A simple thought on multiple platforms

[mac_iste]

Hi there.
Here's something that might help us thinking 'bout the Intel.

From the http://www.debian.org/News/2005/20050606.en.html:

Debian GNU/Linux runs on computers ranging from palmtops and handheld systems to supercomputers, and on nearly everything in between. A total of eleven architectures are supported, including Motorola 68k (m68k), Sun SPARC (sparc), HP Alpha (alpha), Motorola/IBM PowerPC (powerpc), Intel IA-32 (i386) and IA-64 (ia64), HP PA-RISC (hppa), MIPS (mips, mipsel), ARM (arm) and IBM S/390 (s390).

If Linux can run with no problems on eleven different platforms, why should everyone be worried if OsX goes to Intel?
When Linux runs on Intel it still is Linux, the same when it's on PPC. It simply adapts to the processor, nothing more.
I don't think that having an Intel engine in my Powerbook will mean much difference, apart that it will probably be faster (and cooler).

 

[mac_iste]

Sorry, wrong link

The good link should be this: http://www.debian.org/News/2005/20050606.en.html

 

[GFLPraxis]

That's different though. Linux runs on practically every platform, but you have to recompile your applications on each. Linux-PPC apps don't run on Linux-x86 without a recompile.


Apple solved that with universal binaries and rosetta, so IMO there's no problem with the Intel switch.

 

[mac_iste]

Of course, porting Linux is somewhat easier: apps are open source and everyone can compile for the platform he nees.
Yet, I dont think that it will be too difficult for developers to compile apps for both PPC and x86 and provide binaries.