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Debian is one of the few distros still offering a tier-1, first-party i686 target in 2024. Even a lot of derivative distros (i.e. where it would be minimal effo
by ComputerGuru 2y ago
Debian is one of the few distros still offering a tier-1, first-party i686 target in 2024. Even a lot of derivative distros (i.e. where it would be minimal effort to do the same) have dropped i686.
Given the enormous scope of this transition, I have to wonder how many will be benefiting from this 15 years from now. I don’t question it will have utility, but I wonder about the ROI.
- agwa 2y agoDebian is not switching to 64-bit time_t on their x86 architecture, because they see it as a legacy architecture whose primary use is running legacy binaries. This transition is mainly to benefit 32-bit ARM since it's likely to be used in new systems for many more years.
- pwdisswordfishc 2y agoWow, so the multi-hour package conflict resolution I am going through RIGHT NOW on my 2004 laptop is completely pointless? Good to know.
- snvzz 2y agoYou'd be better off switching to a non-linux system on that hardware. Ideally something that uses 64bit offsets and time_t.
- deleted 2y ago[deleted]
- actionfromafar 2y agoAdjusted for coolness points the ROI is pretty good, though. :) Besides, maybe there will be some digital (ARM?) dust running 32-bit Debian in the future.
- pabs3 2y agoDebian is dropping i686 too. You won't be able to install it soon. Also, the t64 fixes are not happening on i386, since the ABI change that the t64 changes do would break proprietary binaries, and Debian cares more about that use case than about people with ancient i386 hardware, who should just upgrade to amd64 anyway.