# Installation update newbie question

**URL:** <https://www.ruby-forum.com/t/installation-update-newbie-question/136791>\
**Category:** Ruby\
**Created:** [May 6, 2008, 1:37pm UTC](https://www.ruby-forum.com/t/installation-update-newbie-question/136791 "2008-05-06T13:37:08Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 2\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![marcoa](https://www.ruby-forum.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/m/e68b1a/32.png) [@marcoa](https://www.ruby-forum.com/u/marcoa)\
**Post date:** [May 6, 2008, 1:37pm UTC](https://www.ruby-forum.com/t/installation-update-newbie-question/136791/1 "2008-05-06T13:37:08Z")

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I am installing a the win32-api gem and it gives an option of 4  
possible choices. I see that the basic difference is version 1.0.6 vs  
1.0.5 but what I do not get is what is the difference between ruby vs  
x86-mswin32-60? What would I base my choice on?

Select which gem to install for your platform (i386-mswin32)

1. win32-api 1.0.6 (x86-mswin32-60)
2. win32-api 1.0.6 (ruby)
3. win32-api 1.0.5 (x86-mswin32-60)
4. win32-api 1.0.5 (ruby)
5. Cancel installation

Thanks

Marco

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![marcoa](https://www.ruby-forum.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/m/e68b1a/32.png) [@marcoa](https://www.ruby-forum.com/u/marcoa)\
**Post date:** [May 6, 2008, 2:14pm UTC](https://www.ruby-forum.com/t/installation-update-newbie-question/136791/2 "2008-05-06T14:14:20Z")

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marcoa wrote:

> I am installing a the win32-api gem and it gives an option of 4  
> possible choices. I see that the basic difference is version 1.0.6 vs  
> 1.0.5 but what I do not get is what is the difference between ruby vs  
> x86-mswin32-60? What would I base my choice on?
> 
> Select which gem to install for your platform (i386-mswin32)
> 
> 1. win32-api 1.0.6 (x86-mswin32-60)
> 2. win32-api 1.0.6 (ruby)
> 3. win32-api 1.0.5 (x86-mswin32-60)
> 4. win32-api 1.0.5 (ruby)
> 5. Cancel installation
> 
> Thanks
> 
> Marco

Hi Marco,

difference between ruby vs x86-mswin32-60

If u r working in Windows machine → install x86-mswin32-60

If u r working other than windows → install ruby

mswin32 is especially for windows machine.

(Pls correct if I misguiding Marco…)

Regards,  
P.Raveendran  
RailsFactory

> **[Raveendran](https://raveendran.wordpress.com)**
>
> Nothing is impossible...