On Wed, 08 Dec 2010 15:17:18 -0600
Dale <rdalek1967@...> wrote:

> 
> What are some things that I should watch for and enable that isn't so 
> obvious for someone new to 64 bit?
> 

The first thing to decide is whether or not you want a pure 64-bit
system or a 64-bit system that keeps 32-bit capability.

I am a purist.  I left 32-bit programs in the dust a long time ago.
But as a consequence there are some things that I will miss because
they are available in 32-bit packages only.  An example would be
Acroread, the PDF viewer, from Adobe.  Without Acroread, you will
only view pdf files through the 64-bit xpdf.  The Intel C++
compiler is another example.  In fact, most commercial software
that bothers to release a Linux version will do so in 32-bit
format only.

So if you need to make use of those offerings, you'll need
to keep 32-bit compatibility.

My own view is that these software developers are way behind
the times and should have long ago made their products in
a 64-bit form.  It's not that difficult to do.

Whatever the choice, pure 64-bit or 64/32, Gentoo makes it
easy.

Frank Peters