Yellow Dog Linux v5.0 for PS3 Announced

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Yellow Dog Linux v5.0 for PS3 Announced

Posted by ryuzaki0 on Monday October 16, 2006 @03:01AM from the some-people-seem-to-care dept.

News for nerds writes "Yellow Dog Linux v5.0 is slated for release mid-November with support for the Sony PS3 first, and support for the former Apple PowerPC product line to follow. Any updates required to support the Apple PowerPC systems following the release for PS3 will be made available via a free download."

11 of 142 comments (clear)

PSP Homebrew by WilyCoder · 2006-10-16 03:09 · Score: 5, Insightful

Given Sony's behavior regarding the PSP and using homebrew on it, I am highly skeptical of this PS3 linux project. How can we be sure that Sony will not resort to forcing firmware upgrades on new games? Some of the latest firmware upgrades for PSP do absolutely nothing but thrwat homebrew attempts. Sony has suddenly done a 180 on homebrew? And for its flagship product?

Lest we not forget how crippled the PS2 linux project was (the $700 one)....
1. Re:PSP Homebrew by SQLz · 2006-10-16 04:34 · Score: 4, Interesting
  
  Sony is pushing PS3 homebrew development big time. They are building an entire community around Linux PS3 development. This is not normal Sony behavior for sure but, its in their best interest to do so. They are HEAVY Linux in the office ($1 to Microsoft is an investment into Microsoft) and basically, it revolves around the idea that the PS3 is going to be more of a personal computer / home entertainment / gaming box. At E3, Sony exec Izumu Kawabishi said "Because we have plans for having Linux on board the PS3 we also recognise Linux programming activities and we'de like to see various individuals participate in content creation for the PS3". The advantage is that more people will understand the architecture and create cool software for it. Its going to be sweet.
Cell servers? by otacon · 2006-10-16 03:09 · Score: 5, Insightful

Considering IBM is making cell processor blade servers, this release further allows end-users to opprotunity to use that same hardware for production and testing purposes, and at what should be fraction of the price.

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In a world of acronyms, the words are the real victims.
seems sketchy by Aurisor · 2006-10-16 03:09 · Score: 4, Interesting

As I remember, Yellow Dog Linux was one of the better linux distros for macs back when they were still on the PowerPC platform. Now that the PowerPC platform is pretty much defunct, I can't help but think that them moving to a:

- Unreleased gaming console
- which has been much-maligned for its excessively high price
- and huge production delays
- on a new processor architecture
- using a WM that's not even out of CVS

seems like biting off more than they can chew, and smacks a bit of desperation.

Don't get me wrong, I think it's possible, and once I get a PS3 (once the prices get down to sane levels) I think it'll be a neat product to play with...but I'm just glad I don't own any stock in terrasoft :)
1. Re:seems sketchy by gEvil+(beta) · 2006-10-16 03:32 · Score: 4, Informative
  
  Now that the PowerPC platform is pretty much defunct...
  
  You might want to let IBM know about that. It seems that they didn't get the memo.
  
  --
  This guy's the limit!
2. Re:seems sketchy by bWareiWare.co.uk · 2006-10-16 03:46 · Score: 4, Informative
  
  That would be the same PowerPC architecture that the PS3 uses then. The OS runs on the PowerPC derived PPE, the SPE are no use to an OS. All the OS can do is expose them is some useful way to userspace.
  
  Sony are sinking some serious PR money into Terra Soft (the makers of Yellow Dog Linux) to develop some "PS3 based supercomputers":
  
  http://www.cbronline.com/article_news.asp?guid=773 06D92-BC68-4133-B226-23636E116221
  
  - Unreleased gaming console
  The CELL was never going to be only for gaming consoles. YDL will be used on several of the biggest supercomputers in the world in a couple of years, not to mention a bucket load of IBM blade servers.
  
  - which has been much-maligned for its excessively high price
  No one ever said hi-end computing would be cheap.
  
  - and huge production delays
  Yes, but they are backed by Sony, they will already have their shipments earmarked.
  
  - on a new processor architecture
  Which is a derivative of the one they are the leading Linux experts on, and is likely to be a very major market in the coming years.
  
  - using a WM that's not even out of CVS
  Their core market is servers so this is totally irrelevant. I suppose they just wanted something flashy for the expos. (you don't get more flashy then a WM that can bring a 2Gb dual core gaming rig to its knees running xterm!)
Re:Using the joypad?! by MBCook · 2006-10-16 03:19 · Score: 4, Interesting

<sarcasm>Yeah, it's not like the PS3 has USB ports.
Just like the PS2 didn't have USB ports.</sarcasm>
Seriously though, while anyone with a brain would use a USB mouse and keyboard, I'd love to see them make a joypad only interface just for the fun of it. I've got to say this whole thing is interesting, although it certainly doesn't make the $600 price tag any easier to swallow.

--
Comment forecast: Bits of genius surrounded by a sea of mediocrity.
Re:hmmm by MobileTatsu-NJG · 2006-10-16 03:20 · Score: 4, Funny

"what's a linux?"

A very powerful form of birth control.

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"I like to lick butts!" by MobileTatsu-NJG (#32700246) (Score:5, Informative)
The PS3 Details From What We Know So Far by RichardMarks · 2006-10-16 03:23 · Score: 5, Informative

Correct me if any of this is wrong...

I assume the Yellow Dog Linux system will be installed on each harddrive - along with a BluRay system disc for people who need/want to reinstall. I remember someone from Sony saying something along those lines last year.

Full set of PS3 devtools included with each PS3 for homebrew.

The PS3 has full support for USB keyboard and mouse and other standard input devices.

The PS3 will be able to drive a standard monitor at 1080p - 1920 × 1080 rez.

Don't know if there will be two different boot options - or perhaps they will be using some of the OS virtualization stuff Cell supports.

Online gaming will be free - only MMORPGs will be charging.

There will be an online movie/music store.

You will be able to buy/download PS1/PS2 to your PS3 harddrive and play them.

You will be able to buy/download PSP games to your PS3 harddrive and play them on your PSP.

There is stuff where you will be able to stream content wirelessly from your PS3 to your PSP.

1080p games - the list of 1080p native PS3 games seems to keep growing everyday - I think there are about six just for launch and about 10 - 15 I've read about.

1080p BluRay movies

HDMI connector on both versions of the PS3

Full backwards compatibility with PS1 games through software emulation.

Full backwards compatibility with PS2 games through hardware emulation - PS2 chips in every PS3.

You can replace the harddrive with any laptop drive.

Keep hearing about DLNA compliance and people being excited about that - not sure why yet

All that for 499 in the US. Wow.

Also I remember talk of future PS3 versions with more RAM or multiple Cell chips are something Sony is planning. I would die for a dual or quad Cell based system with a couple gigs of RAM running Linux for my desktop.
Possible Uses... by cfulmer · 2006-10-16 03:26 · Score: 5, Interesting

Hmmm... MythTV front-end?

Having a widely-distributed set-top box capable of running Linux could open up all sorts of interesting projects.
Funny, but... by hummassa · 2006-10-16 04:07 · Score: 4, Insightful

my two kids + the fact that I'm a user of Linux for the former 13 years ==> linux is not a really effective form of birth control.
Now, living in mom's basement and not bathing regularly everyday would be.

--
It's better to be the foot on the boot than the face on the pavement. ~~ tkx Kadin2048