Yes, in the real world, we all have to run applications that are not<\/b> provided via the excellent<\/i> universe of Debian software packages. Some of these, even have to be binaries that you download via the Internet.<\/p>\n
But with stupid error messages like these:<\/p>\n
[-(~\/Downloads\/skype-1.4.0.58_alpha)> .\/skype
bash: .\/skype: No such file or directory
<\/pre>\nIt sure makes one wonder, doesn’t it? Thats right, this is 64-bit Ubuntu trying to run a 32-bit application. In fact, these failures will apply to upstream Thunderbird (because in Ubuntu’s infinite wisdom, its stuck at Thunderbird 1.5), GizmoProject and so on. On Fedora, multi-arch is handled a lot better – RPM actually brings in useful 32-bit libraries, and you can run upstream Skype, Gizmo, Thunderbird, with no worries. Its all transparent.<\/p>\n
I just wish there was better error reporting. So I don’t have to fire up strace (I sure as heck don’t expect my mother do to so) to see what the real problem is. <\/p>\n
Note to Debian-based-distros (Ubuntu in particular): You’re a big boy now. Dell is going to ship you. Most likely on Core 2 Duo machines. People are not going to want to run 32-bit Ubuntu on them, because they bought an advertised 64-bit processor. Laptops (mine even) support 4GB of RAM out of the box (yeah, except 2GB chips cost an arm and a leg).<\/p>\n
I’m told that a 32-bit chroot is what I need to set up to make my life better again. Is that so?<\/p>\n
Technorati Tags: ubuntu<\/a>, multi-arch<\/a>, multiarch<\/a>, 32bit<\/a>, 64bit<\/a>, binaries<\/a>, dpkg<\/a>, chroot<\/a><\/p>\n
Share this:<\/h3>