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Linux Coming to the Nintendo DS
GamersZion writes "A recent IRC conversation with ChaosKnight, a member of the DS Linux development team, revealed information about the status of the DS Linux project. 'It was a bit tough to get the ball rolling, but with PassMe fully functional and everything starting to fall in order, I wouldn't be surprised to see an alpha release within the next month.' While little information is being revealed about the release of this anticipated software, it looks like we can be expecting it sometime in the short future."
I am not going to rain on these guys' parade, I think that they ought to do whatever floats their boat. If hacking Linux onto the DS is their "thing", more power to them.
But I wonder what people are doing with their exotic Linux installations. Linux on the PS2, on a toaster, on the blender, etc. What are these used for besides showing off? Is there some real-life application to having Linux on these things?
It seems the PSP is not the only handheld that is being developed on now, this is great news for nintendo fans, as the buzz about the psp "web browser" and other modifications had the posibility to increase market share dramatically for the psp
If stuff like this comes out for the DS, it will put both the consoles on a more even playing field for sales, and therefore neither will be favoured by games producers as much.
Business Voyeur
Real life uses for Linux on teh DS:
1: Homebrew game environment...this would allow people to make games for the version of linux that the ds is running on, instead of having to hard code everything in the ds language, you could just use the linux commands
2: Palm Capablities: Think about it! Internet browser, Calculator, Contact manager, 2 large screens, wireless....+ games
3: I want linux on my ds, it would be cool because i guess with some heavy programming, you could eventually "hijack" other ds's and put whatever you want on them or somthing
4: Its not windows
Your skill in reading has increased by one point!
Because it might actually be useful?
Set up the DS with a browser, use the wireless to get on the internet, the touchscreen would make a great way to navigate the net or type. You could turn it into a PDA of sorts.
Ignoring that Mario 64 is still a great game (and still fun, even if dated), I wonder how it is some people seem to ignore the fact that there are still countless great GBA games that will play on a DS.
Even if they are ignored for simply not being specifically for the DS, that's still more good games than are available for the PSP.
In fact, I personally only really consider Lumines to be the only good game for the PSP. I can't play my copy though. I've had to return NINE PSPs for being defective (in several different ways) and am currently now without a PSP.
"Everything you know is wrong. (And stupid.)"
Moderation Totals: Wrong=2, Stupid=3, Total=5.
I would very much like to see an X server run on the DS. With the touchscreen, it would make a very nice PDA
I know you were being funny, but this does open up the door for potentially running MAME (Multiple Arcade Machine Emulator). The DS is an interesting platform for this since the lower screen could be used to insert quarters, push Player 1/2 start buttons, etc.
Of course, I'd really be wanting this on the PSP with its gorgeous screen (if you own one, you know what I'm talking about). Since it has a memory card (better to hold games with) it would probably be the better overall MAME platform. I'm getting excited just thinking about it.
Sunny
Be my Friend
I have yet to see either run on a TI calculator (z80 [82/83/84/85/86] or m68k [89, 92]). I don't think Linux runs on any Z80 [please correct me if I am wrong], so there goes my two TRS-80s (one model 3, one CoCo), and also my two Sharp 1500s (one 1500A, one 1500; these are the same as the TRS-80 PC-2s)
Video Production Support
You should get a Zaurus. http://openzaurus.org
The days of the digital watch are numbered.
Sure, the "run Linux on your toaster" articles are fun and all, but unlike most this actually has potential. The DS would make an excellent multimedia PDA: Touchscreen for a decent form of input, stereo speakers, dual screens backed up by a more than decent graphics card, compact size, and 2 forms of wireless networking (assuming these can get the proprietary shortrange networking to work in Linux.) I could see myself replacing my Dell Axim with a Linux powered DS if this project ever matures to that point. Good luck to the developers!
I am very seriously interested in buying whatever is necessary to make this work as soon as it's possible. But one very big question.
HOW DO I RUN THIS?
How do I actually load up this ds linux thing? Like, onto the DS? What the hell is a "passme" or a "passthrough"? I'm looking at the photos of "passme" on the front page of dslinux.org and going ugh. I don't understand what's happening in these photos but if I have to have some big thing sticking out of the back of my DS or plug the DS into the computer every time I want to run linux on it... that's not acceptable. I won't bother.
At what point will I be able to somehow plug a little all-rewritable DS card into my computer (preferably my mac), load a linux kernel onto it, and then three days later just pull it out of my pocket, stick it in the DS, and boot?