[ILUG] Suggestions for best 64 bit Linux distro?

[nadir at compsoc.nuigalway.ie]

Quoting Paul Jakma <paul at clubi.ie>:

>
> Well, I went to gentoo.org, clicked on 'About Gentoo' and got:
>
>  	http://www.gentoo.org/main/en/about.xml
>
> "He discovered lots of up-to-date packages that could be auto-built
> using the optimization settings and build-time functionality that
> *he* wanted, rather than what some distro creator thought would be
> best for him".
>
> So I guess you should take it up with the Gentoo people.. cause
> that's certainly a major aspect of how Gentoo is advertised.
>
yes, ok it is a feature, and its true it does give a performance increase, and
in certain situations, It would be usefull to some users. I just think people
are dwelling on it as being 'the main gentoo feature' which it totally isnt.

> As for vast numbers of packages, Debian has that already anyway (and
> Fedora isn't too bad once you add Dag/RF/NewRPMs/bravegnuworld to
> your sources).
>
> BTW: Couple of my machines are quite slow (pentium or P-II class
> machines), I guess Gentoo's super-optimised custom software approach
> is exactly what I need to speed them up, right? How long will it take
> to install Gentoo on a Pentium 233MMX would you know (and time each
> week to keep it up to date). Or would there be any way to compile
> binary packages on a fast machine, for installing on the slow ones?
>

X could take a day to compile on a machine like that, doing a minimal stage 3
install i figure would take about 2 days, of which you will need to spend about
an hour (2 at most) at the machine, assuming you know what you are doing, if you
are a noob to linux, it would take you perhaps an additional day, to actually
learn about what you are doing.
obviously gentoo isnt for users who want a quick install , Id recommend
archlinux for that, but for your main desktop pc, or a nice server where you are
willing to invest some time on the install. It's the way to go imo.

> FC4 installed in about an hour on that machine btw.
>
> regards,
> --
> Paul Jakma	paul at clubi.ie	paul at jakma.org	Key ID: 64A2FF6A
> Fortune:
> "Out of register space (ugh)"
> -- vi
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> Irish Linux Users' Group
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>