hardware name/platform/CPU type?
 

In command "uname -a", what is the difference between :-
Hardware name(-m)/Processor type(-p)/Hardware platform(-i)
my system has RH 9.0 CPU Intel 1.6GHz.
$uname -a
command returns
-m : i686 hardware name
-p : i686 Processor type
-i : i386 hardware platform

i also need mplayer for RH9.0 in the site freshrpm it shows i386 with in the rpm package name what it denotes. is that one is compatible with my system? if its not then what should i do for it?

well instead of even answering that i am going to tell you to type:
man uname
in the terminal and you'll have your answers....
and yes you can use that copy of mplayer.

thanks. but what's the difference between Hardware Name and Processor Type?