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Yellow Dog Linux v5.0 for PS3 Announced

Posted by Hemos on Mon Oct 16, 2006 10:01 AM
from the some-people-seem-to-care dept.
Sony Linux
News for nerds writes "Yellow Dog Linux v5.0 is slated for release mid-November with support for the Sony PS3 first, and support for the former Apple PowerPC product line to follow. Any updates required to support the Apple PowerPC systems following the release for PS3 will be made available via a free download."

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[+] Games: Linux and the Coming Consoles 73 comments
eldavojohn writes "Despite reports from the CEO that the PS3 will ship with Linux, LinuxDevices is now saying that it won't. Also, despite a rumor that the Wii will have Linux, the originator of the rumor has revealed himself to be a prankster. This won't stop you from putting Yellow Dog on the PS3 or running WiiLi, a live Linux CD for the Wii."
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  • PSP Homebrew (Score:5, Insightful)

    by WilyCoder (736280) on Monday October 16 2006, @10:09AM (#16452909)
    Given Sony's behavior regarding the PSP and using homebrew on it, I am highly skeptical of this PS3 linux project. How can we be sure that Sony will not resort to forcing firmware upgrades on new games? Some of the latest firmware upgrades for PSP do absolutely nothing but thrwat homebrew attempts. Sony has suddenly done a 180 on homebrew? And for its flagship product?

    Lest we not forget how crippled the PS2 linux project was (the $700 one)....
    • Re:PSP Homebrew by Anonymous Coward (Score:2) Monday October 16 2006, @10:46AM

    • Re:PSP Homebrew (Score:5, Interesting)

      by SQLz (564901) on Monday October 16 2006, @11:34AM (#16454161)
      (http://www.linuxplatform.org/ | Last Journal: Tuesday December 16 2003, @04:31PM)
      Sony is pushing PS3 homebrew development big time. They are building an entire community around Linux PS3 development. This is not normal Sony behavior for sure but, its in their best interest to do so. They are HEAVY Linux in the office ($1 to Microsoft is an investment into Microsoft) and basically, it revolves around the idea that the PS3 is going to be more of a personal computer / home entertainment / gaming box. At E3, Sony exec Izumu Kawabishi said "Because we have plans for having Linux on board the PS3 we also recognise Linux programming activities and we'de like to see various individuals participate in content creation for the PS3". The advantage is that more people will understand the architecture and create cool software for it. Its going to be sweet.
      [ Parent ]
    • Re:PSP Homebrew by badboy_tw2002 (Score:3) Monday October 16 2006, @12:20PM
    • Re:PSP Homebrew by FrankDrebin (Score:2) Monday October 16 2006, @12:23PM
    • of course Sony will require firmware upgrades... by YesIAmAScript (Score:2) Monday October 16 2006, @12:54PM

  • Cell servers? (Score:5, Insightful)

    by otacon (445694) on Monday October 16 2006, @10:09AM (#16452913)
    (http://aaronownsyou.blogspot.com/)
    Considering IBM is making cell processor blade servers, this release further allows end-users to opprotunity to use that same hardware for production and testing purposes, and at what should be fraction of the price.

  • homebrew? (Score:1)

    by Verunks (1000826) on Monday October 16 2006, @10:09AM (#16452915)
    that's really great! this also means that you can execute some homebrew without a modchip or a sony boot disc like linux for ps2

  • seems sketchy (Score:4, Interesting)

    by Aurisor (932566) on Monday October 16 2006, @10:09AM (#16452917)
    (http://aurisor.blogspot.com/)
    As I remember, Yellow Dog Linux was one of the better linux distros for macs back when they were still on the PowerPC platform. Now that the PowerPC platform is pretty much defunct, I can't help but think that them moving to a:

    - Unreleased gaming console
    - which has been much-maligned for its excessively high price
    - and huge production delays
    - on a new processor architecture
    - using a WM that's not even out of CVS

    seems like biting off more than they can chew, and smacks a bit of desperation.

