Linux Questions

[Steve Watford]

Ok so im CONSIDERING switching to a Linux Distro with the x64 arcitecture, probally Ubuntu, as I've had the x86 version and liked it a lot. Now I have a few questions about Linux compared to Windows which might make me change, or might not.

1. If im using x64 and want to run, say, Steam with Counter Strike : Source will WINE be able to run it?

2. Does Linux support the same WoW64 features as Windows, like backwards compatability with 32bit apps.

3. Is x64 stable enough to run as desktop OSand is there any major flaws?

edit: and if anyone knows is M&M Dark Messiah works, please tell =D

 

[cb_linus]

1. If im using x64 and want to run, say, Steam with Counter Strike : Source will WINE be able to run it?

It should be possible, though mileage may vary. I've had HL2 running with Cedega but never got it working with Wine, though the last time I attempted was some time ago. Might be better to dual boot with Windows if gaming is important.

2. Does Linux support the same WoW64 features as Windows, like backwards compatability with 32bit apps.

WoW64 - never heard of it. 32bit apps run perfectly alongside 64bit apps on my computer.

3. Is x64 stable enough to run as desktop OSand is there any major flaws?

Can't say I've had any instability issues with 64bit - I'm even using a pre-beta window manager and everything seems to be running along fine No major flaws but you may end up using the odd 32bit app (such as mplayer) to take advantage of 32bit only codecs. 64bit flash isn't out yet though it's possible to get that working with 64bit Firefox.

 

[Dev2]

From what I have heard you may be better off sticking with 32 bit Ubuntu. Unless you need the features 64 bit offers there isn't a lot of incentive for you to switch as there will be that extra heart ache in getting some of the things done such as running steam and counter strike source etc.

My €.02

 

[BillytheImpaler]

x86-64 is OK as most apps are just recompiled with different flags. There's no flash plugin for x86-64 Firefox so you'd have to install the 32-bit version of Firefox to use it.

In general 32-bit is easier and more mature. I wouldn't run the 64-bit version unless I had a compelling reason to do so. As-is I, like most other computer users, have little use for 64-bit integers or the extended memory addressing capabilities.

EDIT: Oh yeah, HL2 will run but only in Cedega. Wine's Direct3D capabilities are not up to snuff.

 

[cb_linus]

There's no flash plugin for x86-64 Firefox so you'd have to install the 32-bit version of Firefox to use it.

True, but you can use nspluginwrapper, but overall, unless you have 64bit specific tasks you might be better with 32bit Ubuntu - you may have a better chance with Steam and Wine too on 32bit (some help on that btw ).

 

[fumbles]

Wine sucks on 64bit. You'll use the 32bit version anyway.
64bit is a waste of time, frankly its rubbish. With a default install of the 64bit of Ubuntu you get the 32bit libraries anyways, Fedora stuffs this up BAD!!!

Its jsut not worth it.

 

[Steve Watford]

Im going to be dual booting between XP x86 and Ubuntu x64 as i've never really had any solid x64 OS. (last was beta 2 of Vista x64, which was very bad ) Im going to be running pritty much everything from XP anyway (Games, Multimedia etc) I just want to have a play around with a 64-bit OS and a Linux OS, so both in 1 is fantastic.

 

[LadFromWales]

I was unaware that Flash ran in any 64bit environment, let alone Linux! I went with X86 simply because it is more mature, and has a lot more going for it, especially when it comes to running Windows applications etc. Oh, and ntfs-3g.