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PS3 Linux thread.

Blimblim said:
Well the latest unofficial PS3RSX driver seems to be working quite well, with acceleration and everything, so at least the scaling is now done by the graphics card and not by a clunky software algorithm.
Click to expand...

Where can I read more on this Blim?
 
new 60 GB PS3 owner here, and while I still have a laptop (so technically, I don't need to do this), the opporotunity to use my PS3 as a PC is very tempting....

before I go any further, I have 3 programs I'd really like to use on it

Word Processor of some sort (OpenOffice seems to be the winner here)
IM Program that can use both YIM and AIM (wiould be willing to do separate if I had to, but Pidgin seems to be able to do both.... thoughts? anyone know of a better program?)
Internet Browser of some kind (Firefox, probably)

those are the ones I'd really want.... the other things from this list are kind of nice things to have, but not necessary

a Linux program the supports VoiceChat over the Internet (don't really know of any... recommendations)
something that would allow old Windows games to run (ideally, I'd use this for old RPG's, like BG, BG2, and such... so 256 MB of RAM should be able to handle that)(
are there SNES, GBA, MAME emulatiors that work (other systems would be nice, and while I know linkswapping on the post is forbidden, just wanted to see if my search could possilbly bear fruit)

I just wanted to find out about this, before I attempting the mindjob that apparently is installing Linux on your PS3 (Ubuntu still the favorite choice for a balance between speed/ease of use?)
 
Aurean_Mentat said:
a Linux program the supports VoiceChat over the Internet (don't really know of any... recommendations)
Click to expand...

There's Skype for Linux - looks like they have an open source version available (labelled "Static OSS") so you could get that and compile it under PS3 linux.

Aurean_Mentat said:
something that would allow old Windows games to run (ideally, I'd use this for old RPG's, like BG, BG2, and such... so 256 MB of RAM should be able to handle that)
Click to expand...

Well, I don't know about Windows games, but DosBox will run on Linux, and again is open source so should be fine on PS3.
 
Wow, haven't seen this thread in a while - what's the status now with the PS3 Linux? Have all the desktop-like functionalities that some folks suggested work now? (Office-like software, programming, other conventional stuff) If so, bravo! Any signs of it becoming a good replacement over Dell PCs, considering its $399 price tag?
 
yah I'm still waiting, until they get a nice release with some good RSX drivers. When do you think we're looking at fully accessible RSX in linux?
 
Wow so I just read last week about the ps2dev guys unlocking the gpu in linux on ps3. I see there's a couple posts in here about it getting unlocked (finally!) here. Do you guys know how much you can do with it yet? Like does it help video playback or help emulators play games or are they not that far along yet?

Here's a little demo I found on youtube it's a little 2d animation but it looks pretty cool. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZJQkXmG6UTI&feature=related
 
Ok, have decided I'd like to take a stab at this.

Couple questions, too lazy to read through the whole thread.

Can partitioning the PS3 HDD be done on a used system without losing all of the existing content, or does the drive need to be wiped to perform this?
 
steve said:
Ok, have decided I'd like to take a stab at this.

Couple questions, too lazy to read through the whole thread.

Can partitioning the PS3 HDD be done on a used system without losing all of the existing content, or does the drive need to be wiped to perform this?
Click to expand...

User settings will remain but you need to backup pics, movies, game saves etc.

This can be done very easily with whatever media you prefer.
 
Heads Up: Yellow Dog Linux 6.0 for PS3

Yellow Dog Linux v6.0 supports:
- Sony PS3.
- Apple PowerPC G4, G5.
- IBM System p (JS2x, 510, 520, 540).
- 802.11b Airport auto-configuration; Extreme with configuration.
- Audio on all tested machines.
- Sony PS3 Sixaxis game controller.
- Cell phone internet connections with configuration.

Yellow Dog Linux v6.0 key features:
- E17 & Gnome installed by default, KDE included.
- Gnash, the Flash work-alike.
- Ekiga VoIP, Pidgin IM/IRC, and Fluendo codec installer.
- kernel v2.6.23, gcc v4.1.1, gblic v2.5, and Eclipse v3.2.2.
- The only Linux distribution to include by default Cell SDK v3.0.
- IBM iRT (interactive raytrace) demo available via YDL.net Enhanced.
Click to expand...

Sounds like significant new features over the last YDL release. Even though I prefer Ubuntu for my PCs, there's no denying Yellowdog is the gold standard for running linux on the PS3. Inclusion of Gnash should bring Youtube video support.

