PS3 = Possible massive distribution of Linux?

[Synergy34]

The options are nice of course, but the point is, Linux or not, I don't care. Maybe I am wrong, but those functions you talk about seem like they would be built into the PS3 OS and not a function of Linux loaded on the HDD.

Am I wrong? Is the Media Center Extender on the 360 loaded from the HDD? I'm trying to get a grip on this Linux thing and why it excties people so much. I hope I'm not comming across as being a jerk or sumthin.

If that is all Linux does for me, then what justifes people saying this will kill MS and Windows?

My computer doesn't have Linux, so will my PS3 still be able to talk to it and pull files like the 360 Media Extender does for it?

 

[StefanS]

The options are nice of course, but the point is, Linux or not, I don't care. Maybe I am wrong, but those functions you talk about seem like they would be built into the PS3 OS and not a function of Linux loaded on the HDD.

Am I wrong? Is the Media Center Extender on the 360 loaded from the HDD? I'm trying to get a grip on this Linux thing and why it excties people so much. I hope I'm not comming across as being a jerk or sumthin.

If that is all Linux does for me, then what justifes people saying this will kill MS and Windows?

My computer doesn't have Linux, so will my PS3 still be able to talk to it and pull files like the 360 Media Extender does for it?

Well, we know that the PS3OS is around 48-60MB, but for more advanced functions the size of the OS will start increasing and you don't want 100 MB permanently residing in the already cluttered 512 MB RAM.
Again, this doesn't kill MS or anything, as already mentioned a couple of times by Shifty. Sony aims for the living room, not the working place.
As for similiar functions to X360 Media Extender, I don't know. They could use sg similar to SAMBA.

 

[Shifty Geezer]

With a full OS, you can add more programs. Unlike PSP that can have a web-browser and stuff in ROM, but is limited to that, PS3 with a full OS on HDD could run anything written for it, depending on any limitations Sony impose of course.

If it's normal Linux, it's no different to Windows IMO, except you need to learn different ways of doing some things. If it's Linux kernal but a PS3 frontend, and is effective, it could solve a lot of problems.

I've been around computers all my life, and worked a fair bit in support as paid employment, and helped friends and family with computers. Computers are hard work! They are far from easy and maintenance free. Any alternative to this has to be a Godsend! Apple are the only alternative and they cost far too much for what they do. A cheap computer in PS3 that does the usual things people do on PC without the stupid conflicts and bugs and obligatory reinstall every year or two would be the most wonderful thing since the Amiga IMO. But, that depends on what the OS is like, so I'm not holding my breath. Just being cautiously hopeful.

Plus for the 'next-gen' of computer activities, image processing and video editing and audio encoding and whatnot, PS3 should kick the Windows PC into the back of beyond in performance. It could offer a cheaper yet faster alternative for these functions than a Windows PC. Of course if you're big into Relational Databases it might not float your boat

 

[expletive]

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.

IMO, having Linux as the OS kernal on a PS3 doesnt translate to people becoming familiar with the OS, installing it, or supporting/getting support for it.

Unless Sony is planning on selling a full feldged OS and provide support, etc then i would agree. But whos going to want to deal with that in a CE device?

 

[Synergy34]

I've been around computers all my life, and worked a fair bit in support as paid employment, and helped friends and family with computers. Computers are hard work! They are far from easy and maintenance free. Any alternative to this has to be a Godsend! Apple are the only alternative and they cost far too much for what they do. A cheap computer in PS3 that does the usual things people do on PC without the stupid conflicts and bugs and obligatory reinstall every year or two would be the most wonderful thing since the Amiga IMO. But, that depends on what the OS is like, so I'm not holding my breath. Just being cautiously hopeful.

I got to say that other than having some sort of word processing, I am done with computers in general. I really am sick of worrying about spam and viruses by outside sources screwing up my stuff. Case in point, I had a virus infect my computer recently, my virus protection got rid of it BUT now when i play WoW I am getting random framerate drops. This has to be a result of whatever hit my computer. I never had a problem before it happened and outside of trying a XP reinstall I have no clue what to do to try and fix it.

