PS3 & Linux

[Arqentus]

Well, i need to admit. The prospect of seeing the PS3 coming standard with Linux ( & k/m support ) is opening some interesting possibilities. The latest news of Sony there Linux alliance seem to indicate that the original reports of Linux standard on the ps3 is true.

Imaging the PS3 with Cedega ( directx layer for Linux ), bingo, PC games.

Lets face it, most young people stay for the most part with Windows because of the games support. Now, if this combo can work, that means ps1+ps2+ps3 games + a selection of PC games on your console. It does open a lot of possibilities.

One of the things i fear with the 360, is the combination of Linux + ati. The main problem is, you need a) a mod chip b) a custom Linux to take advantage of the system ( that alone is going to take some months ) c) good graphics drivers for the ati gpu. And lets face it, its no secret that ATI's implementation of Linux drivers are hardly up to the standard of Nvidia's Linux drivers. This might be more of a problem.

Even stranger, this might be if true, a brilliant move from Sony against MS. Every HD based PS3 with Linux. How many million of new Linux users doesnt this just create on the market. A lot. All of them with hardware that surpasses any modern day PC ( The 360 is faster then any 2000+$ PC, and we know that the PS3 is slightly faster then the 360 but a ***** to program directly ).

This is some interesting thoughts to talk about.

PS: no flaming people, i know, with the words: ps3, 360, ati, nvidia all in one article, its a invitation for disaster. Keep the topic civil.

[FordGTGuy]

Why would I want a console to play pc games that why I own a PC or why would I even want Linux on my console.

[P Mack]

Uh huh. I really don't get it and causal gamers wouldn't either. Big deal play Half Life 2 on a PS3. The 360 will still be good. PS3 is supporting a not really known OS.

[citizen X]

I honestly think this is a lot of BS!! Its all hype and nothing ells. I'll believe it when i see it and if i do see it, I'll be laughing the whole time. There is a reason why there is PC and then there’s CONCOLS, it seems to me that Sony is tired of people talking about Xbox and are now saying some crap about how that it’s a fact that there system will have Lenox... and that’s something console gamers really care about? Not me, I don't know about all u guys but I'm a consoles gamers to get away from PC hassle. Think about t it, what’s next hardware upgrades, yeah that’s just what I want, I’m going to need to upgrade my PC and console every 6 months just to keep up with the current technology? Sorry but no….

[Arqentus]

Originally Posted by citizen X

Not me, I don't know about all u guys but I'm a consoles gamers to get away from PC hassle. Think about t it, what’s next hardware upgrades, yeah that’s just what I want, I’m going to need to upgrade my PC and console every 6 months just to keep up with the current technology? Sorry but no….

Really? Strange, but you misunderstand the possibiliites, like many console users do. No offence, but talk Linux or other full Os on a console, and most of them freak. They have been at war with PC users for so many years, that its almost blasphemy.

Your stating the trouble of upgrading your PC / console every 6 month. But that's the beauty of Sony's plan. Lets face it, most people there PCs suck. There are a massive amount of people who have PC hardware hardly faster then a xbox. Hardware that i classify as middle age's hardware. Now, with a 360 or a ps3, people gain hardware equal or faster then the then available PC hardware. At a fraction of the costs.

With a fixed console like a 360 or ps3, most of those hardware conflicts with the OS are gone. When you guy think PC, you think at all the trouble the mix of hardware creates. Console + OS = one piece of hardware, almost no conflicts anymore.

The OS doesnt need to run the 360/ps3 games, its a general purpose OS. When you insert a game-disk, the system can switch to a alternative mini OS for the console games. In other words, both are totally split from each other.

I'm always amazed to see the response from the console community to this news. You people need to start thinking out of the box, because i notice way to many people are set in there mindset, and aren't open for new ideas. Just like the k/m discussions.

But, is almost certain that the PS3 with harddisk will be equipped with Linux. So, you can cry what you want, but the console world is changing. Think about the possibilities instead of thinking at all the negatives ( who for the most part are misconceptions ).

Why would I want a console to play PC games that why I own a PC or why would I even want Linux on my console.

You right, we do you still own a PC when you can do most things on more powerful consoles at a fraction of the cost... The 360 can do a windows OS without problem, why doesnt MS do it? Because allowing a general purpose OS on there console WILL cut in there PC sales. That's the last thing MS wants. Its not because they want to keep the PC - Console gap, no, MS doesnt want its PC OS sales in danger. And that's whats Sony is aiming at. Buy introducing Linux as a OS on consoles, you create a group of people who don't buy MS there OS etc products.

Uh huh. I really don't get it and causal gamers wouldn't either. Big deal play Half Life 2 on a PS3. The 360 will still be good. PS3 is supporting a not really known OS.

And like i said before, don't dish the idea just because it's Sony's idea.

