How long will 64bit Ubuntu users have to wait?

[Kilz _]

>From: Mark Shuttleworth <mark at canonical.com>
>To: Kilz _ <kilzzz at hotmail.com>
>CC: ubuntu-devel at lists.ubuntu.com
>Subject: Re: How long will 64bit Ubuntu users have to wait?
>Date: Sun, 10 Sep 2006 01:07:15 +0100
>
>Kilz _ wrote:
> > I have asked this question a few times. Now I'm asking it here. How much
> > longer will 64bit systems users be second class citizens? How much 
>longer
> > will we have to jump through hoops to get the 64bit version to work like 
>the
> > 32bit one does? How much longer will 64bit system users be told to 
>install
> > the 32bit version of Ubuntu on the forums. Don't think I'm asking for 
>things
> > that cant be done. Its just things I cant do, even though I have tried.
> > I know multiarch is being worked on by Debian and for some strange 
>reason
> > 64bit users have to wait on Debian to do the development.
>Hmm.... actually, what progress there is on that front has been lead by
>Canonical employees, mostly, with some help from HP and other companies.
>It's not a substantial priority for Ubuntu I'm afraid, though I agree it
>would be very nice. If companies want to fund the development, we can do
>it, but it's not something I'll put resources into when there are other
>basic things that IMO improve the lives of more people.
>
>Mark

Thank you very much for replying to me Mr Shuttleworth
I am aware of the work that Canonical did with HP looking at dpkg 2.0. 
http://multiarch.alioth.debian.org/dpkg2.pdf I also realize that full 
multiarch was never in the immediate plans. I was hoping to see at least a 
step in that direction.  I do hope that 64bit Ubuntu users will see full 
multiarch eventually.
64bit use is growing each day. Intel and AMD are both producing 64bit chips. 
My main concern is making 64bit Ubuntu better in the short term. By getting 
a few more 32bit packages available to make life easier for those ever 
increasing number of 64bit users. Users who are having a hard time getting 
things to work when switching from Windows.
A common question on the 64bit section of the forums is whats missing, and 
how hard is getting the 64bit version to do those things they need. While 
some people may not like it most people coming from windows want flash and 
other proprietary formats.
I do think 64bit is a area that Linux can shine. 64bit Windows is lacking 
and there is an opportunity to draw more people to use Linux as a result. 
Without ease of use those people  may not chose to use Ubuntu. It may not be 
seen as a option to power the newest computers as they are increasingly 
powered by 64bit chips.
I know resources are limited. Lets hope that if Canonical cant at this time 
do it, someone else can. But anyway, Thank you for Ubuntu.

Jim

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