    Don't get me wrong, I think it's possible, and once I get a PS3 (once the prices get down to sane levels) I think it'll be a neat product to play with...but I'm just glad I don't own any stock in terrasoft :)

    • Re:seems sketchy (Score:5, Informative)

      by gEvil (beta) (945888) on Monday October 16 2006, @10:32AM (#16453247)
      (http://evil.google.com/)
      Now that the PowerPC platform is pretty much defunct...

      You might want to let IBM know about that. It seems that they didn't get the memo.
      [ Parent ]
    • Re:seems sketchy by Blakey Rat (Score:3) Monday October 16 2006, @10:38AM

    • Re:seems sketchy (Score:5, Informative)

      by bWareiWare.co.uk (660144) on Monday October 16 2006, @10:46AM (#16453443)
      (http://bware.iware.co.uk/)
      That would be the same PowerPC architecture that the PS3 uses then. The OS runs on the PowerPC derived PPE, the SPE are no use to an OS. All the OS can do is expose them is some useful way to userspace.

      Sony are sinking some serious PR money into Terra Soft (the makers of Yellow Dog Linux) to develop some "PS3 based supercomputers":

      http://www.cbronline.com/article_news.asp?guid=773 06D92-BC68-4133-B226-23636E116221 [cbronline.com]

      - Unreleased gaming console
      The CELL was never going to be only for gaming consoles. YDL will be used on several of the biggest supercomputers in the world in a couple of years, not to mention a bucket load of IBM blade servers.

      - which has been much-maligned for its excessively high price
      No one ever said hi-end computing would be cheap.

      - and huge production delays
      Yes, but they are backed by Sony, they will already have their shipments earmarked.

      - on a new processor architecture
      Which is a derivative of the one they are the leading Linux experts on, and is likely to be a very major market in the coming years.

      - using a WM that's not even out of CVS
      Their core market is servers so this is totally irrelevant. I suppose they just wanted something flashy for the expos. (you don't get more flashy then a WM that can bring a 2Gb dual core gaming rig to its knees running xterm!)
      [ Parent ]
    • I hate to be picking a nit . . . by mmell (Score:1) Monday October 16 2006, @10:52AM
    • Re:seems sketchy by rickb928 (Score:1) Monday October 16 2006, @11:44AM
    • Re:seems sketchy by Chanc_Gorkon (Score:2) Monday October 16 2006, @12:03PM
    • I wonder. by LWATCDR (Score:2) Monday October 16 2006, @01:29PM

  • Using the joypad?! (Score:2, Interesting)

    by Rik Sweeney (471717) on Monday October 16 2006, @10:15AM (#16453007)
    (http://www.parallelrealities.co.uk/)
    Feel free to correct me if I'm wrong but:

    Are they mad? How the hell are you going to be able to send an email or write a program using the joypad? That'll take ages! Madness, sheer madness...

  • Sweet! (Score:1)

    by justinbach (1002761) on Monday October 16 2006, @10:19AM (#16453065)
    (http://www.spacewalrus.com/)
    Now I'll be able to emulate the classics from the days of the NES on my $600 PS3 with a Cell Processor!

    River City Ransom, here I come!

  • The PS3 Details From What We Know So Far (Score:5, Informative)

    by RichardMarks (1011125) on Monday October 16 2006, @10:23AM (#16453113)
    Correct me if any of this is wrong...

    I assume the Yellow Dog Linux system will be installed on each harddrive - along with a BluRay system disc for people who need/want to reinstall. I remember someone from Sony saying something along those lines last year.

    Full set of PS3 devtools included with each PS3 for homebrew.

    The PS3 has full support for USB keyboard and mouse and other standard input devices.

    The PS3 will be able to drive a standard monitor at 1080p - 1920 × 1080 rez.

    Don't know if there will be two different boot options - or perhaps they will be using some of the OS virtualization stuff Cell supports.

