Installing Linux on the PS3?

[ManBearPig]

How, and is it worth it?

What exactly would it let me do that i cant do right now?

 

[randay]

I dont think its worth it unless someone has coded some PS3 centric apps since I last checked. PS3 is low on RAM and a PC would do a much better job. of course if your a tech guy its always fun just to do it because you can.

 

[Schadenfroh]

I have Yellow Dog Linux running on my PS3. It is fairly useless due to the ultra low amount of ram and inability to access the GPU (afaik, Sony has locked users out from accessing it within Linux). The only reason one is able to install Linux on the PS3 is because if Sony gets the PS3 labeled as a computer rather than a gaming console, they get to dodge an EU tax on gaming consoles:
http://kotaku.com/gaming//why-...uro-tax-men-179245.php

Linux is therefore "gimped" on the PS3, if you want to play with Linux, download the liveCD of Ubuntu and play around with Linux on your PC without ever installing it on a computer.

 

[mugs]

I installed linux on mine... I think it was Ubuntu, but it may have been Yellow Dog Linux. I was surprised by how slow it was, it took a long time to boot. I ended up never using it.

 

[biggestmuff]

Are there any mods for the PS3 yet? PSX/PS2 backup play ability?

 

[Shadow Conception]

This is all from a Linux nub: I had YDL 5 installed, hated it. Then I installed Ubuntu 7.10 and loved it. However, the overscan problems annoyed me to no end, and fbset is a hassle to get installed and modify resolution. Then, I realized there was an update available (UBUNTU 8.04: UPGRADE NOW!!1), and clicked the big shiny upgrade button. It went overnight, came back on in the morning. I then booted up the PS3, ready to experience Ubuntu 8.04... and it freezes. Every single time I boot up, it froze. I did a bit of research, and it turns out Ubuntu 8.04 is not compatible with PS3.

Well gee, thanks for offering the god damned upgrade then, only to brick my Linux partition.

I have now formatted my PS3. I may install Ubuntu sometime later down the road, but only when changing resolutions and fixing overscan through software is easily possible.

 

[bearxor]

I never really thought of it more than a novelty. You're not going to sit down at your PS3 to do work on the TV and with no access to the GPU, it makes it worthless for Linux game development.