Re: Elecraft Digest, Vol 168, Issue 14

[Elecraft mailing list]

On 12/04/18 17:46, [hidden email] wrote:
> 32-bit Linux is pretty dead as OS on desktops/laptops. Sure, many embedded
> systems still are 32-bit, but the K3 Utility is a desktop application.
>
> Johan, SM0XHJ
Speak for yourself Sir.

There are 100's of 1000's of us out here with older hardware, happily
running current 32 bit os's such as Mint 18.x 32 bit, and all works fine.

Why follow the MS/Apple flock of sheep, just because they are moving to
64 bit systems?

There is no advantage for 99.9% of users, to move to a 64 bit OS,
whatever the flavor.

The hardware wont support the oft quoted 10's of GB of RAM (even if the
CPU might.)   Plus, for the ram we've got, with the system maxed out (be
that 4, 8, 12 or more GB) any given app takes twice the space compared
to 32 bit code, same with the storage.

It's marketing BS foisted on us by the likes of MS and that Fruit company.

Plus you then have to load 32 bit compatibility tools in some OS's, to
carry on running the software you have!

So why bother...

As to the K3/KX3 utility, well, the transfer to the radio is over an 8
bit wide path.  Need I say more.

73.

Dave G0WBX.

______________________________________________________________
Elecraft mailing list
Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
Post: mailto:[hidden email]

This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Message delivered to [hidden email]

[Bj Rollison]

First, just to be transparent I worked as an software engineer at Microsoft for 20 years.

I agree there is sometimes no need for some users to move from a 32-bit system, to a 64-bit system. For example, if you have a computer dedicated in your shack, and mostly run apps for amateur radio or the internet, do not do run multiple programs simultaneously and switch between them frequently or do a lot of code crunching or image processing than you may not need a 64-bit machine. Also, since it is very unlikely that most amateur radio apps will likely be ported to 64-bit anytime soon.

However, there is tremendous advantage of a 64-bit system over a 32-bit system for many users who use their computers for more complex operations besides running a few limited apps and browsing the web.

Simply put, a 64-bit system will process large amounts of data through RAM more efficiently compared to a 32-bit system. In layman's terms that means that searching a large database of QSO's will take less time; especially if you have other apps running in the background.

While a 64-bit system will use more memory space compared to a 32-bit system; it is false to say the space is 2x more.

The 64-bit system also allows users to exceed the 4Gb limit of 32-bit systems. And many modern apps are memory intensive. Also many users who multi-task apps on their computers, use memory intensive programs (photo processing, code crunching, etc.) or use browser apps that are constantly auto refreshing, will greatly benefit from a 64-bit system. Also, while a 64-bit system will use 4GB of RAM more effectively, I personally would not recommend anything less than 8GB of RAM.

BJ
WA7WJR
XV9WJR

______________________________________________________________
Elecraft mailing list
Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
Post: mailto:[hidden email]

This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Message delivered to [hidden email]