    Online gaming will be free - only MMORPGs will be charging.

    There will be an online movie/music store.

    You will be able to buy/download PS1/PS2 to your PS3 harddrive and play them.

    You will be able to buy/download PSP games to your PS3 harddrive and play them on your PSP.

    There is stuff where you will be able to stream content wirelessly from your PS3 to your PSP.

    1080p games - the list of 1080p native PS3 games seems to keep growing everyday - I think there are about six just for launch and about 10 - 15 I've read about.

    1080p BluRay movies

    HDMI connector on both versions of the PS3

    Full backwards compatibility with PS1 games through software emulation.

    Full backwards compatibility with PS2 games through hardware emulation - PS2 chips in every PS3.

    You can replace the harddrive with any laptop drive.

    Keep hearing about DLNA compliance and people being excited about that - not sure why yet

    All that for 499 in the US. Wow.

    Also I remember talk of future PS3 versions with more RAM or multiple Cell chips are something Sony is planning. I would die for a dual or quad Cell based system with a couple gigs of RAM running Linux for my desktop.

  • Possible Uses... (Score:5, Interesting)

    by cfulmer (3166) on Monday October 16 2006, @10:26AM (#16453165)
    (Last Journal: Sunday May 20, @06:41AM)
    Hmmm... MythTV front-end?

    Having a widely-distributed set-top box capable of running Linux could open up all sorts of interesting projects.
  • I can't help but think of Red Hat, and get into the naming frame of mind when I hear that distribution's name. It makes me wonder what other Linux distros we could come up with.

    Maybe:
    White Boy Linux - it's can't play DDR games very well, but it likes to try.
    Green Worm Linux - made just for kids that like to shove gross things into the faces of girls.
    Black Velvet Linux - when you positively, absolutely, HAVE TO impress a spouse with the computer.
    • Re:Yellow Dog by gEvil (beta) (Score:3) Monday October 16 2006, @10:29AM
    • Re:Yellow Dog by AcidLacedPenguiN (Score:3) Monday October 16 2006, @11:40AM
    • Re:Yellow Dog by businessnerd (Score:1) Monday October 16 2006, @11:43AM
      • Re:Yellow Dog by From A Far Away Land (Score:2) Monday October 16 2006, @11:52AM

  • Also, the PS3 supercomputer... (Score:3, Informative)

    by Otter (3800) on Monday October 16 2006, @10:59AM (#16453589)
    (Last Journal: Thursday November 08, @06:00PM)
    I've been grumbling [slashdot.org] for days [slashdot.org] about my submisisons on this being overlooked, but Terra Soft isn't just making the OS, they and Sony are building a PS3-based cluster [terrasoftsolutions.com].

    You may now return to your regularly scheduled news about Jack Thompson and SCO.

    • 1 reply beneath your current threshold.

  • And how will Sony react? (Score:2)

    by tlhIngan (30335) <slashdot@@@worf...net> on Monday October 16 2006, @11:01AM (#16453621)
    If YDL is free for the PS3, then don't you think Sony might... object?

    After all, Sony's probably heavily subsidizing the PS3, hoping to recoup them by game sales. And of course, you don't have to buy games on the PS3 for YDL...

    One of the main reasons the Sony PS2-Linux kit was $250 was basically to cover the PS2 subsidy (so Sony would make up the difference in hardware cost vs. sales price in selling the Linux kit).

  • PS3 as a GP computer? (Score:2)

    by IntergalacticWalrus (720648) on Monday October 16 2006, @11:49AM (#16454389)
    Okay, console-wise the PS3 is overpriced crap, but if you think of the PS3 as a general-purpose Linux-based Cell computer, suddenly 599 USD seems like a pretty sweet deal, considering all the cool hardware you get with it.

