jollibee

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Hi,

I'm a newbie.

What's the difference between i586 vs. x86_64 version of linux software?

I have a 64-bit computer and I want to install the right linux software.

Which version should I choose?

Thanks!
Jo

Uncle_Theodore

i586 will run on Pentium class processors and all subsequent models, including the recent x86_64 Intel and AMD processors.
x86_64 will run only on x86_64 architecture.

i92guboj

i586 refers to classic pentium, the one that came after 486dx. Any x86 cpu that is equal or superior to the original pentium can run i586 code. So, it's certainly possible to run code compiled for 586 on your cpu. The pentium was a 32 bits processor, so the software compiled for 586 runs in 32 bits mode.

x86_64 is a superset of x86, which extends the word size to 64 bits. x86_64 cpus can still run x86 code without a problem, but they can run 64 bits code as well.

So, your cpu can run in 64 bits mode or 32 bits mode, whatever suits you.

chrism01

And just to be explicit, if your HW supports 64 bit, you can install a 64 bit OS and it will be able to run both 64 bit & 32 bit apps.

Uncle_Theodore

Not quite. If the distro is multilib, then yes, but not every distribution is multilib...

jollibee

Thank you all for the info.

jollibee

I'm setting up Suse Linux Enterprise 10.2. Is that a good OS? What do you think?

johnsfine

For what purpose?

Are you setting up Linux as a web server? A database server? A file server? A multi-user system to be used remotely?

Or are you setting up a single user workstation or ordinary home system?

"Enterprise" tends to mean a server of some kind. If you are setting up a home system, selecting any "Enterprise" version of Linux is likely to confuse you.

For a home system, I greatly prefer Mepis. Ubuntu is similar to Mepis and is much more popular and is another good choice for a home system (though I think Mepis is more beginner friendly).

For a server, I have very limited experience using Suse (and no experience installing it). I think Centos is a better choice for a server.

ronlau9

Or do you mean opensuse 10.2 ?
In that case why not here new version opensuse 11.1

jollibee

I am setting up a single user workstation. Suse Linux Enterprise is the generic name of the software.

Thanks!

jollibee

Suse Linux Enterprise 10.2 has different download from OpenSuse 10.2. The Enterprise is a supported version and Open Suse is not, I think.

ronlau9

It depends what you mean by supported ?
Opensuse is supported with updates EQ BUG fixes for a certain time .
But not by Novell

johnsfine

I've only used Suse (on a system someone else installed). I never tried to download or install it.

So I have no clue what versions of Suse are available, nor how much of my negative experience with Suse is a result of errors made by the individual who installed it.

So just one partial and anecdotal data point. You asked whether it was a good choice (for a beginner single user workstation) and I gave my opinion that it is not.

For an experienced Linux user, a lot of the differences between distributions don't matter. I'm sure someone who knows Linux just a little better than I do could install a good single user workstation from Centos or any other Enterprise distribution and/or install a good server from Mepis.

But I think a beginner is better off selecting a more targeted distribution. Mepis is very well targeted to typical Linux beginners who tend to have Windows experience and who want to do ordinary home computer things (web browsing, video editing, communicating with a Windows based home network, and many other things). All those things can be done with any other linux distribution as well. But in most cases you need to first learn more about being a Linux system administrator than an ordinary home user wants to learn.

jollibee

After a frustrating time installing Suse Linux Enterprise 10.2 (fails in the hardware configuration step, the last step), I decided to use Open Suse 10.3. It is now working. Thanks to all of you guys!