Alex Sleat

A Step Backwards – x86_64 to i386

Right now for me at least, the con’s of 64bit linux still seem to outweigh it’s pro’s. In that the constant struggle to get the majority of software and API’s I use working well (or at all) under 64bit to me just isn’t worth the little performance gain.

The problem really lies in those programs which aren’t used by a huge number of people, things like openCV and player/stage I am able to get running under 64bit, however what would be a relatively simple and painless process on 32bit system turns into a much longer and sometimes painful process which ultimately ends in the program running so badly sometimes there’s no point in me running it at all.

Ubuntu has, since the last time I used the 64bit variant, much improved the installation of the more popular aspects so generally opting for the 64bit version is now simple for the casual user (web, email, video and music). However I feel that at this moment in time its stuck in a sort of limbo where developers don’t feel the need to produce 64bit programs because not enough users demand it . Meanwhile users are not drawn to it because of the lack of native 64bit applications and the headaches involved getting these programs to work if no 64 version exists.

The nice thing however about all this is that 30 minutes after popping in the CD and rebooting my laptop to load up the liveCD I’m already watching videos and writing this from my full fresh installation, around 4-5 minutes of guided setup followed by a 20 minute format/install the restart and boom. Here I am.

Tags: 32bit, 64bit, i386, install, Linux, Ubuntu, x86_64
Posted in Linux · November 18th, 2009 · Comments (0)

Install i386 packages on amd64 – Ubuntu

sudo dpkg --force-architecture -i package.deb

Tags: 64bit, amd64, architecture, force, i386, package, Ubuntu
Posted in Ubuntu · November 4th, 2009 · Comments (0)

My Ubuntu 9.10 Post Installation Guide (64-bit)

MP3/Flash/DVD
sudo apt-get install ubuntu-restricted-extras
Music Applet
sudo apt-get install music-applet
Banshee
sudo apt-get install banshee
Mirage – Banshee Plugin
sudo apt-get install banshee-extension-mirage
Before Mirage can be used you need to make it scan your music so in Banshee Tools->Mirage Playlist Generator->Rescan the Music Collection as shown below

dockbarX
sudo add-apt-repository ppa:dockbar-main sudo apt-get update && sudo apt-get install dockbarx
Chrome
Google Chrome 64bit .deb
Dropbox
Ubuntu 9.10 (x86_64) – Download Page
Wine
sudo apt-get install wine
Spotify
Once Wine has been installed this allows you to use the windows version of Spotify on linux and it work’s pretty well so you can grab that here. Once downloaded if your running Gnome/KDE you should be able to just run the file (just double click it) and it will begin the installation. It’s found under Applications->Wine->Programs.
Sensors
sudo apt-get install lm-sensors
Two Finger Scrolling
System->Preferences->Mouse
Under the Touchpad tab change the scrolling to Two-finger scrolling.

Gedit Plugins
sudo apt-get install gedit-plugins
gTwitter
sudo apt-get install gtwitter