It seems Sony not only wanted to sneak the Bluray player into your living room, but also wants Linux on your set top box, as well. I know they were talking about this before, but if every unit shipped has a HDD standard, then were talking about a massive install base of low-priced Linux based computers floating around now. How do you think MS will respond to this news that they obviously will not like?
PS3 = Possible massive distribution of Linux?
- Thread starter ROG27
- Start date
Personally, I think Linux on the HD serves a different purpous: I think Linux will basically be running the locationFree server software for PS3-PSP connectivity. They need some OS for this and Linux being free would be the optimal solution for it.
That's what I think their aim is anyway.
That's what I think their aim is anyway.
KK has spoken of wanting non-game apps on PSP. Also remember what PlayStation is. It's not a console. That was never KK's dream. His idea was for a computer used for fun stuff, designed and optimized for fun stuff, as opposed to a PC that in his mind is designed for work stuff. The WorkStation is where you work. The PlayStation is where you relax and have fun, whether that's playing games, watching movies, or creating a digital scrapbook.
There were technical limits as to why previous iterations of PS weren't successful in this. PS3 is the first hardware that could support the glut of fun applications KK had in mind. It makes sense to have an open OS platform for all this fun stuff to appear on. And if some boring person writes boring work related software for PlayStation, I doubt KK would be opposed!
Personally I like the idea of a standardised computer platform. It'll be like computers of old. Every piece of software will know exactly what hardware it's being run in when developed specifically for PS3, so hopefully maintenance and conflicts so be minimized. It does the pose the question of hackability though...
There were technical limits as to why previous iterations of PS weren't successful in this. PS3 is the first hardware that could support the glut of fun applications KK had in mind. It makes sense to have an open OS platform for all this fun stuff to appear on. And if some boring person writes boring work related software for PlayStation, I doubt KK would be opposed!
Personally I like the idea of a standardised computer platform. It'll be like computers of old. Every piece of software will know exactly what hardware it's being run in when developed specifically for PS3, so hopefully maintenance and conflicts so be minimized. It does the pose the question of hackability though...
I've always hoped they'll create a simplified frontend. Standard Linux is scarey. A customized Linux, using the Linux kernal but customized interface, would work, and could be easier than Windows which still manages to confuse a lot of people.
Not saying it will. Just that it is a possibility that needs a view of the OS to know.
Not saying it will. Just that it is a possibility that needs a view of the OS to know.
The average user might not even know he is using Linux if its already setup. It only depends on an easy-to-use gui.valioso said:
Sony could very well bring 1 specific distro in the limelight, fixing the mess Linux now represents. Think about a "Linux for the masses", which is lacking for now - ask 3 people about their favorite Distro and you get 3 different responses. With a "standard" distro (no not speaking only of PS3) and therefore more concentrated effort things could get interesting.
I dont see how linux in the PS3 has anything to do with Windows. There could be ANY os kernel in the PS3, what matters is the functionality they build into it. If people think the PS3 will replace the personal computer for the american household, then make that argument based on functionality, but "Linux" as the OS in the PS3 doesnt really mean anything on its own.
Modern linux distributions (with KDE etc) are actually quite simple and intuitive when only using the built in apps. The complexity arises from more specific machine configuration and the installation/compilation of new software. Since the PS3 will have mostly built in or professionally released software for its linux, I don't think that usability will be a problem.
Shifty Geezer said:
Ding, ding, ding! Winnar!
Seriously, though, while the name stares you in the face, most probably never imagined the implication of it. It in itself is the mission statement Sony has always had in mind for this box. The implication of 100 million Linux/Lin-dows boxes is a serious threat to MS...especially their Media Center PC.
Bohdy said:
I think it would be quite easy if sony made an easy packet manager, and released pre-complied packages on some site or so. Like novell has with yast2, really easy.
The biggest problem would probably be so the required packages for the program is there when installing, but if sony launched it with lots of preinstalled packages that most programs use or if they have a packet manager that finds them automatically from a large database or something.
I think if they really want linux to make it they could. But they'll probably just have some XMB that most people will use.
Some may contest this, but it was for this reason MS approached Sony and Nintendo to get their OS on these consoles, and when that failed they made their own console to get their OS into that posiiton.ROG27 said:
Shifty Geezer said:
I dont think a media hub is still a threat to the 'home pc' and certainly not the 'corporate pc'. I htink the media hub is an uptick from what people used to have in their homes, but not necesserily a 'replacement' for their windows computer. Sure MS wants a piece of this new media hub business, but so does Intel, Apple, etc. MS is just using their foothold wiht the home computer market to try and extend that to a media hub. If MS only gets a portion of this new media hub business i htink theyre better off by that much, not worse off. Same goes for apple or intel. Any business they get in this space are new dollars, not lost dollars.
I agree. It's only the Media PC area this contests. Normally PCs will likely be safe, because there just won't be the software for PS3.
I'm sorry but I don't see how this can threaten Windows. Console, PC, two totally different markets and functions.
You can consider me Avg Joe, and when I hear Linux on the HDD, my reaction is, big friggin deal. Now if someone can tell me what they think/know I can do with it as an Avg Joe user maybe my feelings will change, until then I could careless. I would erase it from my HDD, if it isn't needed for gaming functions that is, to free up space.
You can consider me Avg Joe, and when I hear Linux on the HDD, my reaction is, big friggin deal. Now if someone can tell me what they think/know I can do with it as an Avg Joe user maybe my feelings will change, until then I could careless. I would erase it from my HDD, if it isn't needed for gaming functions that is, to free up space.
Synergy34 said:
1)The distribution of Linux through PS3 will make more people accustomed and familiar with Linux.This will increase people interested in Linux OS.MS isnt worried about the present but about the future
2)MS is aiming to expand more twoards the entertainment aspect of computing.If something else succeeds greately in the same market it may not help MS to have an advandagous or if you want as profitable position in that market.
Synergy34 said:
Well, I think it is more geared towards the MacMini audience: Small nice machine sitting in your living room, that you can surf on, play Mp3, BluRay, etc, run small applications, maybe run OO and that you can PS3 games on. It's just nice to have the options don't you think?