Cell SDK 3.0 and Sixaxis support should be on the radar of any budding homebrew game designers. Free access to the PS3 hardware (minus GPU yada yada) has so much potential for indie game development its not even funny.

http://lists.terrasoftsolutions.com/pipermail/yellowdog-announce/2008-February/000177.html
 
Gnash, sound, wireless and sixaxis support out of the box? Guess its time to dive in. :)
Gotta wait a month for free download though.
 
theBishop said:
Heads Up: Yellow Dog Linux 6.0 for PS3



Sounds like significant new features over the last YDL release. Even though I prefer Ubuntu for my PCs, there's no denying Yellowdog is the gold standard for running linux on the PS3. Inclusion of Gnash should bring Youtube video support.

Cell SDK 3.0 and Sixaxis support should be on the radar of any budding homebrew game designers. Free access to the PS3 hardware (minus GPU yada yada) has so much potential for indie game development its not even funny.

http://lists.terrasoftsolutions.com/pipermail/yellowdog-announce/2008-February/000177.html
Click to expand...

Do want. I've been looking for a reason to go back to YDL. Ubuntu simply won't work with my damn display.
 
Kinan said:
Gnash, sound, wireless and sixaxis support out of the box? Guess its time to dive in. :)
Gotta wait a month for free download though.
Click to expand...

Usually the torrents become available well before Terrasoft puts it on their servers. I'm honestly not sure about the legality of that... All the code is freely redistributable under the GPL, but sometimes Distro maintainers pull flakey copyright shit on their art assets or a specific part of the OS that is not GPL.
 
wow, since i dont want to format my HDD (yet) is there a way to bring YDL as some kind of "live" version on a usb stick or external usb HDD ? That would be great. Great features, specially CELL 3.0 SDK is damn interesting. We should see some great stuff in the ps3dev scene since alot of people were waiting for this.

I really liked that Megabox project, maybe it can go to version 2.0 with some real working features now and add real sixaxis support :lol
 
carlosp said:
wow, since i dont want to format my HDD (yet) is there a way to bring YDL as some kind of "live" version on a usb stick or external usb HDD ? That would be great. Great features, specially CELL 3.0 SDK is damn interesting. We should see some great stuff in the ps3dev scene since alot of people were waiting for this.

I really liked that Megabox project, maybe it can go to version 2.0 with some real working features now and add real sixaxis support :lol
Click to expand...

not really. you can boot from an external hard drive, but you still need an "OtherOS" partition for the Kboot bootloader.

what's stopping you from formatting? You can backup all your saves to a thumbdrive and re-download any PSN purchases without penalty (super easy). You can also use the backup utility to create an image of your PS3 data on an external device and restore it after the format (somewhat time consuming).
 
theBishop said:
not really. you can boot from an external hard drive, but you still need an "OtherOS" partition for the Kboot bootloader.

what's stopping you from formatting? You can backup all your saves to a thumbdrive and re-download any PSN purchases without penalty (super easy). You can also use the backup utility to create an image of your PS3 data on an external device and restore it after the format (somewhat time consuming).
Click to expand...

yeah but more then 30 gig movies, demos and music needs a lot of time to be restored :) i guess i will use the backup option. How long would it take to do that?
 
Gnash doesn't seem like it works on most sites. You can't play flash games or watch youtube videos.. I'm not even sure what it does.

That being said are there any flash players that work with the ppc64 YDL besides Gnash??
 
Okay so I'm thinking of jumping into PS3 Linux I have a few questions though

1) Is it actually usable on SDTV's. I can install it using a HDTV if necessary but it would be used on an SDTV
2) I have a server PC beside the PS3 can I bridge the internet connection?
3) I'd be using it mostly for Emulators are they mostly full speed?
 
MiloFoxburr said:
Okay so I'm thinking of jumping into PS3 Linux I have a few questions though

1) Is it actually usable on SDTV's. I can install it using a HDTV if necessary but it would be used on an SDTV
2) I have a server PC beside the PS3 can I bridge the internet connection?
3) I'd be using it mostly for Emulators are they mostly full speed?
Click to expand...

1) Yes, but HDTV is obviously better

2) You could configure that, but why aren't you using a dedicated router?

3) Dunno, NES and SNES probably.
 
theBishop said:
2) You could configure that, but why aren't you using a dedicated router?
Click to expand...

I do, it's just I'm on an older PS3 Firmware that doesn't give Linux access to the wireless card. So rather than update I figured I'd bridge the connection

Thanks for the quick response :)
 
MiloFoxburr said:
I do, it's just I'm on an older PS3 Firmware that doesn't give Linux access to the wireless card. So rather than update I figured I'd bridge the connection

Thanks for the quick response :)
Click to expand...

if you're going to bridge the connection, why not just plug directly into the router? or are they in different rooms/floors?

also, why don't you upgrade the firmware?

also, I think wireless access was a linux driver issue, not a firmware issue so you might be fine with the new YDL release.
 
theBishop said:
if you're going to bridge the connection, why not just plug directly into the router? or are they in different rooms/floors?

also, why don't you upgrade the firmware?

also, I think wireless access was a linux driver issue, not a firmware issue so you might be fine with the new YDL release.
Click to expand...

