The Neat Company Forums

I just bought a new Toshiba Laptop which came pre-loaded with Vista x64.   It has also rendered my Neat Receipts useless. I liked the product a lot  (when I could use it) but it now is collecting dust.

I've just purchased Neat Receipts 3.0 and am very disappointed that none of my traveling consultants can use this product.  Like most technology businesses, we rely on leading edge hardware and software.

 It is very unfortunate that Neat Receipts does not support a widely-used operating system, like Vista Business x64...
 

I lately inquired about the availability of x64 and here is the response.

 

Customer (Henry Cholakyan) - 05/17/2008 01:26 PM     

When will you start supporting 64 bit  Vista or XP? Does your current software and driver work on 32bit mode in 64bit environment?

 

Response (Matt Toth) - 05/18/2008 12:52 PM     

Henry,

We do not have any plans to support 64 bit in the near future. Your OS has to be 32 bit in order for it to work.

Thanks,

Matt

 

jburk:

Greetings!

We’ve been very busy in development over the past several months preparing for the release of NEAT Receipts versions 2.8 and 3.0, and we’re all looking forward to delivering this software to our customers!

As we get ready to deliver these products, I wanted to take a moment to address some common questions about the different editions of Windows Vista; the difference between 32-bit and 64-bit versions; and which versions of Windows Vista will be supported with the upcoming release of NEAT Receipts 2.8 and 3.0.

What is Windows Vista?

Windows Vista is the next generation of the Microsoft Windows operating system and the successor to Windows XP.  Vista contains hundreds of new and reworked features; some of the most significant include an updated graphical user interface and visual style dubbed Windows Aero; improved searching features; new multimedia creation tools such as Windows DVD Maker; and completely redesigned networking, audio, print, and display sub-systems. Vista also aims to increase the level of communication between computers on a home network using peer-to-peer technology, making it easier to share files and digital media between computers and devices.

With the release of Vista, Microsoft hopes to improve the state of security in the Windows operating system by addressing the commonly exploited security vulnerabilities and overall susceptibility to malware, viruses and buffer overflows that had affected Windows XP.

What’s with all the editions of Windows Vista?

Microsoft feels that different computer users require different operating system features, and so it has decided to offer multiple editions of Windows Vista, each oriented toward the needs of specific types of customers.

The most common versions of Windows Vista are:

Windows Vista Home Basic

Windows Vista Home Basic is ideal for homes with basic computing needs like e-mail, browsing the Internet, and viewing photos. Easy to set up and maintain, it enables you to quickly find what you're looking for on your PC and the Internet, while providing a more secure environment to help protect you from an unpredictable world.

Windows Vista Home Premium

Windows Vista Home Premium is the preferred edition for home desktop and mobile PCs. It provides a breakthrough design that brings your world into sharper focus while delivering the productivity, entertainment, and security you need from your PC at home or on the go.

 Windows Vista Business

Windows Vista Business is the first edition of Windows designed specifically to meet the needs of small businesses. You'll spend less time on technology support-related issues, so you can spend more time making your business successful. Windows Vista Business is the definitive choice for your business today and tomorrow.

Windows Vista Ultimate

Windows Vista Ultimate is the choice for those who want to have it all. Easily shift between the worlds of productivity and play with the most complete edition of Windows Vista. Ultimate provides the power, security, and mobility features needed for work, and all the entertainment features that you want for fun.

So what is 64-bit all about?

With the gaining popularity of 64-bit chipsets and processors, many users now have the ability to run either 64-bit versions (x64) or 32-bit versions (x86) of software and operating systems. There are some benefits to running 64-bit software, most notably:

·         The 64-bit CPUs can handle more memory and larger files because 64 bits provides a larger address space, which means you can address more memory. 

·         64-bit carries twice as much data.

Microsoft has made 64-bit editions of Windows Vista available for all editions of Windows Vista listed above.

As advertised by Microsoft, the 64-bit editions of Windows Vista are for serious computer users who have advanced high-performance needs and who are running a computer system with a 64-bit processor. These editions combine Windows Vista innovation with cutting-edge PC hardware to deliver access to vast amounts of memory, stronger security, and a new level of reliability.

