Since the dawn of 64-bit Linux distros, they have included 32-bit versions of browsers such as Firefox, because there aren’t 64-bit versions of plugins such as Java (the 64-bit version doesn’t have a plugin) or Flash.
A couple of days ago, however, I was reading the “what’s new” list for Suse 10.3 Alpha 3, and found this entry:
On x86-64: Firefox is now a 64-bit package and uses nspluginwrapper to handle 32-bit i386 plugins if needed.
Naturally, I had to investigate. I downloaded a 64-bit build of Firefox from Autofox, and nspluginwrapper. With that wrapper, I can use Flash without any problems. (Not Java, though; I think Blackdown offers a 64-bit plugin, but it’s Java 1.4.2 only. But I have found out that I don’t miss Java in the browser at all, for the past few days.)
The browser feels faster. I tend to use bookmark folders to open dozens of bookmarks at the same time on different tabs, which actually makes the browser “hang” for a couple of seconds, and those delays seem shorter now. No, I didn’t do any benchmarks. But the overall experience just “feels” better. It even appears to be more stable, though that may actually come from the fact that I’m using a 2.0.0.4pre build, which is the latest version (2.0.0.3) plus bugfixes… or maybe it’s because this version was built with a non-ancient, and possibly less buggy compiler.
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I run a 64 bits Fedora and a 32 bits Firefox, and the browser is very unstable and slow. I would like to try the 64 bits versions but without Java I don’t want, of course! I will wait…
I’ve been using this version for more than a week, and I haven’t missed Java at all. I don’t even recall seeing any web page ASKING for Java, or complaining about its absense. It’s all Flash, these days.
Suggestion: create an alternate user, install the 64-bit Firefox, the wrapper, and Flash, then copy your bookmarks.html file, and use it for a day or two. See whether you miss Java or not. You may be surprised.
I do need Java, my netbank uses it…