Professional, Enterprise, and Ultimate. Unfortunately, XP Mode required that the PCs CPU supported hardware virtualization. Microsoft recently decided to drop this requirement and issued a new patch that is installed after XP Mode and Virtual PC are installed on a computer. Go to the Download Windows XP Mode page for more information. (I had some trouble seeing the download buttons under FireFox 3.5 because the page said I was missing plug-ins, but IE worked just fine of course).