In the business world, Windows Vista 64-bit editions are ideal for engineering (CAD/CAM) work, digital content creation, scientific and technical computing, and even demanding financial analysis, all on computer systems with 64-bit processors.

In the consumer market, Windows Vista 64-bit editions are ideal for serious gamers, high-quality media creators, and enthusiasts who demand the most from digital media and who are running computer systems with 64-bit processors.

The 64-bit editions of Windows Vista are not for everyone, and require a system with a 64-bit processor and 64-bit system drivers.

What editions and versions of Windows Vista will work with NEAT Receipts versions 2.8 and 3.0?

The initial release of both 2.8 and 3.0 will work on the most common 32-Bit (x86) editions of Vista. 

 

The good news is that the major PC manufacturers (Dell, HP, etc.) all ship with the 32-bit versions of Vista on the machines that they sell by default.  If you have recently purchased a computer that runs Windows Vista, you are most likely running a 32-bit version of Vista unless you uninstalled the operating system and installed a 64-bit version on the machine,.

I want to assure our advanced users who have expressed interest in a 64-bit version of NEAT Receipts that we are very excited about the benefits of 64-bit Vista and 64-bit architecture, and are carefully considering your requests as we look ahead to future versions of NEAT Receipts.

Enthusiastically,

Jeffrey Burk

VP Technology

jburk:

Greetings!

We’ve been very busy in development over the past several months preparing for the release of NEAT Receipts versions 2.8 and 3.0, and we’re all looking forward to delivering this software to our customers!

As we get ready to deliver these products, I wanted to take a moment to address some common questions about the different editions of Windows Vista; the difference between 32-bit and 64-bit versions; and which versions of Windows Vista will be supported with the upcoming release of NEAT Receipts 2.8 and 3.0.

What is Windows Vista?

Windows Vista is the next generation of the Microsoft Windows operating system and the successor to Windows XP.  Vista contains hundreds of new and reworked features; some of the most significant include an updated graphical user interface and visual style dubbed Windows Aero; improved searching features; new multimedia creation tools such as Windows DVD Maker; and completely redesigned networking, audio, print, and display sub-systems. Vista also aims to increase the level of communication between computers on a home network using peer-to-peer technology, making it easier to share files and digital media between computers and devices.

With the release of Vista, Microsoft hopes to improve the state of security in the Windows operating system by addressing the commonly exploited security vulnerabilities and overall susceptibility to malware, viruses and buffer overflows that had affected Windows XP.

What’s with all the editions of Windows Vista?

Microsoft feels that different computer users require different operating system features, and so it has decided to offer multiple editions of Windows Vista, each oriented toward the needs of specific types of customers.

The most common versions of Windows Vista are:

Windows Vista Home Basic

Windows Vista Home Basic is ideal for homes with basic computing needs like e-mail, browsing the Internet, and viewing photos. Easy to set up and maintain, it enables you to quickly find what you're looking for on your PC and the Internet, while providing a more secure environment to help protect you from an unpredictable world.

Windows Vista Home Premium

Windows Vista Home Premium is the preferred edition for home desktop and mobile PCs. It provides a breakthrough design that brings your world into sharper focus while delivering the productivity, entertainment, and security you need from your PC at home or on the go.

 Windows Vista Business

Windows Vista Business is the first edition of Windows designed specifically to meet the needs of small businesses. You'll spend less time on technology support-related issues, so you can spend more time making your business successful. Windows Vista Business is the definitive choice for your business today and tomorrow.

Windows Vista Ultimate

Windows Vista Ultimate is the choice for those who want to have it all. Easily shift between the worlds of productivity and play with the most complete edition of Windows Vista. Ultimate provides the power, security, and mobility features needed for work, and all the entertainment features that you want for fun.

So what is 64-bit all about?

With the gaining popularity of 64-bit chipsets and processors, many users now have the ability to run either 64-bit versions (x64) or 32-bit versions (x86) of software and operating systems. There are some benefits to running 64-bit software, most notably:

·         The 64-bit CPUs can handle more memory and larger files because 64 bits provides a larger address space, which means you can address more memory. 

·         64-bit carries twice as much data.

Microsoft has made 64-bit editions of Windows Vista available for all editions of Windows Vista listed above.

