The linux test is back

[KernelPanic]

[OFFTOPIC]

Alright, but I usually use -O3, is that ok too ?

O3 is even more extreme optimization[/OFFTOPIC]

[worker201]

[OFFTOPIC]

[OFFTOPIC] Alright, but I usually use -O3, is that ok too ? [/OFFTOPIC]

Of course, -O3 is more optimization.  Although it's only 3 additional flags, and I have had some builders spit at it.  I stick with -O2, just because it's more universal.
http://gcc.gnu.org/onlinedocs/gcc-4.1.1/gcc/Optimize-Options.html#Optimize-Options
[/OFFTOPIC]

[Pathos]

vector linux is working well? i really liked the sound of it but could never get it to work for my video card... a shame really, if it's so good, if it were shite (like kmlinux, the worst linux distro ever) then at least i could feel glad i never got to use it.

oh I mean vector SOHO which is quite a different beast than the original.  I have never ever had a problem compiling on vl SOHO and my nvidia cards have worked perfectly with the nvidia drivers.

[worker201]

I wanted to try Vector, but for some reason, I could never get an uncorrupted ISO from them.  Failed the checksum 4 different times!

[mobrien_12]

[OFFTOPIC] Alright, but I usually use -O3, is that ok too ? [/OFFTOPIC]

Only if you want your programs to take up less disk space/RAM and you don't mind if they may possibly be slower.

Optimization 2 is to have the compiler use all its tricks to make the binary faster.

Optimization 3 is to have the compiler make the compiled binary smaller.

[mobrien_12]

I have read that O3 often doesn't really accomplish that much over O2.  I guess it depends on the code.

[davidnix71]

Kubuntu, Mandriva, Ubuntu, and Debian, Yes.

Yellow Dog, no :
Failed these criteria:
Requires partitioning knowledge
Does not have application library


I think the test needs work. Yellow Dog cost money, which is okay by me. But, there was no explicit question about compiling your own programs from source. I don't mind compiling, but not if it costs money to buy the OS. On that count YD is messed up, imho.

Even Windoze, which cost money (if you don't have the skillz to steal a copy) doesn't require you to compile your own apps.

[adiment]

I got Debian and Ubuntu. Used to use Ubuntu until I realized my APU hates it. And will one day install Debian on my old rig.

[GenuineAdvantage]

[OFFTOPIC]
I certainly hope that when you are building you are using the appropriate C-flags.  Here's my C-flags (for a Pentium 4):
 

Code: [Select]

CFLAGS=-O2 -fomit-frame-pointer -mmmx -msse -mfpmath=sseIf your programs aren't built to take advantage for things like SSE and MMX, then you aren't really getting your money's worth.  Just a friendly reminder that self-building should give you a bit more performance enhancement, if done correctly.
[/OFFTOPIC]

Doesn't the configure script when present do that auto anyways? Also, I think many times a binary will be linked to use optimizations with whichever hardware is present, when it's present. I'm fairly sure of that. And even after learning how to compile, I still find it to be for the birds. It takes a hell of a long time for large programs, compared to getting it from a repo. Compiling would be nice if everything was offered as nicely as the xfce install package. As far as the frame rates of 3d video, to me those tests don't seem reliable as a performance gauge of any single program version. Because a framerate will also be affected by anything else running in the system. Other than that, it's true that the only noticable difference in performance will be against a very poorly configured setup. So no offense to any here, but that's why Gentoo wackos are funny. And yeah, I know there are now some pre-compiled packages for Gentoo available now, but you used to have to compile everything, and probably still have to do it a lot. Sitting there for what accumulated to a very long time, compiling. All for some imaginary performance boost!

[worker201]

Sitting there for what accumulated to a very long time, compiling. All for some imaginary performance boost!

Don't know about others, but I find configuring and installing programs from source to be both intellectually and spiritually satisfying.  Perhaps not so much that I want to do it all the time for every little thing, but I think you need to remember that building from source is a great way to learn how things work.  Especially if they don't configure right!  Everyone ought to experience a pkg-config error at least once - it will teach you more about Linux than any book I've ever seen.

[H_TeXMeX_H]

[OFFTOPIC]

Of course, -O3 is more optimization.  Although it's only 3 additional flags, and I have had some builders spit at it.  I stick with -O2, just because it's more universal.
http://gcc.gnu.org/onlinedocs/gcc-4.1.1/gcc/Optimize-Options.html#Optimize-Options

What about the -mtune= option ?

Would -mtune=pentium4 help any ?

Edit: nope ... looks like it may destablize some programs compiled with this option. Kinda strange but it happen to me a few times.

[/OFFTOPIC]

[Duo Maxwell]

Debian, Ubuntu, Fedora, Mandriva and Kubuntu in that order.

Been using Ubuntu+Automatix for a while now and like it allot.  I started to test linux when I joined here, a nice dude on the BBR forums sent me the Mandrake 8 and 9 install CDs back then cause I was on dial up and was asking if anyone had ever used edmunds $1 linux cd store. Mandrake wasn't so bad, just dog ass slow on the P2 I was running it on. The P2 died on me tho, kept killing floppy drives then one day wouldn't come on anymore. It ended life at the hands of a brick, a chisel a hammer and some small incendiaries.

[worker201]

I don't know how they design that test, but just about everyone gets Ubuntu in their top 5.

I have Mandrake 6 on cd, plus manuals, if you need it, dialup loser...

[Duo Maxwell]

lol, I ain't been on dialup in over 2 years now and have amassed over 3/4th Tb of stuff, and thats just on HDD, I have no Idea on opticals with all the CDs and DVDs.

[davidnix71]

Quote >>  I have Mandrake 6 on cd, plus manuals, if you need it, dialup loser...<
Hey Worker, I resemble that remark. I'm still living on it. I've downloaded 1.14 GB of stuff  on dialup with just iGetter alone. It keeps track for me.

Maybe I'll get dsl one day.