Re: Bits from the FTPMaster meeting

[Goswin von Brederlow <goswin-v-b@web.de>]

Andreas Tille <andreas@an3as.eu> writes:

> On Wed, Nov 18, 2009 at 07:41:51AM +0100, Luk Claes wrote:
>> 
>> I think one would be surprised how many packages get used on 'exotic'
>> architectures. Most users don't specifically search for a piece of
>> software, they want to have some specific task done by using a specific
>> package. Not providing the package will only mean that the user either
>> uses another package or does not get the task done.
>
> Well, I do not think that you can do gene sequencing or number crunching
> on current mobile phones.  So there are really programs which are not
> needed on all architectures and even if you find a binary package which
> claims to do the job it is just useless.  Even if I agree with your
> arguing that each program at least theoretically should build on any
> architecture (if not it is a bug) in some cases it looks foolish to
> provide binary packages just for the sake of it.  This is was Charles
> meant when he wrote: We should trust the maintainer if a specific
> program is not needed for a certain architecture.

And then someone comes along and builds a Supercomputer cluster out of
game consoles.

With the way energy consumption becomes important I would not be
surprised to see an arm supercomputer cluster next.

MfG
        Goswin