Slashdot Mirror

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

Installing Yellow Dog Linux on the PS3

Posted by Zonk on from the puppy-for-playstation dept.

johnnyb writes "A new series of articles is out on IBM DeveloperWorks on programming the PS3. The first article is up, discussing the installation of Yellow Dog Linux and first steps in programming the Cell BE Processor on this platform. From the article: ' It is unusual for gaming consoles to allow foreign operating systems to be installed on them. Since consoles are usually sold at a loss, they are usually locked down to prevent games from running on them without the publisher paying royalties to the console developer. Sony decided to open up the PS3 console a little bit, and allow third-party operating systems to be installed, with the caveat that they do not get accelerated graphics. Because of this, you can now install Linux on the PS3. You have to jump through a few hoops, but it definitely works.'"

5 of 90 comments (clear)

  1. Re:How badly locked down? by seebs · · Score: 4, Informative

    No access to GPU at all; all you get is a framebuffer.

    --
    My blog: http://www.seebs.net/log/ --- My iPhone/iPad app: http://www.seebs.net/seebsfrac/
  2. Re:Question... by Xymor · · Score: 4, Interesting

    Installing YDL doesn't remove your ablility to play games. PS3 uses dual-boot, original proprieraty OS for games, blu-rays and dvds movies and "Other OS" for whatever you feel like.

    There's no modding involved. There's even instructions on how to install your 2nd OS of choice on your PS3.

  3. Re:Question... by bucky0 · · Score: 4, Informative

    From what I understand, the PS3 hypervisor actually blocks calls to the GPU, outside of framebuffer calls. Sony did this with the PS2 linux kit as well, and said it was to prevent piracy, and to keep people from just running free linux games on the console (because they sell the consoles at a loss, if a bunch of people buy them up and then play free games, it would be a money losing venture for sony)

    That said, I think it's kinda dumb, especially since microsoft provides an extremely low cost way to develop Xbox360 games that use all the bells and whistles.

    --

    -Bucky
  4. Re:Question... by Otter · · Score: 4, Informative
    Personally, I think Japan is building a gigantic supercomputer out of PS3s ;)

    That's precisely what this YDL distribution is aimed at. (I submitted this story here multiple times back when it happened, figuring that eventually it would take priority over the day's Jack Thompson story, but no dice.)

    --
    What I'm listening to now on Pandora...
  5. Re:Irrational Yellow Dog Fascination by johnnyb · · Score: 4, Informative

    As far as I'm aware, while there is an addon CD available for Fedora for the PS3, it is not an officially-supported part of Fedora.

    In addition, Sony hired YDL (actually TerraSoft) specifically to do this port, so the YDL developers have better support potential.

    I would stick with YDL on the PS3 simply because they actually have a commitment to the platform.

    --
    Engineering and the Ultimate