[OS X TeX] 64-bit binaries in TeXLive 2010

[Ross Moore]

Hi Claus,

On 04/12/2009, at 7:42 AM, Claus Gerhardt wrote:

> Since the speed improvement of the 64-bit binaries is clearly  
> noticeable, e.g., using Flashmode, let me suggest to include OS X  
> 64-bit binaries in TL 2010 as a standard option known by install-tl  
> as well as by texlive manager.
>
> To relieve the burden of compiling additional binaries from Richard  
> Koch let me also suggest, at least tentatively, that the TeXLive  
> support  for ppc should be frozen to TL 2009. The PowerPCs which  
> are still in use are clearly outdated by any measure and there is  
> no point to develop software for machines and OS that are a few  
> generations behind, especially since TL 2009 should be more than  
> sufficient for texing.
>
> This is a realistic view and those who are still using a PPC let me  
> advice, if you ever had tried a new IntelMac you wouldn't want to  
> switch back to your PPC.

I cannot agree with this Claus.

Just walk down the corridor and look at what machines your colleagues
are using. Most mathematicians are typically very slow to update
their computers and computing techniques. Academics in some other
fields are doubtless even more so. Their main interests lie elsewhere,
so why should they go to the expense and inconvenience of changing
for no clearly necessary reason?

Changing both the computing platform and the software is a very big
thing for someone who is not used to doing it quite frequently.
It should be possible to say, first try out MacTeX on an older machine,
then once used to that change, go ahead with purchasing a newer,
machine --- provided, of course, budgeting allows for this.


>
> Claus


Cheers,

	Ross

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Ross Moore                                       ross at maths.mq.edu.au
Mathematics Department                           office: E7A-419
Macquarie University                             tel: +61 (0)2 9850 8955
Sydney, Australia  2109                          fax: +61 (0)2 9850 8114
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