64bit skype client needed

[Rick Stevens]

On 09/17/2014 01:25 PM, jd1008 issued this missive:
>
> On 09/17/2014 01:54 PM, Joonas Sarajärvi wrote:
>>> OK, I have the rpm pf skype which was built for fc18:
>>> skype-4.2.0.11-3.fc18.x86_64.rpm
>>> but it still depends on i686 libs and other components.
>>>
>>> I was wondering if there is a way to extract the spec file
>>> from it and rebuild it (i.e. relink it) with 64bit libs, by
>>> editing the spec file, and running rpmbuild ...etc.
>>>
>> To make a 64-bit build of the application, you would need to actually
>> compile the sources with a compiler that targets the 64-bit
>> instruction set. This requires access to application source code.
>> Source code to the Skype client is not available.
>>
>> My impression is that the skype "x86_64" rpm is still the same 32-bit
>> application that ships in their 32-bit package.
>>
>> Fortunately, an x86-64 Fedora installation can easily run also 32-bit
>> applications.
>>
>> -Joonas
>
> I do have the 64bit src rpm for
> skype-4.2.0.11-3.fc18.src.rpm
>
> But all it does when you try to build it, is just name the binary file
> as a 64 bit rpm.
> I am still hoping that a compiler and machine code guru will find a way
> to change 32 bit code to 64 bit counterpart, and change the linkage
> directives
> to link with the 64 bit libs.
>
> :) hoping is not a nono :)

Not impossible, but INCREDIBLY labor-intensive and it really wouldn't
improve anything. To make use of the 64-bit registers, memory maps and
other features, you really need to let the compiler make its
optimizations and such. This fixation about not having 32-bit libraries
is quite silly. If you really need Skype, just suck it up, install the
required libraries and be done with it.

You should be more concerned with having a closed-source, non-peer-
reviewed binary on your machine. Who knows what data it is mining on
your system and sending off to M$ and their evil minions. Half of the
apps I've downloaded for my Android phone never get installed because
as they install they want access to stuff that has NOTHING to do with
the app's supposed function (for example, I-Heart-Radio has absolutely
NO need to look at my address book). They get deleted as soon as they 
try to install and I find out what trolls they are.
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- Rick Stevens, Systems Engineer, AllDigital    ricks at alldigital.com -
- AIM/Skype: therps2        ICQ: 22643734            Yahoo: origrps2 -
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