64 bit?

[Leon Goldstein]

Ken Moffat wrote:

>I recently installed amd 64 bit Ubuntu on my rebuilt desktop, but the
>lack of some of what I consider multimedia basics had me considering
>installing the 32 bit alternative. 
>
>Can anyone give reasons why the 64 bit OS is necessary for any reason
>other than running more than 4 gigs of memory? (It seems like a waste to
>have a 64bit system and not run the matching OS, eh?)
>
>Ken
>
>
>  
>
I have a SuSE 10.3 DVD that came with an issue of Linux Pro magazine.  
It has 32 bit on one side and 64 bit on the other.  I installed both on 
my Core 2 duo 1.8 gHz box.  The difference is very noticeable.  For one 
thing, boot time with 64 bits is much faster.  There is a 32 bit 
compatibility mode you can opt to install, so legacy apps will work.  My 
favorite word processor, hoary old WordPerfect 8.1 really sparkles 
running in SuSE 64.

I just obtained Debian 4 R3 64 bits from Cheap Bytes as a three-DVD 
set.  I have used the 32 bit version, and really like using Synaptic.  I 
hope to have it running in the next few days too, if the there is a let 
up in the monstrous thunder storms that keep sweeping through the 
Sandhills of North Carolingia.

-- 
Leon A. Goldstein

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