Re: Concerns about AMD64 port
John Goerzen <jgoerzen@complete.org> writes:
> On Thu, Feb 05, 2004 at 11:23:03PM +0100, Goswin von Brederlow wrote:
> > John Goerzen <jgoerzen@complete.org> writes:
>
> > I think the attitude is that its sid, to hell with compatibility. Get
> > it running and then think about an upgrade path or just rm -rf / and
> > reinstall the then emerging final port. Your making a new port, there
> > is nothing to be compatible with.
>
> > If its just a temporary solution till the multiarch is sorted out and
> > takes over that is fine.
>
> I do not see it in such stark black and white as you. I see the pure
> AMD64 port as the starting point; the base upon which the multiarch
> features can be added later. I do not think that the upgrade path will
> be difficult or traumatic for either our users or the developers.
> However, it must be said that nobody really knows exactly what form it
> will take since nobody can yet agree on what form dpkg/apt/etc will
> take.
Just playing advocatus diablus.
> > > I started this thread responsing to the message on the AMD64 ports page
> > > that says that a pure 64-bit port would be of little use. I continue to
> > > maintain that this is wrong, and I have ample experience with pure
> > > 64-bit systems to prove it. I am sure you could find many more on
> > > debian-alpha and axp-list that would agree.
> >
> > That has zero weight. Noone ever claimed 64bit support for amd64 would
> > not be needed and thats all you can get from other 64bit archs.
>
> I said "pure 64-bit port". And yes, somebody did claim that: see
> http://www.debian.org/ports/amd64/: "A pure 64bit port seems to be
> academical and of little use."
>
> > You will be stealing away people that would otherwise invest their
> > time into getting multiarch support along. If it catches on it will
> > considerably slow down the multiarch amd64 port. But at the moment
>
> I'm not sure that either of these are correct, and even if they are, I
> don't think it's a bad thing.
>
> People will invest their time in the things that are important to them.
> I care not about multiarch support; therefore, my time is being invested
> in getting a 64-bit userland going. Those that care about multiarch
> will no doubt invest their time there. If multiarch withers and dies
> because nobody spends time on it, that makes a strong statement about
> how important it really is. Similarly, if nobody else cares about a
> pure 64-bit userland, that project will wither and die. Really, though,
> I don't think these are exclusive propositions either technologically or
> with respect to resources.
>
> However, once a 64-bit userland is running, I don't see how that will
> sap people's time to any great extent. Right now, it's sapping *my*
> time, but I wasn't going to work on multiarch anyway. Heck, I wasn't
> going to *any* AMD64 work until I get my machine next week.
>
> -- John
If you start its easier to jump on the wagon. You will split
developement but thats not neccessarily a bad thing.
And you are right, its your time and every bodies own decision what to
do.
MfG
Goswin
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