If Linux on my PS3 lets me dump my computer, I will be the biggest Linux promoter you've ever seen.

So when is the WoW on PS3 announcement gonna happen.

 

[lefizz]

A PS3 running Linux could be an absolutely stunning Media Centre typr device ffor the sitting room. The only fly in the ointment is that Sony will never allow it to be since they will totally cripple its usefulness via DRM. Thats is an absoltue certainty. MS could allow you to play back DIVX/ Xvid if they wanted but Sony with its own movie studio and huge record label will never allow to plays that stuff back.

Pity cos it could have been really cool.

Lets hope MS see sense and change there stance in the future, id give anything to retire my XBMC.

 

[blakjedi]

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.

Nuh unh! Directx onto a console. Directxbox...

Standardize APIs...

 

[fulcizombie]

Great news.This will probably force MS to become way more aggressive in the console buisness.I can't wait for E3!!

 

[[maven]]

I fear this will end the same way the PS2 Linux did (stopped sale quickly in NA, never sold in Europe, and won't work on slim-line PS2s), so until something real is known, I'll treat that as a buzzword-ladden Kutaragi-vision...

 

[Synergy34]

I fear this will end the same way the PS2 Linux did (stopped sale quickly in NA, never sold in Europe, and won't work on slim-line PS2s), so until something real is known, I'll treat that as a buzzword-ladden Kutaragi-vision...

how exactly can this end like the PS2 version did when it really looks like every PS3 will have a harddrvie and every PS3 will have Linux?

I really don't think you can compare the two at all, not even in the same ballpark IMO.

 

[Shifty Geezer]

Nuh unh! Directx onto a console. Directxbox...

Standardize APIs...

I think that's the official MS stance. I've read several reports on MS first approaching Sony to write the OS for PS2, and then approaching Nintendo for the same, before deciding to produce their own console. Had Sony said yes, XB wouldn't exist.

 

[liolio]

A PS3 running Linux could be an absolutely stunning Media Centre typr device ffor the sitting room. The only fly in the ointment is that Sony will never allow it to be since they will totally cripple its usefulness via DRM. Thats is an absoltue certainty. MS could allow you to play back DIVX/ Xvid if they wanted but Sony with its own movie studio and huge record label will never allow to plays that stuff back.

Pity cos it could have been really cool.

Lets hope MS see sense and change there stance in the future, id give anything to retire my XBMC.

Don't expect MS to do so, they're OS maker and their vue is that the XBOX360 must be slaved to the PC.
I prefer that in fact, i keep my PC for all the media/surf/work/some games (word,etc...) and it could be cool to stream divx or movies to Xbox360 and enjoy movies on my big sdtv.
I like to see console as little thing near the TV.
i don't to see a printer and a scanner nowhere near from my TV lol.
Even my poor PC is a fucking good media center.
I still hope Sony will push Ms to be less conservative with keyboard and mouse some games just need this. Even if is not a alpha numeric keyboard, an optimized game keyboard could be nice.

 

[Nesh]

IMO, having Linux as the OS kernal on a PS3 doesnt translate to people becoming familiar with the OS, installing it, or supporting/getting support for it.

Unless Sony is planning on selling a full feldged OS and provide support, etc then i would agree. But whos going to want to deal with that in a CE device?

