Re: Best way to proceed for a 64-bits version of Knoppix?

[knoppix@rngresearch.com]

>> >I rather hope that Knoppix will be available in "32-bits for quite a
>> >while" indeed!  Most of the machines I run Knoppix on are 32-bit
>> machines.
>>
>
> I explicitly stated that 32 vs 64 bits was not the subject here.

I didn't mean to imply otherwise.  I was only commenting on your
statement, "To cater for all the different use situations, standard
Knoppix will
probably be 32-bits for quite a while, with a number of optional 64-bits
elements..."  I wanted to contribute that, in my case anyway, most of my
own machines on which I run Knoppix, as well as most of the machines I use
in internet cafes, etc., are 32-bit machines.

I was, in fact, delighted to see the 64-bit kernel in 6.4.4!

I am interested, though: what applications do you find benefit greatly
from the 64-bit kernel?  And how much RAM do you need to have installed to
make the switch to 64-bits pay off?

> Furthermore, it will not be difficult to deliver both 32 and 64 bits in
> the
> same package, just two different compressed images to choose between,
> analogous to the way we can choose between 32 and 64 bits kernels when
> booting Knoppix today.  From my own very modest and superficial testing of
> 32 vs "pure" 64 bits on ordinary actual hardware (like the I5-430M
> processor), the difference is not huge today with ordinary user space
> programs.
>
> So making this an important development issue today isn't very fruitful, I
> think.
> There is, however, no good reason why Knoppix should be confined to
> 32-bits,
> if volunteers take the (mostly administrative) job of making a 64-bits
> version for each release.  Remastering-wise, 32 and 64 bits versions
> should
> behave similarly.
>
> As for the approach, I think I may try out starting from a basic 64-bits
> Debian and see how it works out.
>