As advertised by Microsoft, the 64-bit editions of Windows Vista are for serious computer users who have advanced high-performance needs and who are running a computer system with a 64-bit processor. These editions combine Windows Vista innovation with cutting-edge PC hardware to deliver access to vast amounts of memory, stronger security, and a new level of reliability.

In the business world, Windows Vista 64-bit editions are ideal for engineering (CAD/CAM) work, digital content creation, scientific and technical computing, and even demanding financial analysis, all on computer systems with 64-bit processors.

In the consumer market, Windows Vista 64-bit editions are ideal for serious gamers, high-quality media creators, and enthusiasts who demand the most from digital media and who are running computer systems with 64-bit processors.

The 64-bit editions of Windows Vista are not for everyone, and require a system with a 64-bit processor and 64-bit system drivers.

What editions and versions of Windows Vista will work with NEAT Receipts versions 2.8 and 3.0?

The initial release of both 2.8 and 3.0 will work on the most common 32-Bit (x86) editions of Vista. 

 

The good news is that the major PC manufacturers (Dell, HP, etc.) all ship with the 32-bit versions of Vista on the machines that they sell by default.  If you have recently purchased a computer that runs Windows Vista, you are most likely running a 32-bit version of Vista unless you uninstalled the operating system and installed a 64-bit version on the machine,.

I want to assure our advanced users who have expressed interest in a 64-bit version of NEAT Receipts that we are very excited about the benefits of 64-bit Vista and 64-bit architecture, and are carefully considering your requests as we look ahead to future versions of NEAT Receipts.

Enthusiastically,

Jeffrey Burk

VP Technology

I, too, would like to see 64 bit version of Neat Receipts.  If you are not going to support it, does this mean we can get a refund?  It should.

I took a cue from Xyxxy's post, and searched for the Plustek scanner drivers - I now have my Neat Receipts scanner working fine, scanning into applications such as Adobe Acrobat 8, Adobe Photoshop, and many others.  As Neat Receipts appears to be reselling Plustek scanners with a proprietary software, getting the 64 bit DRIVER shouldn't be a problem, just license the Plustek driver.  The problem seems to be in porting the software to the 64 bit operating system.  Unless the 32 bit version uses BIOS calls, it should actually run on the 64 bit system without modification.  Just lose the OS check in the installation, and it might work.  If it doesn't, it really shouldn't take more than rewriting a few lines of code to make the software 64 bit compatible.  Meantime, I can accomplish what I actually acquired the scanner for, so it doesn't really matter to me if Neat Receipts refuses to keep pace with current technologies.  As aging notebooks are replaced with new, users will just find alternatives.

How do we get rid of the version check in the installer?

OK - not super technical, but could you not tell it to run on one of the XP SPs?  I have a couple of other non-64 programs that I run that way....any thoughts? 

Another Few months go by...anyone have any luck????

Bryce Wrote,

Hello Bryce,  or Anyone who can help out

How do you loose the start up check?  I did as explained and went to Plustek's web site and downloaded the driver...  Works fine.  The only thing I cant do now is to load up NR's sofware due to the start up check.  Any Ideas?

Thanks,

Burl.

Neat Receipts Windows Vista 64 bit & Windows XP 64 bit pro edition support Petition to Neat Receipts Corp.

http://www.petitiononline.com/winvisxp/petition.html

This doesn't make it work, but it did make me feel a *little bit* better to meta-officially complain about it :-/

It's been almost a year since the posting of this 64-bit Vista manifesto explanation. Much has changed and 64-bit OSes are more prevalent, and almost ALL hardware now supports 64-bit. It's time to update your public position on this (and software) since, hopefully, you've been preparing for the inevitability of 64-bit.

-AAron 

Please add me to the list of people wishing this was supported on Vista 64-bit.

I for one am very disappointed in NeatReceipts for not supporting Vista 64. Maybe now that Microsoft is saying Vista 64 will now be the mainstream Vista, we might get more traction.  If you really want to run the program to read and look up receipts you can if you have a copy of Windows XP around. Run NeatReceipts in a Virtual PC as a window in Vista 64. Virtual PC is a free Microsoft program. If you really need to scan, use the Plustek drivers for Vista 64. It's not ideal, but it is a work around.