Slashdot Mirror
Gamecube Linux Port Announced, In Progress
NiteStar writes "A group of people from the homebrew scene and Xbox Linux have now started a new project to port Linux to the Nintendo Gamecube. A small preview version has already been released, it's a small application that draws Tux the penguin on the GameCube screen. The roadmap explains a small client will run on the Gamecube, so the 'GameCube could be used as a desktop computer, which stores its data on a server on the network. The GameCube has a CPU that is powerful enough to decode common multimedia data like MPEG-4/DivX and MP3. It can serve as a display unit for content stored on a server'."
Wait a sec, go back to the part about it being small again...
But now the Xbox 2, PS3, and GameCube successor (name?) are looming, so....how about waiting til then, and starting on those immediately?
"It's'a me, Tux!"
As cool as these things are to play around with, they aren't worth sullying the GNU/Linux name... especially with the SCO situation looming. Does anybody know if this sort of concern is present with this code?
Try not. Do or do not, there is no try.
-- Dr. Spock, stardate 2822-3.
I look forward to writing those shellscripts a character at a time using a gamepad. Like I don't get RSI from the mouse and keyboard as it is...
And using an ordinary TV for a screen? No thanks.
I'm sorry if I haven't offended anyone
I cant wait to get KDE 3.2 on this thing. Then I will have a Game Kube!
Similarly, there is a BZFlag GameCube port in the works. http://www.webtrotter.com/bzflag
not as good as the xbox
No hard drive for easy locale storage. And may not be as simple as flipping a switch to boot from linux or from the default enviorment (i'm not sure how they're overriding the default start up)
but for gc owners a nice addition to it's funconality. The ability to stream music, and / or video via a silent (and micro) computer. No real fan noise in the background when listening to music, and a much better video out quality than S-Video on the typical video card.
There were any number of hobbyist platforms in the 70s and 80s. They're not around anymore. The people that control the industry today got their start on programming and hardware on these machines and are all too happy to remove that opportunity for the next generation. Some might think it's a bit hypocritical, but it's really about cutting out the competition.
Besides, if just anyone can write for or modify these things, that cuts out the revenue stream from licensing. The future will be in renting, not buying. And really, they've got every right to control the product if we keep buying it.
Try not. Do or do not, there is no try.
-- Dr. Spock, stardate 2822-3.
.. I don't see it as anything but YaLC (yet another linux conversion) or in short, just a hobby.
I just can't see it working as a cheap thin client, due to all the (extra) needed accessories, like keyboard, mouse, etc. XBOX would probably be much better for this, due to DVD + HDD.
And as for the multimedia terminal, I'd personally rather have one machine that does it all; acts as tv recorder, multimedia player, storage server and even all that in silence, so it can stand next to the TV. Again the XBOX would most likely be better for this.
Having said that, I think it's a neat project. If I was a kernel monkey, I'd probably spend some time on it too. I also love messing around with new projects myself. I'm not trying to troll (honestly!:), just expressing my concerns/views on the project.
A gamebit, screwdriver and some solder are all you need to change a US system to a Japanese one, or vice-versa. Add a switch and some wire and you have a dual-mode system - no chip required. The ROMs on the board even have the system menus in both Japanese and English.
Sure, it still voids your warranty, but it's a lot less hassle than modding a PS2 or Xbox. Heck, it's even easier than modding a PS1. Thanks, Nintendo!
For anyone like myself wondering how they run the homebrew code on something that doesn't employ a standard CD format the FAQ has some - ableit brief - answers.
### Can I just burn a 8 cm CD/DVD and use it in the GameCube? ###
No. The GameCube reads no CDs/DVDs. There is no way to produce a GameCube compatible optical media using a CD/DVD burner.
### So do I run homebrew code on the GameCube? ###
The PSOload method is the only way.
### What do I need in order to run homebrew code? ###
A GameCube, any version of "Phantasy Star Online", a "Broadband Adapter", a memory card, and PSOload.
### Do I need a modchip? ###
There are no modchips.
All sounds kind of cumbersome IMHO.
aus.music.scrapbook
How on earth is this going to be useful? The GameCube uses a proprietary media format, so in order to boot anything that's not an official game, you need to use the Phantasy Star Online-exploit.
Which means that you would have to boot up the GC like you normally would, load PSO, do the exploit-thingy and then begin streaming Linux to the console from your PC/server/whatever via the Broadband Adapter. Am I the only one who thinks this is way to big of a hassle?
I mean, Linux on the Dreamcast was just a matter of throwing in a DC-Linux cd and hitting the power button. By comparison, this GameCube hack is cumbersome, to put it mildly. Why not just buy an Xbox and screw Microsoft over?
The GC is small, runs quietly, and has decent audio and video outputs. It's already sitting in my living room, where my large TV and sound system are. If, in addition to games, it can be used to play media that lives on my network then so much the better!
I can think of othere uses. RSS feed displayer, anyone? :-)
-- MG
Why not?
This will add a lot of functionality to an aging piece of hardware. Why go out and build/buy a media center when you can just port linux onto an old Gamecube?