Question about re-installing 64bit over 32bit

[messyhead]

Hi folks. I'm a fairly recent convert to Ubuntu and have 8.04 32bit currently installed and all is well.

However, I have an AMD64 cpu so I was going to 'upgrade' to Ubuntu 64 to give it a try.

Would I be able to install this over the 32-bit installation and leave the partitions and Home folder intact?

Also, is there a list of 64-bit specific programs anywhere that I can have a browse through. I have tried having a search but can't seem to find what I'm looking for.

thanks

[tamoneya]

provided that during your first install you made a separate home partition you should be all set.

As for programs that are 64 bit most linux programs provide 64 bit versions as it is a fairly simple matter of recompiling it for 64 bit most of the time. The repositories typically have both 32 bit and 64 bit versions and detect what you are running on your computer and install the correct ones for you.