[citizen X]

u have some good points there. I guess I did misunderstand good post.

[The Ace]

Originally Posted by Pac Mack

Uh huh. I really don't get it and causal gamers wouldn't either. Big deal play Half Life 2 on a PS3. The 360 will still be good. PS3 is supporting a not really known OS.

Please define 'not really known'. Yes, maybe in your terms its not really known. But linux is well known for its servers, webmasters use it, hacking, hackers use it, open kernal, this is the biggest part b/c you can customize it to your linkings. Also I for one have a dual-boot with linux along with some of the kids I know. So linux is pretty well known.

[theelderscroll]

Originally Posted by citizen X

I honestly think this is a lot of BS!! Its all hype and nothing ells. I'll believe it when i see it and if i do see it, I'll be laughing the whole time. There is a reason why there is PC and then there’s CONCOLS, it seems to me that Sony is tired of people talking about Xbox and are now saying some crap about how that it’s a fact that there system will have Lenox... and that’s something console gamers really care about? Not me, I don't know about all u guys but I'm a consoles gamers to get away from PC hassle. Think about t it, what’s next hardware upgrades, yeah that’s just what I want, I’m going to need to upgrade my PC and console every 6 months just to keep up with the current technology? Sorry but no….

You took the words right out of my mouth. Who wants to upgrade there computer every time a new game comes out. I like the idea of just popin the game in and playin it.

[Vaki]

there might just be one problem with that idea, games are really easy to copy when they are used with o/s all people would have to do is rent a game from blockbuster ect. then copy it to the hard drive then do some emulating ect and hey bingo you have your games for the price of a rental!!!! Damn that sounds good

[Grindstone]

Good point, Vaki.

Argentus, I always like to read your posts as they are typically informative and well written. With regards to Linux being on the PS3... I am not so sure that it will be the case as Sony is generally very oppossed to "sharing" so to speak. Sure, it would be pretty cool to see it happen, and perhaps Sony may do it because the buzz around the 360 is garnering support, while the Sony camp is losing flanks (and worse yet, we're one week from launch, and Sony hasn't said a friggin' thing!).

But, in the end I am led to believe that Sony will implement its own software and the Linux rumor will subside. It'll probably be hacked and then we'll see some homebrew on it, just as the Xbox is today in some cases, but no "off the shelf" linux, IMO.

[Arqentus]

Originally Posted by Vaki

there might just be one problem with that idea, games are really easy to copy when they are used with o/s all people would have to do is rent a game from blockbuster ect. then copy it to the hard drive then do some emulating ect and hey bingo you have your games for the price of a rental!!!! Damn that sounds good

Hehe ... no they aren't. That's the basic idea of running a full Linux OS, but using a separate OS for the ps3 games. If you place the PS3 Games OS on a flash chip, with encryption ( like they did with the PSP ), so that any access isn't possible, that makes copying impossible. You will notice i spoke of the PSP, while its rather hacked open now, if it wasn't for the unprotected Japanese PSP 1.0's, i'm willing to bet that it won't have been cracked ( softwarematig ). The access thanks to the error of forgetting to enable the protection on those 1.0's was a big flaw.

Now, if Sony uses a similar system but learns from there errors on the PSP, you can forget software emulation for a long time. That's the trick of a closed source OS with encryption, takes ages to get anywhere with it, let alone do something useful.

Grindstone:

I've been having fun lurking on the PS3 forums, and the PS3 looks equip for a 3.5" Sata drive ( on the left side if i remember correctly).

In a sense, i suspect that MS will be the ones determining if the PS3 will come with a HD or not. Sony wasn't sure if they wanted to come equipped with a HD standard or not. The fact that MS is predicting a 70 to 80% Premium package sale, makes it a almost certain HD enabled Console. Sony can't stay behind again. The Linux package on the PS2 got a lot of criticism ( price for one ), and was well consider a very late arrival. I was on a Sony meeting in my country when they announced it for distributors. I was like "yea right, now you come out with it". I suspect that they won't make the same error. The fact that they already want to include Linux on there HDs, is a nice indication that they don't want to repeat that same error.

theelderscroll:

Like i said theelderscroll, you can easily do this with a dual OS. Pop in a Gamedisk when your in Linux Os mode, and you need only one API call to notify the alternative OS to close the Linux OS & start playing the Game DVD.

I need to admit, the more i read up on the cell, and the more i'm getting impressed by it ( only wish it wasn't such a ***** to program ).

I know one thing, the customer wins. Because of the world wide release of the 360 now, Sony can't afford a 6 months release between continents anymore. Because of MS there predicted 70 to 80% Premium/HD equip 360's, Sony may be force to equip it with a standard HD. Don't you just love competition

[Grindstone]

Yep, that's why I endorse competition and hope that Sony doesn't fall through the cracks with the PS3 launch.

Good info- thanks for the update.