Didn't
Linux run on Alpha in 64-bit mode before NetBSD?
http://www.netbsd.org/Ports/alpha/
NetBSD/alpha is a true 64-bit system that fully implements the LP64
architecture, using 64-bit pointers and 64-bit long integers (standard
integers are still 32 bits) in a linear four terabyte (4TB) address
space. NetBSD/alpha was the first free OS to run on the Alpha and
supports by far the largest number of alpha system types of any free OS.
Linux was the first free OS to run on the Alpha (in 32-bit mode).
NetBSD was the first free 64-bit OS. It predated the 64-bit version
of Linux/Alpha by about five months.
Linux did support SMP on the Alpha in 64-bit mode long before NetBSD.
--
Eric Dittman
dittman(a)dittman.net