Arch Linux

msandahl

Member

From: South Carolina

Registered: 2009-10-15

Posts: 5

New to 64bit linux

I've been running 32bit Arch on an older laptop for awhile and love it. I recently purchased a new Thinkpad with 4G of RAM, and would like to use Arch64.  My question is what is the best way to setup the system to use 32bit programs? Should I just install the 32bit libraries, or create a "Arch64 Install bundled 32bit system" as described in the wiki.  If I just install the 32bit libraries is there anything that needs to be configured in the system, or do the necessary programs just work. Then again, should I just install Arch64 and deal with these issues when they pop up?

Michael

Xyne

Administrator/PM

Registered: 2008-08-03

Posts: 6,965

Website

Re: New to 64bit linux

Turn the question around. Which 32-bit applications do you think you will need on a 64-bit system?

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My Arch Linux Stuff • Forum Etiquette • Community Ethos - Arch is not for everyone

msandahl

Member

From: South Carolina

Registered: 2009-10-15

Posts: 5

Re: New to 64bit linux

I'm not sure there will be any. It seems that pretty much everything supports 64bit, but I am just wondering what is the best way to handle running 32bit apps? Is there any apps that are only 32bit that are commonly used?

wonder

Developer

From: Bucharest, Romania

Registered: 2006-07-05

Posts: 5,941

Website

Re: New to 64bit linux

I'm not sure there will be any. It seems that pretty much everything supports 64bit, but I am just wondering what is the best way to handle running 32bit apps? Is there any apps that are only 32bit that are commonly used?

skype and wine are used a lot. lucky we have bin32-skype and bin32-wine which are working flawless

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Give what you have. To someone, it may be better than you dare to think.

grey

Member

From: Europe

Registered: 2007-08-23

Posts: 679

Re: New to 64bit linux

skype is probably the big one. Other than that check the bin32* packages in AUR. I saw google-earth and realplayer.

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Good ideas do not need lots of lies told about them in order to gain public acceptance.

ngoonee

Forum Fellow

From: Between Thailand and Singapore

Registered: 2009-03-17

Posts: 7,358

Re: New to 64bit linux

I'd recommend a chroot, much less compiling from AUR that way, and easier to handle the dependencies since you're using standard 32-bit packages.

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jasonwryan-Installing Arch is a measure of your literacy. Maintaining Arch is a measure of your diligence. Contributing to Arch is a measure of your competence.
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cobra2

Member

From: deep in Dixie with Arch64

Registered: 2009-09-10

Posts: 27

Re: New to 64bit linux

I run a self compiled and designed chroot. Instead of using arch for the 32bit part I use gentoo. It has a lighter memory footprint. Be warned it's not for the faint of heart.

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Hardware is like a parachute.... works best when open.

msandahl

Member

From: South Carolina

Registered: 2009-10-15

Posts: 5

Re: New to 64bit linux

Thanks for the suggestions. It seems that going with a chroot system is better than the lib32 way.

@cobra2: I'm always open for a challenge, but I think I'll pass on this one.