I use both 64 and 32 bit versions. I have applications (and devices) that are not supported on 64 bit as well as some older platforms that are not 64-bit compatible. I also maintain systems for others (both friends and clients) that are in simialr positions vis-a-vis 32-bit.

ARM is a different platform/subject entirely and should be treated as such.

I know... I was not clear in my head that weekend, after recovering from the flu. I made my apologies to Patrick who was upset that I made it sound like the 32-bit branch would have a finite life, and I removed myself from the team subsequently.
It was not my intention to tread on toes, or upset people. I want to apologize to you, the "audience" as well.
I am going to release the packages for KDE< Libreoffice, VLC and OpenJDK which are somewhere around the corner and then move to other pastures.

Eric

No apologies needed. Let's see things in a constructive way: this thread illustrates the variety of situations and people in/for which Slackware is useful.

So thanks to you, to Patrick and to all Slackware contributors.

On behalf of the "audience",

I hope with all my heart that this was a joke or upset words. Nobody can challenge your contribution to Slackware, Eric...

Back to topic.

I am a user of Slackware 32bit, because my job, I am put in a position to work with servers that do not support x86_64. Well, Linux which is running on these servers, it is not just Slackware(32), let's say, a sort of in-house distribution based on Slackware. BUT, it is Slackware at its heart.

As a user, I do not see the x86_64 version with very good eyes, because it is necessary the multilib to complete the environment. I would not like to criticize multilib, but for me it is a kind of Linux-on-Linux, an additional layer of complexity to run 32bit programs. Which reminds me of Windows-on-Windows64, aka WOW64.

Therefore, I do not see <insert here distro name> Linux on x86_64, ready to completely replace the one in 32bit.

However, I believe that support for i486, at present, it is not necessary, and would be more useful a build for i686.

Why?

One of the legends circulated here is to support old hardware that exists in third world countries.

You are deeply mistaken, if you imagine that millions of i486 computers have been shipped, with dozens of ships, in Africa or Eastern Europe, from the too-rich America. There is no such thing.

Where computers have penetrated later, most likely came after they become affordable enough. So, will usually find a Pentium II or K6-II. Or even more better. I mean they have computers that are i686 or better.

And right now, the poor guy from Africa, most likely will buy an android netbook, which costs around $100. Want some specs for it? It have 7" color TFT display, WM8850 ARM processor at 1.5 GHz, 1GB RAM, 4GB FLASH. Such a device is perfectly capable of running a Slackware and KDE4 with all options and bells. If that poor guy might be able to (relative easy) install the Slackware(ARM?) in his device...

Returning to the x86 target, I think the i686 optimization would allow a better functioning in the older generation computers, that could use that better optimization. Although it seems ironic, that arch optimization, you will feel exactly when running on a i686 system.

If you do not believe me, and you still have a i686 system, install both Slackware and Arch Linux is optimized i686 and you will see a visible difference in response rate, in favor of Arch.

So yes! If Slackware really wants to address those that use REAL legacy systems, this transition to i686 would be great.

I do agree that switching from i486 to i686 builds may be good for 32-bit Slackware's future releases.
And no, I was not joking.

Eric

Yes switching from i486 to i686 is a very good idea
No Now you joking
Slackware world will not be the same without you Eric

I could sooner accept Slackware without 32 bit version than Slackware without you Eric.

If that is your sentiment at the moment, I can only hope that you will reconsider.

All exaggeration aside, my life has been made better by the Slackware team's work, and in particular by your own personal contributions in all areas, including this forum. Thank you.

But whatever you do in future, best of luck and peace always.

4 members found this post helpful.

I made an exception: opened twitter account and "follow volkerdi".
Just now I'm using Thinkpad T40 memory expanded to 2G.
Slackware 13.37 32-bit.

+1000 on that. I do run such a business in a rural area in South France. I do sell new hardware and even high end machines for some customers, but the main part of my business is either installing refurbished hardware from the french administration, or migrating existing Windows networks to Linux, where the hardware more often than not is also outdated. The main reason I use Slackware because it's one of the rare distros - like Debian - that never ever chokes on these machines. And if I can tell my customer he doesn't have to buy new hardware, he can keep his existing machines, well, he's happy. Client machines are about 90 % 32-bit and 10 % 64-bit, I would guess. In my office, the server and my main workhorse PC are Slackware64, the remaining machines are 32-bit.

So, a big thumbs up for 32-bit. It's far from dead, at least here.

---------- Post added 02-05-13 at 11:51 PM ----------

Good idea. Agree with that.

WTF!

Please alienBOB, do not do this. Slackware wouldnt be the same without you.

So, does this mean that you are no longer on the Slackware team ?

i use 32 bit version.
try x64 bit at work ( 13.37) but no see any advantage over 32bit, see a x64 use more memory under the same tasks, as so i decide to sit on x32 for next few years. choose 14.0 x32 for home server too, and for home desktop.
Oh yes! i also have two netbooks - my eeepc 900 ( 900 mhz celeron) and wife-s eeepc 1000H ( intel Atom 1.6 Ghz) - slackware on both. it is x32 processors, so, x64 not run on it. but is ok netbooks with max ram of 2 Gb, and useful...

i486 to i686 is good, imho. these old computers ( i486, i586) is anyway too less cpu power and memory for put it in novadays distro, imho - 5- 6 years old distro in that is much more adequate and good, i think, as so, in my viewpoint, go to i686 in slack is ok.
but x32 bit branch in slack is want and necessary, imho. i have 3 \ 4 Gb RAM on my computers, and i not see any advantage of x64 branch in that case. in my opinion, x64 is more heavyweight -consumes more ram,slower, must install multilibs for work with x32 apps.
on someday, when i get computer with 8 - 12 or more Gb RAM, i going to x64, but now i not see a point to fo this.
About "no joking" - i hope, you think over and stay in slack develop team...

Eric, after all you've done for slackware and slackers in general, a flu-induced minor misspeak is eminently forgiveable. I don't know your reasons for leaving the team, and I won't pry, but slackware will be diminished without your contributions and I'm saddened by this news.

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