Gamecube Linux Port Announced, In Progress

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Gamecube Linux Port Announced, In Progress

Posted by simoniker on Tuesday January 20, 2004 @12:39AM from the teh-console-domination dept.

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'."

16 of 258 comments (clear)

Very small by Anonymous Coward · 2004-01-20 00:41 · Score: 4, Funny

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
Wait a sec, go back to the part about it being small again...
Next Gen... by TiMac · 2004-01-20 00:41 · Score: 4, Insightful

By the time this is finished enough to be "useful" the next generation of hardware will be out or imminent....why not think of this stuff when the hardware is new? Xbox Linux crew did...
But now the Xbox 2, PS3, and GameCube successor (name?) are looming, so....how about waiting til then, and starting on those immediately?

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1. Re:Next Gen... by Xpilot · 2004-01-20 00:44 · Score: 5, Insightful
  
  By the time this is finished enough to be "useful" the next generation of hardware will be out or imminent....why not think of this stuff when the hardware is new? Xbox Linux crew did...
  
  Perhaps, so that old "obsolete" hardware continues to be "useful"? Besides, I wouldn't want to install Lunix on my Gamecube if it were brand spanking new, I'd be using it to play games.
  
  --
  "Backups are for wimps. Real men upload their data to an FTP site and have everyone else mirror it." -- Linus Torvalds
2. Re:Next Gen... by TiMac · 2004-01-20 00:49 · Score: 5, Informative
  
  Well, one of the arguments for Xbox Linux that the Xbox was a really cheap PC (essentially) so running Linux on it was a good way to get a solid machine for not much money. I can see this as much of the same thing--GameCube is cheaper still. So that's one reason you might want to run Linux on a brand-new machine--it'll be cheaper than a lot of PCs out there for what it will be used for.
  Accourse, I could be wrong....but this whole thing seems extraneous.
  
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3. Re:Next Gen... by MrRTFM · 2004-01-20 00:57 · Score: 5, Funny
  
  I know what you're saying, but not everyone has the dollars to get the latest game console.
  
  If all you have is an GameCube, and your bored with playing the games - then WTF - hack away!
  You have nothing to lose**, and you'll learn heaps doing this stuff - well done!
  
  **apart from stupid lawsuits, angry Dads and potentially the local Fire department :)
  
  --
  You can't expect to wield supreme executive power, just because some watery tart threw a sword at you
4. Re:Next Gen... by Anonymous Coward · 2004-01-20 01:27 · Score: 5, Informative
  
  Maybe you should read the stuff you comment on.
  
  GC Linux project is actually from the guys who
  also started XBOX Linux. And the webpage also
  says...
  
  Q: GC is old... why now?
  A: The XBOX had to come first
  
  and as a side notice. All looks like XBOX2 will
  be a PPC. So why not learn on GC how PPC works.
  All the XBOX Linux guys are x86 experts, but
  they need to learn PPC *BEFORE* xbox2 is out
5. Re:Next Gen... by lambent · 2004-01-20 02:57 · Score: 4, Insightful
  
  What's the point?
  
  What the hell was the point in porting UNIX to a x86 architechture? Isn't that that chip that was based on chips originally used to control ballistic missiles back in the 70s?
  
  What the hell was the point of emulating windows apps on unix? You geeks whined and whined and got your own OS; why don't you get your own freakin' software, too?
  
  What the hell was the point of ...
  
  oh just fsck it.
  
  They did it because it was there. Proprietary hardware and software are the Mt. Everests of the geek.
  
  I, for one, look forward to my new thin-client multimedia center.
Does it boot with... by wheresdrew · 2004-01-20 00:43 · Score: 5, Funny

"It's'a me, Tux!"
Gamepad by upside · 2004-01-20 00:44 · Score: 4, Funny

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.

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I'm sorry if I haven't offended anyone
BZFlag by Loconut1389 · 2004-01-20 00:48 · Score: 4, Interesting

Similarly, there is a BZFlag GameCube port in the works. http://www.webtrotter.com/bzflag
Nice Media station by freidog · 2004-01-20 00:49 · Score: 4, Interesting

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.
Excellent point by Sheetrock · 2004-01-20 00:53 · Score: 5, Informative

But unfortunately, the extensibility of a product once it is in the hands of the consumer has been realized by corporate culture to be something that is better controlled than given away.
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.

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Try not. Do or do not, there is no try.
-- Dr. Spock, stardate 2822-3.
While this is neat and all .. by Kalroth · 2004-01-20 00:57 · Score: 4, Interesting

.. 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.
Re:I hope Nintendo has more decency than Microsoft by wheresdrew · 2004-01-20 00:57 · Score: 4, Informative

Well, the Gamecube is the most import-friendly console there is. Even before the Freeloader boot disc (or the Action Replay with Freeloader code), the Cube was the easiest mod ever.
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!
Re:Legal implications? by Troed · 2004-01-20 00:58 · Score: 4, Interesting

Due to a flaw tmbinc found it's "easy" to extract the necessary key needed to "encrypt" (XOR .. ) a BIOS that the GC will boot. This BIOS could be a pure Linux kernel, untainted by any Nintendo trademarks, copyrights etc.

(And to prevent followup questions, no, it's not enough that the GC BIOS encryption is hacked to allow playing of games off mini-DVDr. It was on the Xbox, but Nintendo has additional security measures)

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it's in my head
How they run the homebrew code by galaga79 · 2004-01-20 00:58 · Score: 5, Informative

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.

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aus.music.scrapbook