The free software has a problem.

[samwdpckr]

FF is available for Raspberry Pi's (AArch64). https://www.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/a ... 4-aarch64/

So?

Then why did you bring it up in the first place?

Did you even read what I wrote?

[Adrian]

MX 23.6 which has a 32-bit version will be supported till 2028, if by that time you don't get a computer that's capable of doing 64-bit (which is almost 25 years since the release of AMD 64-bit CPUs) then yes, MX is not for you.

[whell]

Today I browsed online computer shops and noticed that most new laptops still have only 4 GB of RAM. Desktop computers usually have 8 GB. (I also find it weird to use the word "only" when speaking about a memory amount of more than four billion octets.)

Not to belabor a point, but I just checked Best Buy's web site, which is likely a destination for "normie" computer buyers. I didn't see any laptop or desktop models for sale with less than 8 GB or RAM. 4 GB of RAM is more likely to be found on Android or Chromebook tablets these days.

Regarding Linux and software:

Now many Linux popular Linux distributions have completely dropped the support for 32-bit targets. Even Debian drops support for 32-bit x86 targets, and the list of its supported computing platform is again one entry shorter. Ubuntu even dropped support for older 64-bit x86 CPUs. Considering that Ubuntu has achieved the status of the most well-known beginner-friendly Linux distribution, this means that less people are going to use Linux - instead they just throw their old computer to trash and buy a new one with Windows 11.

Yep, and most Linux distributions are developed by small groups or teams that aren't compensated for their efforts. It should be unsurprising that they would focus their efforts (i.e., maintain support for only 64-bit x86 CPUs). Alternatively, there are distros that cater to owners of lower spec PC's. MS and Apple drop support for older code to support older machines because the cost / benefit to the company is small, and gets smaller with each passing day.

[samwdpckr]

MX 23.6 which has a 32-bit version will be supported till 2028, if by that time you don't get a computer that's capable of doing 64-bit (which is almost 25 years since the release of AMD 64-bit CPUs) then yes, MX is not for you.

This is not just about CPUs that don't support long mode. This is also about 64-bit computers that don't have enough memory to make 64-bit Linux distribution a viable choice, and many of those computers are new. Those 64-bit pointers waste too much memory. But of course 32-bit CPUs also benefit from it if the 32-bit binaries are available.

But this is not going anywhere. Based on your toxic writing style, you don't even want to understand what I'm trying to say. Stuff like this is why free software loses users.

[samwdpckr]

Accidentally a double post.

[CharlesV]

This topic is getting VERY close to being shut down. If you would like to keep it open lets everyone please realize some diplomacy and respect.

[siamhie]

So?

Then why did you bring it up in the first place?

Did you even read what I wrote?

Are you wanting to build Firefox or just install it on Arm64 architecture?

[Adrian]

Stuff like this is why free software loses users.

Oh our loss... I guess you'll get back to Microsoft and Apple that ended 32-bit support years ago.

Microsoft stopped shipping 32-bit versions of Windows 10 to Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) starting with version 2004, which was released in May 2020

The last version of macOS that supported the execution of 32bit applications was macOS 10.14 “Mojave”, and Apple dropped all support for this version in October 2021

Debian and us support it till 2028.

[Nokkaelaein]

OP is trying to paint the picture of Finnish electronics as bleak, outdated, and being left behind by consumption-driven free software projects

Yeah, that's Finland for ya ... Business as usual over here; I'm typing this on a potato a car ran over.

I'd like to offer the counterpoint that Remedy, the studio behind games like Control and the Max Payne series, is based out of Espoo, outside of Helsinki. They've been in business since the mid-1990s. There are several other Finnish game development studios that could also bear mention who don't seem to have this problem.

On a more semi-serious note, indeed, this thread is like... specifically targeted at me, so I'm trying to practice some restraint. Anyway, Finland: check. Gaming industry: check. Minimum RAM in my desktop systems, while working in said industry, hitting 32 gigabytes something like fifteen years ago already: check. I do realize, when seen in the context of computer tech, I'm not a "normie" in the sense OP frames it. However, I'd bet you in a heartbeat, samwdpckr, that if there's some store/chain over here where "normies", as you called 'em, go and get their computers from... it's GIGANTTI ( https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elkj%C3%B8p - also known as Elkjøp and Elgiganten elsewhere, hah). Sits firmly in the "let's buy a freezer and a barbeque and a toilet paper holder and a laptop while we're at it" normie category. Okay.

I just checked their laptop selection. 8 gigabytes of RAM or more: 233 laptops. Less than 8 gigabytes: 14 laptops. Uh oh.

[Nokkaelaein]

you don't even want to understand what I'm trying to say

I, for one, understand what you are saying perfectly. It is not epistemologically possible to understand it better. That's in the nature of perfection here in Finland. The problem isn't in understanding, the problem is that, when understood, your stance (and the way you present it) is so hugely, painfully problematic. You aren't open to actually discussing it, and instead call anyone who disagrees a snob. Why, I never!