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PS2 Linux Kit Shipping in May
subharmonic writes: "Sony announced through an e-mail that the Linux PS2 kits were available for pre-order. The kits should be shipped May 22nd. There's a FAQ and a order site."
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What's the point? Would you use it to do stuff other then games? Or is it strictly a BOO microsoft kinda thing.
What exactly is the point of this? I know we've gone over this before in previous Linux PS2 articles, but it never really seems to add up. If you want to play games, you buy a console. If you are the type of person who wants to run Linux (and has a broadband connection to use the PS2's ethernet adapter), then you already have a computer (and you probably consider it and its brothers/sisters members of your family). If you don't, then you're probably experiencing phantom pains.
The problem I see is that the PS2 + Linux kit isn't really cheap enough to justify itself, except for the nerd-factor. It's a lot of money, and for what? So your lazy ass doesn't have to walk to the other room to check Slashdot during a break in your gaming?
It certainly isn't for the wealth of Linux gaming software. So what gives? Is this another "just because I can" deal? Doesn't building your own box appeal more to people who think that way?
visit the hwky website for a lyrical genius infusion.
I think this is going to be a great opportunity for people wanting to "get into" Linux but who don't want to commit the resources neccessary for converting a normal system to Linux. I myself have been wanting to run a dedicated Linux box for a while, but dual booting my main system is out of the question, and I don't have any spare boxes laying around. Now my PS2 can be a valuable part of my home network between sessions of GTA3 and FFX.
I hope a lot of other gamer/geeks will take this opportunity as well - it's a good chance to learn more about the PS2 as well as Linux. Now if only I could get it to be my dedicated RtCW server...
Unless, of course, scissors can't cut rock...
Also, once the HD is formatted for Linux, you won't be able to use it for your PS2 games that use the HD. Oh, and there's STILL no network connectivity with that guy. Linux w/out a network connection is like ummmm.... yeah
Where the wind blows, the tumbleweed goes.
2.2.18 was released how long ago?
now compare that "how long ago" to the release date of the japanese ps2 kit, now take that date, times it by two point 6, then take away approximitly 2% of that answer and now you have the time when they finished the work on porting PS2 to linux. To get the start date, simply times everything by 2 and add 4 years onto that.
I'm a big retard who forgot to log out of Slashdot on Mike's computer! LOOK AT ME.
I... initially thought about the cost, but then realized...
40GB IDE drive = $80-$120
proprietary NIC >= generic $20 NIC
proprietary cable >= generic $15 VGA cable
USB kb/mouse >= generic $30 USB kb/mouse
You're looking at $150-$200+ of stuff, but not counting the extra cost that comes with proprietary work and smaller production cycles. For how much? $199? And... that's without consideration to the effort which was required to get Linux to work on the PS2.
So in that light, $199 is *very* reasonable, IMHO...
Bootable CD's got through a proprietary mastering process that isn't possible with any cd burner.
The PS2 is totally incapable of reading/booting CD-Rs. Don't you think that those $50 discs would be pirated left and right if it did?
Because unless the PS2 patches have gone back into the mainstream kernel, it's going to be one hell of a pain for anyone to download 2.4.18, and then attempt to apply Sony's patches against 2.2.1 to it....
They're going to provide updates as a courtesy....
why must people see a GPL violation in everything?
Advanced users are users too!