[LAU] OT: 64 vs 32 bit?

[david]

Josh Lawrence wrote:
> Hi everyone,
> 
> I'm late to the party when it comes to 64-bit machines, so apologies
> in advance if I am asking something that should be obvious...
> 
> I recently purchased a 64 bit machine and like it a lot, but I've
> noticed that some software that is usually available on a 32 bit
> machine isn't available in the 64 bit repos that I am using.  Can I
> install the 32 bit version of my distro (Debian) on my 64 bit machine?

Sure, that's what I have running on my AMD64 box.

>  I'm assuming that would give me access to all 32 bit software.  It
> would also be a performance hit, correct?

Don't know about that much. On my little Sempron, 64-bit Linux distros 
running from live CD/DVDs seems quicker than the installed 32-bit Linux. 
But that could just be visual - better or newer video drivers.

-- 
David
gnome at hawaii.rr.com
authenticity, honesty, community