    Linux on the PS2 sucked because the PS2 was not well suited as a general-purpose computer (slow CPU even at the time, insufficient amount of RAM, shitty video output capabilities), and the kit was overexpensive because they had to include an hard disk with it (that couldn't be simultaneously used with games, which made the deal even less interesting). But now with the PS3 the built-in hardware is good enough for many typical computer tasks. The only real thing missing is DVI output, preferably DVI-I. Can one easily convert HDMI to DVI-D?

    Let's hope Sony will get a clue, and allow the PS3 to become the ultimate Cell workstation.

  • This is pointless. :) (Score:1, Troll)

    by Quixadhal (45024) on Monday October 16 2006, @12:14PM (#16454769)
    (Last Journal: Friday May 02 2003, @12:35PM)
    What's the point of porting Linux to the PS3? Anyone who can afford to buy one of these diamond-encrusted consoles has enough money to install a Microsoft OS on it...

    *ducks*

  • the root password is... (Score:2)

    by rbanffy (584143) on Monday October 16 2006, @01:17PM (#16455909)
    (http://www.dieblinkenlights.com/)
    The default root password is R1-L2-circle-square-left-R3 and a full circle with the right analog stick.

  • If It Runs on RevC iMac's, I'll Buy It (Score:2)

    by reallocate (142797) on Monday October 16 2006, @04:39PM (#16459417)
    I could care less about the PS3, but if Yellow Dog releases something that runs acceptably on my Mac -- a RevC iMac iSight -- I just might buy it. If they manage that trick, they'll be the first Linux distro to do so.

  • Like PS2 kit, VAT ? (Score:2)

    by makapuf (412290) on Monday October 16 2006, @05:29PM (#16460249)
    If you recall, I think there was a Basic language on PS2 CD set.
    It was just so you can boot thos and pretend they were computers : in some parts of the world, computers are lower VAT than game consoles. But the prog language was worthless and impossible to program homebrws with it, of course

  • (Even Better?) OSX on PS3! (Score:1)

    by WikiTerra (883949) on Tuesday October 17 2006, @12:08AM (#16463949)
    Under applications there is listed an emulator, mol, which is a "Virtual machine capable of running Mac OS and Mac OS X."

    Click on mol and you see...

    "With MOL you can run Mac OS [X] under Linux - in full speed! All PowerPC versions of Mac OS are supported (including MacOS MacoS 9 and MacOS X)."

    http://www.terrasoftsolutions.com/products/ydl/inc luded/index.php?s_cat_disp=2&app_list=32#2/ [terrasoftsolutions.com]

    Tell me this does not kick ass.

  • The obvious question (Score:1)

    by k33l0r (808028) on Tuesday October 17 2006, @01:39PM (#16473781)
    (http://korhonen.matt.googlepages.com/ | Last Journal: Sunday October 15 2006, @04:44AM)
    The obvious question: "Will this mean we can hack the PS3?"

  • Re:Yes, Linux is free. (Score:2, Informative)

    by Rude Turnip (49495) <rudeturnip@vald o t .org> on Monday October 16 2006, @10:14AM (#16452997)
    (http://valdot.org/)
    Unless you're paying for packaging, documentation, support, etc.
    [ Parent ]

  • Re:hmmm (Score:5, Funny)

    by MobileTatsu-NJG (946591) on Monday October 16 2006, @10:20AM (#16453081)
    "what's a linux?"

    A very powerful form of birth control.
    [ Parent ]

  • Re:Yes, Linux is free. (Score:1)

    by Ricken (797341) on Monday October 16 2006, @10:25AM (#16453131)
    But the word "Sony" is also included in the article!
    [ Parent ]

  • Re:This is great news (Score:1)

    by pl1ght (836951) on Monday October 16 2006, @10:34AM (#16453281)
    Yeah, i was gonna say the same thing until i remembered the 100k+ units already presold. Nice try.
    [ Parent ]

  • Re:rootkit (Score:1)

    by zetsurin (993567) on Monday October 16 2006, @11:24AM (#16453987)
    Oh, is that supposed to still be new and funny is it?
    [ Parent ]
  • 10 replies beneath your current threshold.

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