Not really true. Plenty of Linux distributions dropped 32bit support years ago and 32bit systems are a lot younger than 20 years (last ones were some Intel Atoms released around 2010).
When talking about Linux desktops it includes distros like Debian, who will support i386 until, at least 2028. Even some fast moving distros like OpenSuse Tumbleweed still support i386.
I have Linux running strongly on two laptops from 2007. If I still had my old Dell from 2003, I'd bet I could get the latest Puppy Linux running on it. Maybe even something like Debian or Arch32, if I maxed out the RAM.
I've tried Arch32 a while ago, the project isn't that well maintained (like I appreciate they're trying), I've had MX Linux before, worked great, just a bit outdated, I moved my 32bit machine to Void Linux, it seems to have the best support yet ! I'm running cutting edge kernel and dev tools on that old fart
Except with that new 64 bit only thing Intel is trying to do, all x86_64 processors have 16-bit and 32-bit mode for backwards compatibility reasons, the processors actually start at 16-bit mode and are raised by the UEFI (or previously, the OS/bootloader) to 64-bit mode. In fact, if your UEFI supports CSM, you can flash MS-DOS 6.22 onto a USB stick and boot from it, and it'll treat it as a floppy drive (many BIOS implementations use floppy disks to emulate usb mass storage devices).
Ya, 64 bit was becoming more common/standard 16ish years ago with vista right? I remember I had to get vista even though I didn't want to because it had support for 64 but.
Chromebooks, if they fit into the use case, are fantastic. All day battery life, boot instantly, seamless migrations to a new device. I got one of these for my parents, grandparents, etc, and I'll never look back.
And windows works fine for most tech illiterate people who just need to use the web and type up word docs/use Excel. Most normal folks aren't tech literate enough or have no reason to bother.
The Android kernel is the upstream Linux LTS kernel with custom patches applied, like most desktop distros. The Android OS is an entirely different tech stack.
Forgot my laptop charger at the office for a week long event this past week and no time to recover it from the office. Had a 13 year old system76 laptop in the closet. Grabbed a spare external SSD (had an internal HDD), put the latest version of Ubuntu on it, and it worked flawlessly for the week without an issue. I maintain a dotfiles repo and keep backups of everything on b2 using rclone that encrypts/decrypts the files. Took less than hour to have my entire workflow ready to go on a new install without relying on proprietary spyware (icloud/one drive).
That's great except that all sounds like some crazy complex jibberish to most folks. Unfortunately most of the public needs a no technical skills required workstation.
You make a solid point. I don't know shit about fixing cars and I am a decade behind on home repair skills after spending most of my life geeking out on Linux.
In the middle I suppose their is an argument to be made that software support doesn't need to stop after a few years. Point I was trying to convey, which I admit is just one anecdote, is that my modern setup worked flawlessly on hardware older than 10 years.
37 Comments
WagnasT@iusearchlinux.fyi · 53 pts · 2y
we need laws that require companies to unlock boot loaders when they drop support, or at least provide the means to do so.
JackGreenEarth@lemm.ee · 40 pts · 2y
Or just always? I buy a device, I want full control over it.
Lucidlethargy@sh.itjust.works · 15 pts · 2y
That is not too much to ask.
rshalom@kbin.social · 25 pts · 2y
Not really true. Plenty of Linux distributions dropped 32bit support years ago and 32bit systems are a lot younger than 20 years (last ones were some Intel Atoms released around 2010).
jmcs@discuss.tchncs.de · 30 pts · 2y
When talking about Linux desktops it includes distros like Debian, who will support i386 until, at least 2028. Even some fast moving distros like OpenSuse Tumbleweed still support i386.
hellfire103@sopuli.xyz · 4 pts · 2y
I'm running crunchbang++ on my i686 box.
roguetrick@kbin.social · 2 pts · 2y
Can I play command and conquer on all i386 Linux install? Otherwise I'm sticking with DOS.
umbrella@lemmy.ml · 3 pts · 2y
hellfire103@sopuli.xyz · 5 pts · 2y
I have Linux running strongly on two laptops from 2007. If I still had my old Dell from 2003, I'd bet I could get the latest Puppy Linux running on it. Maybe even something like Debian or Arch32, if I maxed out the RAM.
notTheCat@lemmy.fmhy.net · 2 pts · 2y
I've tried Arch32 a while ago, the project isn't that well maintained (like I appreciate they're trying), I've had MX Linux before, worked great, just a bit outdated, I moved my 32bit machine to Void Linux, it seems to have the best support yet ! I'm running cutting edge kernel and dev tools on that old fart
Reverendender@sh.itjust.works · 2 pts · 2y
I’m inclined to do this with my old iMac and MacBook from 12 years ago, but I can’t think of anything to do with them after. Donate them maybe?
thejodie@programming.dev · 4 pts · 2y
"32bit systems are a lot younger than 20 years"
I don't follow. The i386 is almost 40 years old now. Can you elaborate?
vrighter@discuss.tchncs.de · 5 pts · 2y
it may have began 4 decades ago, but what matters is that only one decade ago new hardware was still being released.
thejodie@programming.dev · 2 pts · 2y
And new processors stopped supporting x86-32 a decade ago?
