[LBo] 64 v. 32 bit.

[Jason Turning]

Geoff Jones wrote:
> I recently acquired a 64 bit box for the first time. I have 32 + 64 bit Debian 
> testing installed on it. On the 64 version, I keep running into problems 
> finding 64 bit Apps - and also browser plugins ( like no JRE x64  ? ).
> 
> I have to decide which will be my "main" os.
> 
> I would like to hear other peoples experience of 64 bit architecture - 
> especially whether losing "convenience" is a good trade-off for "operational 
> improvement"? 
> 
> [ This is hardly new technology - why is software still so far behind? ]
> 
> Geoff.

I run 64 bit openSUSE on an AMD Athlon X2 3800 and all is working well
now. You do have to run the 32 bit browser and plugins. There was a time
when I had problems with certain apps, desktop environments, ATI
drivers, but for right now all of the bugs have been worked out. If you
don't do a lot of video transcoding, CD ripping, and things of that
nature to take advantage of the slight speed improvements, you might
avoid hassles and go with 32 bit. But in fairness, Linux does pretty
darn good with 64 bit. Try running 64 bit Windows XP or Vista and see
how well you do, :).

One advantage of openSUSE is you can run Smart Package Manager which I
believe works with other distros, and Smart shows you the 32 bit apps vs
the 64 bit apps when adding/updating apps, either @586 or @86_64. So you
can work around some problems by managing what you use. Of course for
some apps, only a 32 bit version if available anyway.

Personally, I'll keep running 64 bit.

-- 
Jason Turning
jturning at sbcglobal.net
-----
http://www.hikenride.net/