x86-64 on i386 (was Re: Promoting i386 version over x86_64?)

[Bruno Wolff III]

On Mon, Dec 14, 2009 at 00:32:15 +0000,
  John5342 <john5342 at googlemail.com> wrote:
> 
> Actually i think the reason AMDs approach worked was because it was
> backward compatible with ix86 so instead of having to have an OS ready
> up front and people having to migrate wholesale customers could start
> upgrading to x86_64 processors slowly while still using 32bit OS. Then
> as 64bit OS becomes available people can use that whilst still
> enjoying their favorite apps that haven't yet been ported to 64bit. In
> short it was evolutionary rather than revolutionary.

I think that was also needed. But I don't think they would have been able to
get traction in the server market without having the prompt linux / gcc
support.