more -- ix86 packages on x86_64 system

[Chris Kloiber]

On Mon, 2004-04-12 at 11:10, Jason Knight wrote:
> Gene Czarcinski wrote:
> 
> >The only idea that occurs to me involves up2date/yum/system-config-packages.  
> >Could one/all of these packages be enhanced to properly handle the addition 
> >(new installation) of an ix86 package on an existing x86_64 system ... to 
> >install the package but then fix things so that if a x86_64 package was 
> >already installed it would be re-installed (or things otherwise fixed up) so 
> >that the result was the proper set of x86_64 files plus the ix86 libraries.
> >
> >The problem with spending any resources to solve this problem is that it 
> >appears to me to be only needed for the amd64 (and whatever Intel is calling 
> >their version) platform.  Other platforms which support simultaneous 32-bit 
> >and 64-bit applications do not appear to have the problem since they seem to 
> >be mostly 32-bit with a few 64-bit applications.  So the question is:  How 
> >important is it to support arbitrary 32-bit applications running on a x86_64 
> >system?  Is it important enough to spend time developing the capability.
> >
> >Comments?  Suggestions?
> >
> >Gene
> >  
> >
> I think one of the things that needs to be remembered is that the 
> software (and hardware) community is slowly migrating towards the 64 bit 
> architechture whereas 32 bit will become the old compatibility feature. 
> Therefore sites such as newrpms and fedora.us will have their 
> repositories eventually having x86_64 packages as opposed to the current 
> 32 bit only status. This will mean that installations will be a breeze 
> with x86_64 packages being installed from x86_64 repos will work 
> flawlessly for the x86_64 based systems.
> 
> So in effect: I think our main goal should be to start pushing 
> developers (and repo maintainers) to start coding/building for 64 bit 
> and to begin the migration as it has to start sooner or later.
> 
> -- 
> Jason Knight
> Fedora Core 2 Test 2 *x86_64*

I don't believe the apt/yum repository owners will begin making
available x86_64 packages until either someone buys them some x86_64
machines, or until they feel the urge to splurge on one (or two)
themselves. I have felt that urge, and finally got FC2-test2 installed
on my eMachines M6807 (with no help from anaconda or the kernel, I can
tell you!) and am looking for a good x86_64 repo myself. I wanted to put
a repo up myself, but since I live in the 'good old USA', that idea went
down in flames. 

-- 
Chris Kloiber, RHCX
Red Hat, Inc.