best x64 linux distro...

[Journer]

which one has the most support and is more stable? all i have even heard of was debian port for 64 and gentoo...

 

[silverpig]

I'm pretty sure all the major distros have x64 versions out now. I've used bot gentoo and ubuntu and I find gentoo's to be more mature. However, with how quickly a lot of the 64-bit apps are progressing, I've gone to ubuntu on my 64-bit box just because it's a bit easier to manage and deal with.

 

[Nothinman]

I'm using the AMD64 Debian port right now and everything is fine, just as it was on i386 except for the occasional 32-bit thing that won't work (i.e. w32codecs and flash) so I have a 32-bit chroot setup for if I ever need them.

 

[SUOrangeman]

64-bit distros that I'm aware of:

CentOS - http://www.centos.org/ (based on RHEL source)
Debain's is unofficial
Gentoo - is what I use
Kanotix - http://www.kanotix.net/ (based on ?Debian?; no 64-bit update since 2005)
Mandriva - http://www.mandriva.com/en/ (x86 and x86_64 now on same DVD)
Fedora Core 6 - fresh as of today!
Sabayon - http://www.sabayonlinux.org/ (based on Gentoo; has ?XGL/Compiz/Beryl? built-in)
SuSE - http://en.opensuse.org/
VLOS - http://desktop.vidalinux.com/ (website down this week after last week's release)
Xenoppix - http://unit.aist.go.jp/itri/knoppix/xen/index-en.html (?only? 64-bit KNOPPIX in existence?)

OK, there are a few others, but the list above is what I claim to have downloaded and archive locally. Don't forget that FreeBSD and Solaris are among the other Unices available in 64-bit.

-SUO

 

[Nothinman]

Debain's is unofficial

Technically true but only because etch isn't released yet. If you install and use sid or etch the AMD64 support is 'official'.

 

[Journer]

ive used debian before...years ago...
right now i'm b/t Deb, Ubuntu, and Fedora...hmmmmmmmmm

 

[Gamingphreek]

Ubunutu is based off of Debia. I tried SuSE briefly and it was very nice, but Ubuntu (Actually Kubuntu) (<-Ubuntu using the KDE interface instead of the gnome interface) is the first to get me stuck on Linux.

Even though all of these support x64 beware the there is no flash player support (You must install a 32bit version of Firefox and install the 32bit Flash for the 32bit version). Additionally, some drivers and applications aren't there yet for the 64bit OS. I, personally, NEED my Windows machine to back up the 64bit version so I can use Flash apps and what not.

-Kevin

 

[skrewler2]

There is no "best" linux distro. Try a few and use what you like.

As far as x64 Linux distro, what kind of system are you running and what is the purpose of the machine? for a normal user there really isn't much point in running x64.

 

[Journer]

Originally posted by: skrewler2
There is no "best" linux distro. Try a few and use what you like.

As far as x64 Linux distro, what kind of system are you running and what is the purpose of the machine? for a normal user there really isn't much point in running x64.

file, web, dns, etc. server

 

[ShawnReeves]

I have enjoyed using different distros of Linux in the past but I always seem to get bored with them because Linux is so limited to what you can do. If i get in the mood for BF2 or CSS I have to log off and log into XP. It's not just games either, it seems to be common with most programs. Maybe im missing something in linux. One thing you cant miss is the price and I realize this. Besides File Servers, music, movies, chat and internet, what else can be run in linux?


Edit: Forgot to add Open Office as being a cool addon.

 

[Nothinman]

I have enjoyed using different distros of Linux in the past but I always seem to get bored with them because Linux is so limited to what you can do.

Funny, I have the exact opposite experience.

Besides File Servers, music, movies, chat and internet, what else can be run in linux?

How about saying what you think you can't do in Linux and someone will point you in the right direction?

 

[skrewler2]

Originally posted by: Journer

Originally posted by: skrewler2
There is no "best" linux distro. Try a few and use what you like.

As far as x64 Linux distro, what kind of system are you running and what is the purpose of the machine? for a normal user there really isn't much point in running x64.

file, web, dns, etc. server

explain again why you want x64? since you don't seem to have a clue, SuSE or ubuntu sound like good options for you

 

[Nothinman]

explain again why you want x64?

Because he has the hardware and wants to use it?

 

[ShawnReeves]

Originally posted by: Nothinman

I have enjoyed using different distros of Linux in the past but I always seem to get bored with them because Linux is so limited to what you can do.

Funny, I have the exact opposite experience.

Besides File Servers, music, movies, chat and internet, what else can be run in linux?

How about saying what you think you can't do in Linux and someone will point you in the right direction?

I think I know where your going with this. Your going to mention the Windows Emulation software running within Linux. But Can you run games like BF2 or CSS?
I would ultimately love to ditch windows and run soley Linux. Can someone show me the LIGHT?

 

[Journer]

Originally posted by: Nothinman

explain again why you want x64?

Because he has the hardware and wants to use it?

bingo

 

[skrewler2]

Using x64 is fine, just know that unless you have a ton of RAM the benefits don't outweigh the drawbacks, in my opinion.. a lot of packages still don't have x64 binaries.. but if you're really just using your x64 computer as a fileserver/DNS/dhcp (seems like kind of a waste to use your powerful x64 proc with tons of ram on this), using an x64 distro wont be a problem.


and, of course, you can still run i386 binaries in x64 linux.. but I still don't see the point of running x64 for a home computer

 

[Nothinman]

I think I know where your going with this. Your going to mention the Windows Emulation software running within Linux.

Not really and to be pedantic WINE isn't an emulator. I just don't have any Windows programs that I need or want to use.

But Can you run games like BF2 or CSS?

Actually yes, I haven't tried it but I know people who have. I know a handful of people that play WoW in WINE pretty regularly, or at least used to since I haven't really kept up on their day to day stuff.

a lot of packages still don't have x64 binaries..

The only problematic package I can think of is O and it's crap anyway. And flash doesn't count because that's closed source and there's not AMD64 ports for Windows either.

and, of course, you can still run i386 binaries in x64 linux.. but I still don't see the point of running x64 for a home computer

And now that I have one I don't see the point of not running the AMD64 port, everything I want to run 'just works' so far except for flash and I'm thinking that it's a good thing that it doesn't work in my main browser. I did setup a 32-bit chroot for when I do need it, but that's happened like once so far.

 

[batmang]

ubuntu is great.

 

[imported_Uber]

I have tried:

Debian Sarge - worked ok; couldnt really evaluate fairly beacuase I didnt know what I was doing. Also, when I set it to Gnome, the screensaver didnt work.
Damn Small Linux - cant tell you much, havent played around with it much. I think its KNOPPIX based
PHLACK - hard to use, also havent played with it much
Ubuntu - I love it, and am going to wipe the HD on my parents old ME machine and Ubuntu-ize it, just to have more Ubuntu in the world.

EDIT: oops, we're talking about x64 only here. soem of these aren't.

 

[kEnToNjErOmE]

Originally posted by: Nothinman

explain again why you want x64?

Because he has the hardware and wants to use it?

LOL good answer.