Re: [gentoo-amd64] About to install on a 64 bit system. Advice wanted.

[Dale <rdalek1967@gmail.com>]

Frank Peters wrote:
> On Wed, 08 Dec 2010 15:17:18 -0600
> Dale<rdalek1967@gmail.com>  wrote:
>
>    
>> What are some things that I should watch for and enable that isn't so
>> obvious for someone new to 64 bit?
>>
>>      
> The first thing to decide is whether or not you want a pure 64-bit
> system or a 64-bit system that keeps 32-bit capability.
>
> I am a purist.  I left 32-bit programs in the dust a long time ago.
> But as a consequence there are some things that I will miss because
> they are available in 32-bit packages only.  An example would be
> Acroread, the PDF viewer, from Adobe.  Without Acroread, you will
> only view pdf files through the 64-bit xpdf.  The Intel C++
> compiler is another example.  In fact, most commercial software
> that bothers to release a Linux version will do so in 32-bit
> format only.
>
> So if you need to make use of those offerings, you'll need
> to keep 32-bit compatibility.
>
> My own view is that these software developers are way behind
> the times and should have long ago made their products in
> a 64-bit form.  It's not that difficult to do.
>
> Whatever the choice, pure 64-bit or 64/32, Gentoo makes it
> easy.
>
> Frank Peters
>
>
>    

Now I have a question.  How do I tell Gentoo to make it pure 64 or a mix 
of 32 and 64?  I have read about this but I don't think I have actually 
seen where it is set.  Is it a profile selection, USE flag or something 
else?

If I decide on one then want to switch to the other, does that require a 
reinstall or just a change in settings and a recompile of world?

Since I use KDE, I always use Okular to view pdf files.  I assume KDE is 
64 bit ready.

Thanks.

Dale

:-)  :-)