The project Debian has as a slogan: "The Universal Operating System" but in reality it is not so when it comes to packages. I want to share with you this news that will surely make more than one happy.
In Annual Debian Conference corresponding to this year (DebConf11) was discussed about Multiple Architecture Support (Multiarch Support) which will be available in debian wheezy for 2013. What is Multiple Architecture?
Well basically the technology multi-arch gives us the ability to use 32 or 64 Bit Software at the same time, on the same computer.
"Multiarch is a huge improvement on Debian's ability to deliver on the promise of being a universal operating system," explains Steve Langasek. … “Not only will it make crossbuilding easier, but it will also allow better support for legacy 32-bit applications in new 64-bit installations and in the future even allow for 32-bit live migration to systems 64 bits. »
What do you think? Personally, I use the 32-bit system, being able to use the 64-bit one, for the simple fact that some packages do not work as they should in the latter, and not all applications have a version for this type of architecture. But with this news, things may change for 2013 
Source: Debian News.