On Sunday, 9th of August 2009, Dennis Myhand wrote: > Mac User #330250 wrote: > > Gentoo is the only Linux I know of that has a 64-bit PowerPC port. > > I'm a bit confused as to your reason for wanting to do this. You want > to run a 64 bit *nix system on a G-5. I thought that was what OS X was. > I thought that was why Apple built OS X around the Mach kernel.
Mac OS X 10.4 has a 64-bit kernel to allow access to more than 4 GB of RAM, Mac OS X 10.5 has some more 64-bit system software but the majority of the operating systems, especially the applications, are 32-bit. 32-bit is not a problem. The G4 was a pure 32-bit processor. The G5 is a 64-bit processor that can run 32-bit G4 code natively. So, for the G5 it doesn't matter if you through 64-bit or 32-bit code at it, it just runs it. The only problem is that a 32-bit application will always be limited to 4 GB addressable memory. So, imagine a Photoshop that has the power to use all the 16 GB RAM that the "Late 2005" G5 can have. Wouldn't that be great? So, openSUSE is a Linux operating system, that has a PowerPC port with a 64-bit kernel for the G5 and a 32-bit userland. Just like Mac OS X. Gentoo Linux on the other hand leaves you with the choice to set up a system with a 64-bit kernel and either a 32-bit or a 64-bit userland. With all its advantages and disadvantages. The advantage of a 64-bit userland is clear: each program and application, like GIMP or even server stuff like MySQL and Apache, can use the whole RAM. The disadvantage: some applications are not 64-bit tested and break, or don't compile at all. > I > have been using 10.4.11 for about a year now, and have used Linux on > Intel/AMD PCs since 1998, and the difference between Linux and OS X is > that Apple pays their programmers more. A LOT MORE. Just as I said, OS X is nice. I like it. But I'm used to the Gentoo way, meaning, that you *have to* dig deep into the system, compile everything yourself and configure all the applications by hand. When you first set up a system, this is hard work, but once it's running, your lucky to have had the choice for all what there is running. It's the opposite to Mac OS X, or even Ubuntu/Kubuntu/Xubuntu, YDL and openSUSE. Their approach is: just install and be going. > However, if you > are truly determined to do this thing, your best hope is on a PPC Linux > forum where there are people who have successfully done what you seek to > do. But (and ymmv) I have run Linux, and I have run OS X, and I much > prefer OS X for fit, finish, and functionality. Peace, Dennis Year. I wanted to know if one of you ever did it, or if I'm the only "crazy guy" around. Thanks for the answers. Cheers, Andreas aka Mac User #330250 --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ You received this message because you are subscribed Low End Mac's G3-5 List, a group for those using G3, G4, and G5 desktop Macs - with a particular focus on Power Macs. The list FAQ is at http://lowendmac.com/lists/g-list.shtml and our netiquette guide is at http://www.lowendmac.com/lists/netiquette.shtml To post to this group, send email to [email protected] To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected] For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/g3-5-list?hl=en Low End Mac RSS feed at feed://lowendmac.com/feed.xml -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---
