64bit linux desktop is not ready for use yet - Ubuntu 7.04 installation on HP Compaq 6515b notebook
After installed the Ubuntu 7.04 with 2.6.20-15-generic x86_64 kernel on my HP Compaq 6515b notebook,
(refer to my blog :
Ubuntu 7.04 installation on HP Compaq 6515b notebook installation- AMD Turion(tm) 64 MK-38 )
I found that a lot of 32 bit application are not ready on 64 bit Linux.
The most impact are the lack of plugin for FireFox browser, such as Flash and java plugin for 64 bit linux.
Flash and Jave are almost the must have plugins for web browsing.
i.e. You will not be able to watch Youtube with out them.
Most of the desktop user may stop to use the 64 bit linux for the problem on web browsing .
For the Flash plugin , Adobe currently provides the latest version of Flash for Linux x86 only not for 64bit Linux.
Although I saw a strong request to Adobe to develop 64bit flash plugin for 64 bit Linux by the Web users ,
Adobe has not response the request and do nothing to support 64 bit Linux at this point.
See the links : http://www.petitiononline.com/lin64swf/petition.html
My HP 6515b notebook came with Window Vista 64 bit installed,. I downloaded FlashPlayer Version 9,0,45,0 from Adobe.
The Windows Vista 64 bit can run the flash and watch Youtub both on IE 7 and FireFox with out problem.
Therefore , I guest that Adobe may be facing a big pressure form Microsoft to not support 64 bit Linux for business reason.
However , this is not fair to the Linux 64 bit users in the world.
I suggest the lawer in USA and European court should have a look in this case .
Will it be possible to fire a law suite to Adobe and Microsoft for abused monopoly power in its handling of 64 bit Desktop Operating System sales
and Web browser sales by controlling the most popular browser plugins .
We have to watch the monopoly on 64 bit OS . The 64 bit world is coming.
Ubuntu suggested to install two open-source implementations currently under development. One is Gnash and the other is Swfdec.
I tried both of them. Swfdec did not work both on Youtub and Adobe flash site. Gnash was hanged when start to play the flash. Both open-source implementations are not working .
So, there are no solution for Debian and Ubuntu 64 Bit Linux for flash plugin now .
To be cont...
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To overcome the flash
To overcome the flash problem, you can either install a 32-bit firefox, or use nspluginwrapper. You can refer to this page: http://ketan.padegaonkar.name/2007/08/01/flash-player-on-64-bit-firefox-...
No , the 32-bit is not my option.
No, The 32-bit firefox is not my option.
32 bit solution is only a temp solution for the normal user but not for us ( 64 bit generation ) .
The closed sources and open sources should think about the support on the 64 bit application.
As, the day for 64 bit is coming.
K. M. Lau
Ubuntu 7.10 use nspluginwrapper to make 32-bit flashplugin work
There are many discussion in Ubuntu developer/user mail list while many requests on more support on 64-bit Ubuntu.
Most of they ask for packaging 32-bit firefox in 64-bit Ubuntu officilally. But the request is rejected coz of the core developers are busy and see not much value on such an issues. One of the main point stated by the core developers is that 64-bit is meaningless for desktop environment. It is great for server, but for desktop the improve is very low. I'm so poor that have no money to buy a new 64-bit PC. So I can't compare the performance. May be you can give use more information about that.
The question come out that problem closed source bring many problems. People may port to 64-bit or any platform if it is free software.
For Gnash, it is said there is a great improvement in this recently months. At least I heard it can run youtube few months ago.
Besides, I heard from The Linux Action Show that the flashplugin works in 64-bit Ubuntu 7.10. They haven't state how ubuntuhack on it. As I check the postinst script of the package. it use the nspluginwrapper (
http://gwenole.beauchesne.info/projects/nspluginwrapper/) to make 32-bit plugin work on 64-bit firefox.
nspluginwrapper also available in Debian lenny (testing)
As I have said, I have not 64-bit PC to check, you need to check yourself.