Re: [gentoo-amd64] 64-bit or 32-bit?

[Jim <Jim@keeliegirl.dyndns.org>]

* on the Sun, Mar 26, 2006 at 07:50:46PM +0200, Hemmann, Volker Armin said:
> On Sunday 26 March 2006 17:33, JimD wrote:
> > Has anyone noticed any real benefit from running their gentoo in 64-bit
> > vs doing everything 64-bit?
> >
> > I am trying to decide if I should put the time into setting up a 32-bit
> > environment or and stay with 64-bit or if I should just rebuild my
> > system at 32-bit.
> >
> > I am running with 2GB which should be fine for 32-bit.  I don't have
> > any specific needs for 64-bit.
> >
> > Would I notice any big slow down from doing everything 32-bit on
> > amd64?  I am wondering if I should just go rebuild 32-bit and retry
> > 64-bit in 6-12 months.
> >
> 
> in 6-12 month the situation will not be different than now. 
> 
> So you can go 64 bit now. For flash and wmv files install firefox-bin and 
> mplayer-bin and you are covered. Waiting is just a waste of time - install 
> now and reinstall in 6 month.. why? That is one superflous installation you 
> do not need to do.

I started to setup a 32-bit chroot.  However I noticed that emerge wants
to merge almost a full system.  It seems silly for me to have to
maintain a complete 32-bit gentoo and a complete 64-bit gentoo.  I don't
use any programs that *need* 64-bit.

I have firefox-bin installed and that works well.  I also have
mplayer-bin installed and that is working well.  However on my x86
system I used mplayerplug-in to be able to watch media in Firefox.  The
only way I can install mplayerplug-in is to build a full 32-bit
environment with a 32-bit xorg so I can build mplayerplug-in.  That
seems like a lot of work to have to do.

For example, what other option do I have to watch a video like this:
http://www.apple.com/trailers/warner_independent_pictures/thepromise/med.html

Another possible issue I just thought about is that for me to VPN into
work I have to use Nortel Networks crappy Extranet client.  The linux
version is binary only and is a *real* pain to get to install on 32-bit.
I have not seen a 64-bit binary version so to use the VPN I would need
to run a 32-bit kernel.  Which means having 2 kernels, one 32-bit and
one 64-bit and having to reboot everytime I need to VPN.  The other
option is to install VMWare with Win2k and run the VPN client in there.
However I have not tested how that will work under a 64-bit kernel.

I have just been trying to think of a compeling reason to maintain a
32-bit gentoo and a 64-bit gentoo and have not thought of any.

Thanks for your input : )

Jim
-- 
gentoo-amd64@gentoo.org mailing list