Kevin Kofler wrote:
Ikem Krueger wrote:
> "You're pc could be run faster, if you upgrade this operating system
> to the 64bit version of it. You can download them here if you like:
> [Link]"
That gives very little incentive to fetch the correct version. Making the
optimistic assumption and saying "I'm sorry, but this version won't
work" in
the failure case will definitely get everybody to use the optimal version
for their machine. And I think that by now the vast majority of our userbase
uses 64-bit-capable machines.
And, "upgrading to 64bit" actually means "reinstall everything from
scratch"
as a 32->64 upgrade is still impossible, right?
The only reasonable approach is a download panel like:
64bit version, for hardware with 64 bit support such as: (general guidelines)
- desktops newer than 2005
- laptops newer than 2006
- netbooks newer than 2008
[maybe with more accurate dates or rules]
32bit version, for hardware without 64 bit support such as: (general guidelines)
- old machines
- small netbooks
Unsure about this choice?
- the machine you are using now {is 64 bit / is not 64 bit} (so we preselected this
choice for you)
- to check another machine, download this tool and run it
This is supposing the hardware capability (not simply the 64bitness of the
current O.S.) is detectable in a browser; if not the tool has to be used.
The tool can be a small windows exec / small linux script; in alternative,
it could be a small ISO image fedora-detect-arch.iso which just prints
"this machine is 64 bit capable" or "this machine is not 64 bit
capable".
I would also suggest to avoid framing the difference as
32 bit / 64 bit
but use a more aggressive
64 bit capable, 64 bit uncapable
if we want to promote x86_64.
Finally, saying:
- 32 bit (it will run everywhere)
- 64 bit (maybe it will not run)
is definitely the worst way. :-)
Best regards.
--
Roberto Ragusa mail at robertoragusa.it