Ok I guess that was directed to the first point 1)

Well you are right.But thats what we now for the present.How will this evolve in the next generations if it prooves succesful?
Its a risk for MS to just sit there and do nothing without taking into consideration all possibilitites

 

[liolio]

Ok I guess that was directed to the first point 1)

Well you are right.But thats what we now for the present.How will this evolve in the next generations if it prooves succesful?
Its a risk for MS to just sit there and do nothing without taking into consideration all possibilitites

i think one possibility is that most PS3 users will play on SDTV.
I use to connect my pc on my TV for watching movies, and sometime i have do some surf or quick work (i'm lazzy when it comes to cables...lol) the image quality is unbearable...
You need to use ubberly huge police size, blur everywhere, etc...
i think MS choice (pc) is better even an poor PC can be a good media center if you can stream data to external device aka xbox360, tv, etc...
Their a lot of thing people don't want to see near their TV, keyboard, mouse, printer, etc
there already vhs recorder, sometime home cinema, and cable everywhere.
just my point, but adult are free do do but they want, but i can't see child put whatever the fuck in the tv room (living room).

 

[Nesh]

i think one possibility is that most PS3 users will play on SDTV.
I use to connect my pc on my TV for watching movies, and sometime i have do some surf or quick work (i'm lazzy when it comes to cables...lol) the image quality is unbearable...
You need to use ubberly huge police size, blur everywhere, etc...
i think MS choice (pc) is better even an poor PC can be a good media center if you can stream data to external device aka xbox360, tv, etc...
Their a lot of thing people don't want to see near their TV, keyboard, mouse, printer, etc
there already vhs recorder, sometime home cinema, and cable everywhere.
just my point, but adult are free do do but they want, but i can't see child put whatever the fuck in the tv room (living room).

As I said we dont know whats going to happen in the long run.Many things change.Consumer behaviour change, products change etc.

Also remember that Sony isnt aiming kids with the Playstation brand.Some flashbacks of what KK envisioned with the Playstation will give you an idea. He has specific long run targets

 

[DigitalSoul]

I fear this will end the same way the PS2 Linux did (stopped sale quickly in NA, never sold in Europe, and won't work on slim-line PS2s), so until something real is known, I'll treat that as a buzzword-ladden Kutaragi-vision...

You have to consider that PS2 Linux kit was mostly aimed a enthusiasts, AFAIK, and it was only sold online or directly through Sony.

 

[liolio]

As I said we dont know whats going to happen in the long run.Many things change.Consumer behaviour change, products change etc.

Also remember that Sony isnt aiming kids with the Playstation brand.Some flashbacks of what KK envisioned with the Playstation will give you an idea. He has specific long run targets

Ok, but it will take a long time to see real home server.
Tell all electronic companies (nvidia, ati, via, toshiba, philips, pionner) to stop making DVD player, dvd recorder, tv decoder, hifi stuff, etc.. and just make declination of "make it all" home media centre. they won't agree and take huge financial loss.
I think both MS and Sony want this to happen (in slightky different manner) but I think that at this point the other economic actor don't agree at all.
I think lot of person should be happy to buy a "make it all" home media server, cables start really to be problematic, encumberance too.
Unapgradeable media home server is an easy piece of technology at this time, but it's too much money loss at this time for too much companies.
at this time at think xbox pc synergy is a better choice than ps3 redundant with my PC solution.
Anyway i won't base my choice on this but games .

 

[liolio]

i would add for balance that psp ps3 synergy too.

 

[Inane_Dork]

Whatever version/distro of Linux they go with, the upkeep of it should be interesting. Who will do it? Sony?

And until I can surf the net, browse email and chat in one room while someone else plays MGS4 in another room, I don't see the interest in bundling PC functions with the PS3. Separate devices are good for homes where the two functions are likely to be needed simultaneously, and that's a lot of homes.

 

[Titanio]

Whatever version/distro of Linux they go with, the upkeep of it should be interesting. Who will do it? Sony?

IBM is doing porting, or has already ported AFAIK.

And until I can surf the net, browse email and chat in one room while someone else plays MGS4 in another room, I don't see the interest in bundling PC functions with the PS3.

You'll prob be able to do these things via the "main" PS3 OS, but not via the Linux distro, I'm sure.

Anyway, more generally, this was definitely one of the most exciting announcements for me. The potential for homebrew and bedroom coding could be enormous. Really brilliant news.