On Tue, 2007-03-06 at 16:43 -0500, David Zeuthen wrote:
On Tue, 2007-03-06 at 16:26 -0500, Jesse Keating wrote:
> > Do we want to include 32-bit packages at all for x86_64? I don't see why
> > we would... what's the rationale?
>
> Given that the user can install packages to the liveCD, and that they are left
> with what is on the LiveCD once they install the system, and may want to use
> 32bit software, we should offer some ability to take advantage of their
> x86_64/32bit capability.
I don't really get this... so you want to add 32-bit packages to a
64-bit live cd... just so they don't have to pull in 32-bit base
packages (such as glibc) when installing a 32-bit app? What pieces of
software did you have in mind?
So I guess I'm suggest to just install 64-bit packages and don't bother
pulling in any 32-bit packages until they're needed. What's wrong with
that?
Because like it or not, people run a lot of software that's not packaged
as an RPM. And so there's no good way for them to say "what 32bit
libraries do I maybe need here". A huge amount of the reason why x86_64
has succeeded where, eg, ppc or ia64 haven't is *BECAUSE* of this
compatibility. The fact that you can just use your 32bit apps without
having to think about it is a major benefit to the platform. And that's
a message that has been very strongly and loudly communicated by
non-technical users and customers who want their software to just work.
> > Btw, you didn't answer my question though- can you do
package selection
> > in kickstart based on what arch it is?
>
> I don't believe so.
Perhaps that's something it needs to do. We're going to end up seeing
size differences in ISO files for archs. For example x86 livecd may be
30MB smaller than ppc livecd; that space can and should be used for
something useful such as more themes, more promotional materials or
whatever.
When the kickstart inheritance lands, that provides an easy way of doing
this. I still don't think that it's something that you _want_. One of
the advantages of Linux has always been that you get a consistent
experience regardless of the architecture that you're on. The live CD
should be the same idea here.
Jeremy