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BlackRhino Linux Now Available for PlayStation 2

Posted by michael on from the charging-penguins dept.

Mr. Spock writes "BlackRhino Linux has been released for the PlayStation 2. It's developed independently by xRhino, a middleware developer. Check out the details and download instructions on the official website. A Playstation 2 Linux kit is required to use BlackRhino."

4 of 233 comments (clear)

  1. questions about PS2 linux by stratjakt · · Score: 4, Interesting

    First off, where the hell do you get it from?

    And I'm wondering about this:
    "NOTE: Linux Kit (for PlayStation 2) is a tool for Linux enthusiasts and programmers only. It will NOT enhance your PlayStation 2 games. The hard disk drive formatted for Linux cannot be used with HDD-compatible PlayStation 2 games."

    So can you still play games? If you wanted to play a HDD compatible game (if one existed) would you have to switch HDDs?

    And whats the deal with the requirements?
    "REQUIRES A PLAYSTATION 2 SYSTEM, VGA MONITOR [WITH SYNC-ON-GREEN CAPABILITY] AND MEMORY CARD (8MB) (FOR PLAYSTATI0N 2) [DEDICATED TO LINUX KIT USE], ALL SOLD SEPARATELY."

    1st off, why cant I use the TV as a display? And what is an 8 meg memory card needed for if it comes with a 40 gig HDD?

    --
    I don't need no instructions to know how to rock!!!!
  2. So you need the Linux kit to use this by N0decam · · Score: 4, Interesting

    Let me get this straight - I need the linux kit to run this linux distro?

    Wake me up when there's a bootable DVD distro that doesn't require any additional hardware.

    Back in my day all we had for input devices were dual shock controllers :P

  3. Another thing to consider.... by webroach · · Score: 5, Interesting

    ...is that this is NOT about the cool things you can do with linux. It's about a tool for people who are interested in learning how to develop games for console systems.

    I agree, if you just like playing games on your PS2 and working with linux in general, then the PS2 linux kit is a HUGE waste of money.

    HOWEVER: For the people out there who would like to someday make a living actually developing games for the PS2, it's a VERY inexpensive way to come really close to Sony's actual Playstation DevKit (last time I looked, the prices for a DTL-10K from Sony was WAAAYYYY more than the price of the linux kit.)

    Remember, it's just a matter of the right tool for the job. If you're coding for AMD, use an AMD system. If you're coding for the PS2.....

  4. Re:Why? by Vince · · Score: 5, Interesting

    I use my PS2 Linux kit as a set-top embedded device. It makes a very nice home MP3 player (I have a cherry GTK GUI going on it), and I can play old NES games on it. These are things you could do with a cheap PC, but if you already have a PS2, I think it's better to go with the Linux kit.

    Oh, and that 40G hard drive it came with is by far the biggest one I have outside my TiVo, so I sometimes use it as a file server, though it's not great for that.