Hi. I would like to optimize the slackware packages for pentium4 and then repack them, and replace the ones from the ISO cd's with them. The only thing is that I do not know what software to use and where to start. I've read some threads here before posting, but couldn't find anything that suits my neads, so please don't post just to say "there will be no difference from i486 to pentium4", even if it wouldn't be that great of a difference i'd still want to do it so... If you could post your methods of making slackware packages with a short guide or a link maybe on how to set the optimization flags. thanks.

IMO I dont think you'll see a difference for the time it takes.

Basically you're talking about building slackware from the entire ground floor of linux from scratch and working up to what you have.

The only thing I can tell you is that if your really bent on optimized packages, then you might want to look into zen-walk linux, as they claim to be optimized for 686 architecture.

I've had bad luck with them, but many people love them. Mileage may vary I guess.

To get you started, first download all the source (CD 3&4) of Slackware and have a look at the slackbuild scripts - create a script to change the optimization to suit your Pentium4 chip, and start your computer for some massive compiling by running all the slackbuild scripts to build your own packages...

-Y1

Old_Fogie, as i've said i know that most people think package optimization doesn't have so much effect on the system speed, altough opinions are on both sides (i've seen another thread where someone explained how and why optimization does make a difference) and even so i'm the type who want to feel it, test it, do it. I have the time and energy ,so to say, to do this, so why not ? I've also read somewhere that the optimization from i386 to i686 on some distros made a hell of a job, so why wouldn't optimization from i486 to pentium4 do the same ? And Yalla-One, thx for the tip but can i use -mcpu=pentium4 -march=pentium4 on those scripts and -02 or -03 gcc optimizations ? is there a how-to on those cd's or can you give me a link ?

I've read on this site and somewhere got to . Knowing that my -march variable is se to -march=pentium4 should i change that to be too ?

How are you going to measure the difference anyway? Lots of people try to optimize but no one reports any gain, just general stuff, like "it's much faster" or so... And why not use gentoo? You might even consider using the intel compiler instead of the gnu compiler. My advice: first optimize one package and measure whether it makes a difference, then decide if it's worth optimizing everthing.

There are major differences between 386 and 486, which means that a 486plus compilation will be significantly faster. Pentium MMX onwards have focused on new instructions that are only really significant for multimedia. Meanwhile they contain internal code translators that do a not bad job of making use of their capability.