Re: How big will the 32-bit chroot end up being? What goes in these days?

[Helge Hafting <helge.hafting@aitel.hist.no>]

Thomas Steffen wrote:

> On 1/23/06, cmetzler@speakeasy.net <cmetzler@speakeasy.net> wrote:
>  
>
> > So, as I understand it, the following stuff would need to go into the
> > 32-bit chroot (assuming one wants/needs these things):
> >
> > - Sun's J2RE
> >
> > - OpenOffice
> >
> > - Flash
> >
> > - RealPlayer/Helix/whatever
> >
> > - win32codecs + other misc A/V codecs one might scrounge up elsewhere
> >
> > - Any web browser that you want to be able to use Java/Flash/embedded
> > AV stuff in
> >
> > - the Acrobat Reader
> >
> > - cdrecord/cdrdao plus whatever front end you're using to call them
> >
> > Is that correct?  Anything I'm missing?
> >    
>
> Don't forget all the dependencies that all pulled in by these apps.
> You might end up with nearly a typical Linux installation.
>  
Not quite that bad.  There is no need for the xserver for example,
as the 32-bit processes have no problem talking to the 64-bit server.
And of course the chroot don't need any utilities, bootup scripts,
window managers, printing subsystem, login software . . .

Most of the dependencies are libraries.  You could end up with a
sizable chunk of those though.

Also consider 64-bit equivalents.  CD burning can be done in 64-bit.
Frontend software can always be 64-bit even if it controls a 32-bit
program doing the work. (Browser+plugin is different, as the plugin
isn't a freestanding program.  It links into the browser.)

Adobe acrobat has a 64-bit alternative in xpdf.  Xpdf sure looks
different - maybe it isn't a perfect replacement - but it is fine
for reading and printing pdf documents.

32-bit java is also something you may be able to do without.
64-bit java is fine for all non-browser use - but of course there is
no plugin for mozilla.  For java in a 64-bit webbrowser, use
64-bit konqueror and 64-bit java 1.5.0-4 from Sun.  It passes the
test at http://www.java.com/en/download/help/testvm.xml,
and works with java games at www.darkfish.com.  I have not
been able to use it for internet banks that use java, but only a
stupid bank forces the customers like that - there are other banks!

Some people need openoffice, but there are certainly good alternatives.
I use lyx for writing (better typography and much faster)
gnumeric for spreadsheets (much faster, and just as excel-compatible)
and abiword (much faster) when I need to exchange
something word-compatible with others.

Helge Hafting