KSPAtlas@sopuli.xyz · 2 pts · 1y
Except with that new 64 bit only thing Intel is trying to do, all x86_64 processors have 16-bit and 32-bit mode for backwards compatibility reasons, the processors actually start at 16-bit mode and are raised by the UEFI (or previously, the OS/bootloader) to 64-bit mode. In fact, if your UEFI supports CSM, you can flash MS-DOS 6.22 onto a USB stick and boot from it, and it'll treat it as a floppy drive (many BIOS implementations use floppy disks to emulate usb mass storage devices).
vrighter@discuss.tchncs.de · 0 pts · 2y
nope, new processors still do. At least on intel/amd processors. it's only software that decided to drop support
Astroturfed@lemmy.world · 1 pts · 2y
Ya, 64 bit was becoming more common/standard 16ish years ago with vista right? I remember I had to get vista even though I didn't want to because it had support for 64 but.
tabularasa@lemmy.world · 22 pts · 2y
Chromebooks, if they fit into the use case, are fantastic. All day battery life, boot instantly, seamless migrations to a new device. I got one of these for my parents, grandparents, etc, and I'll never look back.
Astroturfed@lemmy.world · 3 pts · 2y
And windows works fine for most tech illiterate people who just need to use the web and type up word docs/use Excel. Most normal folks aren't tech literate enough or have no reason to bother.
dot@sopuli.xyz · 1 pts · 2y
chicken@lemmy.dbzer0.com · 12 pts · 2y
I replaced ChromeOS with Linux forever ago when they dropped support for my hardware. It would be a brick if not for Linux.
SpaceNoodle@lemmy.world · 8 pts · 2y
ChromeOS uses the Linux kernel ...
hellfire103@sopuli.xyz · 11 pts · 2y
So does Android. It's been torn apart and locked down so much, however, that it becomes a totally different OS.
loutr@sh.itjust.works · 4 pts · 2y
The Android kernel is the upstream Linux LTS kernel with custom patches applied, like most desktop distros. The Android OS is an entirely different tech stack.
hellfire103@sopuli.xyz · 2 pts · 2y
Thankyou.
looz@sopuli.xyz · 1 pts · 2y
I recall it being gentoo based at least early on.
theshatterstone54@feddit.uk · 1 pts · 2y
Yes. Still is. Don't kniw why you were downvoted. Maybe some people are confusing the ChromeOS base with Crostini (a Debian container)
sloppy_diffuser@sh.itjust.works · 5 pts · 2y
Forgot my laptop charger at the office for a week long event this past week and no time to recover it from the office. Had a 13 year old system76 laptop in the closet. Grabbed a spare external SSD (had an internal HDD), put the latest version of Ubuntu on it, and it worked flawlessly for the week without an issue. I maintain a dotfiles repo and keep backups of everything on b2 using rclone that encrypts/decrypts the files. Took less than hour to have my entire workflow ready to go on a new install without relying on proprietary spyware (icloud/one drive).
Astroturfed@lemmy.world · 7 pts · 2y
That's great except that all sounds like some crazy complex jibberish to most folks. Unfortunately most of the public needs a no technical skills required workstation.
sloppy_diffuser@sh.itjust.works · 3 pts · 2y
You make a solid point. I don't know shit about fixing cars and I am a decade behind on home repair skills after spending most of my life geeking out on Linux.
In the middle I suppose their is an argument to be made that software support doesn't need to stop after a few years. Point I was trying to convey, which I admit is just one anecdote, is that my modern setup worked flawlessly on hardware older than 10 years.
Kolanaki@yiffit.net · 4 pts · 2y
This implies that LeapFrogs are better computers.
hellfire103@sopuli.xyz · 2 pts · 2y
Well, LeapFrogs are for kids. Chromebooks are supposed to be for... students, I guess?
RIP_Cheems@lemmy.world · 3 pts · 2y
At least our children may suffer a little less from those abominations.
CookieJarObserver@sh.itjust.works · 2 pts · 2y
hellfire103@sopuli.xyz · 2 pts · 2y
Damn! What architecture is it?
CookieJarObserver@sh.itjust.works · 2 pts · 2y
hellfire103@sopuli.xyz · 1 pts · 2y
Wow, that's an old one. I guess your best bet is FreeDOS, then.
CookieJarObserver@sh.itjust.works · 4 pts · 2y
CookieJarObserver@sh.itjust.works · 1 pts · 2y
dot@sopuli.xyz · 2 pts · 2y
fadingembers@lemmy.blahaj.zone · 2 pts · 2y
The three finger swipe between tabs gesture is pretty sweet though and I wish I could have it on other operating systems
Kolanaki@pawb.social · 2 pts · 1y
A computer used to just be a person who did math.
I wanna get Doom running on one of them.
Draconic_NEO@sopuli.xyz · 1 pts · 2y
Unless you used Ubuntu 32 bit, then they'll just drop you like a sack of potatoes, in that regard Canonical is no better than Google
Sunshine@lemmy.ca · 1 pts · 1y
Linux phones supported for 10 years looking towards Google promising a bare 7 years.