Why are there so little i686 packages in fedora core 3?

Is it possible to get Fedora core 3 fully compiled for 686?

If not how to recompile the whole system, not only the kernel? Is that posible at all, and how much time is needed?


I love linux, but staying on 386 is like Bill Gates is creating linux.

If you want all packages to be compiled specialy for your CPU, look into Gentto linux http://www.gentoo.org/main/en/about.xml

type uname -a

That's what matters.

Linux localhost.localdomain 2.6.9-1.667 #1 Tue Nov 2 14:41:25 EST 2004 i686 athlon i386 GNU/Linux

Does this meann that I have 686 processor, but linux is 386?

That is my original question? Why wouldnt they make 686 distro, and 586 distro, etc.

Not everyone uses i686 compatible processors, so I guess creating i386 is a bit of a trade off. Anyway, those using fast processors, won't have a problem with i386 packages.

Thats just what bill gates did all these years, and we all hate him for this. Why do they (linux distributors) make versions for x86_64 at all. 386 is just as good.


I do not agree with this. Linux is one of the best (the best) operating system for pc-s and it should for goods sake completely use hardware, not just 50% of it.

With this attitude linux is just loosing.

I think, that recompiling for let say 386, 486, 586, 686 and x86_64 is not much of a job. you just need a few computers more. But then the name linux stands for something on the top.

Well, but my original question is:

is it possible to recompile the whole Fedora on my computer and how?

Thanks

Packages designated i386 are designed to work with i386 processors and above, it doesn't mean the application is some old dog that limps along when run on a faster processor. That designation only tells you the minimum processor type you will need to run it.

Linux is not like Windows. It isn't out to make money. Linux has no need to make sure you keep buying new programs that will only run on faster processors and become useless as the next generation processor comes out.

Your kernel is optimized for 686, which is the most important factor. The userland is i386. If you really want to optimize every piece of linux, use compile-time flags in gentoo at gentoo.org.

No distribution has 686 as the default packaging, because it doesn't gain you anything of importance. Use gentoo if you want to tweak and optimize everything to your particular point of view.

Thank you all for your answers

I did try gentoo, and fell in love.

I must disagree with some of your comments, because compiling everything just for your computer (not using i386...) makes everything not just a little faster, but extremely faster.

And I agree that Linux is way different from Windows (which I hate ...). It's made by people who love it. I like it's open source idea.

From my experience in Gentoo:
I brought my women's pentium celeron 333Mhz back to life. It runs much faster now, even faster than some computers with processor frequency much higher but using windows.

Do not take me wrong, I do not hate Linux, I love it, but most of all I love Gentoo.

Thanks

Glad to hear it. Choice is good, ain't it.