Router is downstairs close to the cable modem. Tried to move it upstairs before but then the cable modem wouldn't connect anymore (Signal wasn't strong enough). Rather then have a cable going up the stairs I have a wireless dongle in the PC

I don't play games on the PS3 (Bar Resistance which plays fine) and I dunno since the PSP I've been weary about firmwares :lol

I remember reading that you needed at least firmware 1.6 or 1.8 for Wireless but maybe not. It's why I was put off doing it originally but now with the other PC in the room I can bridge the connection
 
So what's the story here? I can't imagine there have been no advancements since February.

I am thinking about getting a HTPC, or a MacMini to serve the same purpose. I'd LOVE it if I could get a PS3 for this and kill 2 birds with one stone.

Any word on Ubuntu? Yellow Dog updates? How does VLC run? Or does anyone have a link to a good FAQ about this?
 
gabe90 said:
I am thinking about getting a HTPC, or a MacMini to serve the same purpose.
Click to expand...

Does the MacMini really have enough grunt to serve as a media machine? It's still stuck with the ancient GMA900 graphics if I recall correctly.
 
I stopped following PSubuntu as in March there was some kind of shake-up and development, or at least official news and site updates pertaining to, was halted.

http://psubuntu.com/

Looking today seems they have a new build in the works which is good. Hopefully they can make some breakthroughs and provide a higher level of functionality. The ability to play DIVX movies native on my PS3 has put the kibosh on needing to boot Linux for me, but if they could get MAME working with a Dual Shock. It's on like Donkey Kong. :D
 
Danj said:
Does the MacMini really have enough grunt to serve as a media machine? It's still stuck with the ancient GMA900 graphics if I recall correctly.
Click to expand...
I'm not sure. I've been using XBMC for so long, I feel like the PS3/360 wouldn't meet my needs with file compatibility, and I figure the MacMini MUST be more powerful than the ancient Xbox 1 hardware.

Correct me if I'm wrong.

Anyways, does anyone use the Linux on their PS3 regularly and accomplish all of their media needs through it?
 
gabe90 said:
I'm not sure. I've been using XBMC for so long, I feel like the PS3/360 wouldn't meet my needs with file compatibility, and I figure the MacMini MUST be more powerful than the ancient Xbox 1 hardware.

Correct me if I'm wrong.

Anyways, does anyone use the Linux on their PS3 regularly and accomplish all of their media needs through it?
Click to expand...
AFAIK, the GPU is still locked on firmware ≥ 2.10 and Cell/SPU ports are still crawling in development. PS3 Linux is currently useless for what you want IMO.

What type of files are you planning on using in your new media box? So far I've had little trouble playing a video file in the PS3 Game OS.
 
gabe90 said:
I'm not sure. I've been using XBMC for so long, I feel like the PS3/360 wouldn't meet my needs with file compatibility, and I figure the MacMini MUST be more powerful than the ancient Xbox 1 hardware.

Correct me if I'm wrong.
Click to expand...

Its processor certainly is, but it's crippled by the shit graphics. Even Xbox 1's graphics chip is better, although of course it's unable to handle HD resolutions.
 
Your best bet is probably to just build a HTPC and run XBMC on it. There is Mac and Linux port of it as well as Windows version, although Linux and Mac port are much further along than the Windows version. If you are interested in HD content, MacMini isn't going to cut it.
 
I would of thought there would more support for getting a fully featured linux onto the ps3,why did the Xbox get more attention with XBMC,especially with miedia centres becoming more commonplace?Is it the limitations Sony have in place?

How exactly have Sony locked the GPU?Something to do with firmware I'm guessing?
 
XBMC on Xbox had nothing to do with Linux and ran unrestricted just like any other game. With PS3 it's a restricted enviroment with half the RAM and no RSX support.
 
Killthee said:
AFAIK, the GPU is still locked on firmware ≥ 2.10 and Cell/SPU ports are still crawling in development. PS3 Linux is currently useless for what you want IMO.

What type of files are you planning on using in your new media box? So far I've had little trouble playing a video file in the PS3 Game OS.
Click to expand...

Danj said:
Its processor certainly is, but it's crippled by the shit graphics. Even Xbox 1's graphics chip is better, although of course it's unable to handle HD resolutions.
Click to expand...

Wow! These answers are really interesting.

I agree with Domlolz in that I'm surprised that there isn't a larger community developing for this. I mean, Sony pretty much endorsed this, and the community hasn't grown to be even as large as the Xbox.

