Dear Slackware, Optimized Distros?

konsolebox · 04-17-2013, 11:02 AM

Hi, I wonder if Slackware would ever have optimized packaging for each subsystem like what Funtoo did? I know that's so unlikely but I just wonder if there's a possibility. Some not-too-conservative users would probably love to have most features of their processors used at its fullest to lessen lag, gain speed, and perhaps conserve a bit of energy as well for the distro they're using.

TobiSGD · 04-17-2013, 11:06 AM

Have a look here, this might be helpful: http://www.linuxquestions.org/questi...ct-4175457215/

konsolebox · 04-17-2013, 11:12 AM

@TobiSGD I know the possibility of re-building Slackware certainly. But it's better if it's already provided and ready for download. And an official package is also irresistible to take, and probably collect or archive.

dugan · 04-17-2013, 11:17 AM

Which specific processor features have you identified Slackware as not using?

konsolebox · 04-17-2013, 11:19 AM

@dugan Basically new faster instructions? And optimized use of caches?

dugan · 04-17-2013, 11:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by konsolebox

@dugan Basically new faster instructions?

I meant: which CFLAGS do you want?

konsolebox · 04-17-2013, 11:36 AM

@dugan I think it's the value of march that would matter most.

dugan · 04-17-2013, 11:43 AM

Then obviously, the answer is: no, there is no chance that that will ever happen.

-mtune (which doesn't break backward compatibility) would be a more reasonable request.

w1k0 · 04-17-2013, 11:44 AM

Slackware 32-bit still runs on 486 machines (pre-Pentium ones). Slackware 64-bit runs on x86_64 machines and allows to run some 32-bit software using the multilib.

According to “Slackware Overview”:

Quote:

Slackware Linux can run on 486 systems all the way up to the latest x86 machines (but uses -mcpu=i686 optimization for best performance on i686-class machines like the P3, P4, Duron/Athlon, and the latest multi-core x86 CPUs).

So Slackware is optimized to run on different machines. If you need the system optimized to run on your machine try Funtoo or Gentoo.

konsolebox · 04-17-2013, 11:47 AM

@wk10 You don't really have to say the obvious. That has nothing to do with the question. And it's not about me deciding to use Gentoo, or Funtoo.

konsolebox · 04-17-2013, 11:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dugan

Then obviously, the answer is: no, there is no chance that that will ever happen.

-mtune (which doesn't break backward compatibility) would be a more reasonable request.

Obviously, an optimized code is meant to be an optimized code so it won't work on older systems. But isn't that already expected? I'm actually asking if Slackware could have different optimized distros for every main subsystem as specified in my opening post.

Edit: Sorry I actually misread that. As of the new versions of GCC (checked 4.7) I think there's no longer any difference with that two.

Didier Spaier · 04-17-2013, 11:50 AM

Slackware provides:
(1) Compiled packages
(2) SlackBuilds + source tarballs corresponding to (1), allowing you to optimize any package.

It's very different from Gentoo (let alone Funtoo) on that respect.

And Slackware is maintained by very few people, already pretty busy.

So, IMO doing what you suggest would need to launch a different project, with a dedicated team.

ponce · 04-17-2013, 11:55 AM

yes, one person maintaing something like 30 (to be optimistic) variants of the same distribution seems to me like a wonderful idea.

in Italy we have a vulgar saying for situations like this (please don't get offended, it's just for explaination's sake): "yes, and maybe while he's at it he could also put a broom in his ass and clean your house".

konsolebox · 04-17-2013, 11:59 AM

@Didier Spaier I don't really see the need of having another dedicated team to just rebuild what's already in a dvd after a stable release to have another dvd that's optimized for a specific CPU type, most basically the ones that could be provided to march or mtune.

Please don't confuse optimizing a package for a CPU and changing the target host. It's different.

dugan · 04-17-2013, 12:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by konsolebox

Obviously, an optimized code is meant to be an optimized code so it won't work on older systems. But isn't that already expected? I'm actually asking if Slackware could have different optimized distros for every main subsystem as specified in my opening post.

Did I not very specifically and clearly answer you with no already?