Either way, this has drastically changed my plans...in that I won't be using a PS3 as a HTPC anytime soon...but I'll keep watching this thread to see if any improvements come along.
 
angelfly said:
XBMC on Xbox had nothing to do with Linux and ran unrestricted just like any other game. With PS3 it's a restricted enviroment with half the RAM and no RSX support.
Click to expand...

I wasn't saying that XMBC and Linux were in any way related to one another,I just didn't really understand how a media centre which needs a modded console(and whatever else) in the first place seemed to of been a lot more active than something supported right out of the box and encouraged by Sony(it's not like Sony is helping this)

I don't really get why Sony has restricted access to the RSX,unless they have fears of piracy?And half the ram?What is that being used for?

Sony really could market the potential for the ps3 being a home computer as well,well the potential is there,just they don't seem to want people to do it
 
domlolz said:
I wasn't saying that XMBC and Linux were in any way related to one another,I just didn't really understand how a media centre which needs a modded console(and whatever else) in the first place seemed to of been a lot more active than something supported right out of the box and encouraged by Sony(it's not like Sony is helping this)

I don't really get why Sony has restricted access to the RSX,unless they have fears of piracy?And half the ram?What is that being used for?

Sony really could market the potential for the ps3 being a home computer as well,well the potential is there,just they don't seem to want people to do it
Click to expand...
It's not that easy to write support for accelerated graphics on this architecture. I suspect Sony isn't doing anything /progressing slowly because there's no profit in it. And they're not releasing technical dox to prevent product piracy, maybe?
About the half RAM - I recall the CPU and the RSX sharing RAM, maybe that's part of the issue? I don't really know..
 
The GPU is indeed unusable, the overall system only has 256 megs of ram that can be used, 256 being dedicated to the RSX.

The Cell is a difficult CPU, certainly moreso than the Xbox. You aren't going to get anything worthwhile with no GPU and a processor no-one can be bothered coding for.
 
The Take Out Bandit said:
I stopped following PSubuntu as in March there was some kind of shake-up and development, or at least official news and site updates pertaining to, was halted.

http://psubuntu.com/

Looking today seems they have a new build in the works which is good. Hopefully they can make some breakthroughs and provide a higher level of functionality. The ability to play DIVX movies native on my PS3 has put the kibosh on needing to boot Linux for me, but if they could get MAME working with a Dual Shock. It's on like Donkey Kong. :D
Click to expand...
You could probably get your donkey kong ready...
 
If you have a desktop with a good CPU in the house to serve media, go get TVersity. Even if the files aren't supported, you can set the folder to transcode and it'll look fine. I just did this with some HD BSG .mkv and I was surprised that they a) transcoded fast enough and b) didn't look bad.
 
phenotypical said:
If you have a desktop with a good CPU in the house to serve media, go get TVersity. Even if the files aren't supported, you can set the folder to transcode and it'll look fine. I just did this with some HD BSG .mkv and I was surprised that they a) transcoded fast enough and b) didn't look bad.
Click to expand...
Transcoding really isn't necessary for MKV's, use mkv2vob to remux MKV's. It takes no more than 2 minutes and there's no quality loss. I was able watch all of this years HD BSG mkv's on my PS3 by remuxing them with mkv2vob.
 
I'm digging this up because I don't have the authority to start a new thread, so apologies if that annoys anyone.

My question is: I was semi-drunkenly installing Ubuntu 7.10 to my new PS3 last night, got it to work alright, but would now like to see whether 8.10 (which I ignorantly overlooked in my rush to mess around with the system) will work better. Can I just load this over the previous version without deleting anything first, or should I do some partitioning to clear things out first? I am a Linux noob

Also, I know this is the Yellow Dog thread (EDIT: ignore this, originally posted in different thread), so would anyone strongly suggest that over Ubuntu? My laptop recently died, so I'd be looking to do a range of standard computing tasks (typing docs, web surfing, nothing fancy) with it.

Thanks.
 
doktorpeace said:
I'm digging this up because I don't have the authority to start a new thread, so apologies if that annoys anyone.

My question is: I was semi-drunkenly installing Ubuntu 7.10 to my new PS3 last night, got it to work alright, but would now like to see whether 8.10 (which I ignorantly overlooked in my rush to mess around with the system) will work better. Can I just load this over the previous version without deleting anything first, or should I do some partitioning to clear things out first? I am a Linux noob

Also, I know this is the Yellow Dog thread, so would anyone strongly suggest that over Ubuntu? My laptop recently died, so I'd be looking to do a range of standard computing tasks (typing docs, web surfing, nothing fancy) with it.

Thanks.
Click to expand...


open a terminal and write: sudo update-manager -d
 
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