Other OS on the PS3

[Terzo]

Yes, this again. Also, I realize some may disagree with the use of the term "jailbreak" but that seems to be the accepted term so I'm going with it.

As far as I understand the reasoning for the removal was due to security concerns. As much as I disagree with it, they wanted to protect their platform in the interests of developers. Fine, whatever.

But now there's the ps3 jailbreak. Sure, they've released updates to kill it, but the jailbreak community has found ways to downgrade firmware and to enable PSN access without the most recent firmware. Now we're starting to see games released which require the most recent firmware. That may prevent those with the jailbreak from playing these games temporarily, but Sony is fighting an entire community. Sure, GT5 might be unplayable upon release without 3.50, but given some time I expect there will be workarounds. Not a big deterrent considering it's been in development so long.

Never mind that. Other OS was removed to help keep the ps3 as a secure platform. It has been jailbroken, and is no longer secure. Sony no longer has any valid reasons (as shitty as they were) to disable Other OS. I think it would be a good publicity move on their part to return Other OS support with the next firmware upgrade.

Is my reasoning ridiculous? Or do I make a valid point? Opinions in general?

 

[Tristicus]

I bet less than 5% of PS3 owners used it. It was pointless for the average, and didn't even work well.

 

[RavenSEAL]

Have fun getting banned!


By the way, if i may ask, wtf do you need an OS on your PS3 when you probably already have a PC or 2 along with maybe a smart phone? Unless you posted this from the public library because you don't have a computer at home, i see no reason.

 

[Terzo]

I bet less than 5% of PS3 owners used it. It was pointless for the average, and didn't even work well.

Usage aside, I don't see any reason not to bring it back.

Have fun getting banned!


By the way, if i may ask, wtf do you need an OS on your PS3 when you probably already have a PC or 2 along with maybe a smart phone? Unless you posted this from the public library because you don't have a computer at home, i see no reason.

Banned for what? And I own a slim, no Other OS for me.

 

[HeXen]

Sure, GT5 might be unplayable upon release without 3.50, but given some time I expect there will be workarounds. Not a big deterrent considering it's been in development so long.

Never mind that. Other OS was removed to help keep the ps3 as a secure platform. It has been jailbroken, and is no longer secure. Sony no longer has any valid reasons (as shitty as they were) to disable Other OS. I think it would be a good publicity move on their part to return Other OS support with the next firmware upgrade.

Is my reasoning ridiculous? Or do I make a valid point? Opinions in general?

IF they bring back "other OS", they increase the risk of 3.50 jailbreak as well as others, perhaps to a point where it becomes like the PSP and you just install modded firmwares of each update Sony releases. I dunno but either way installing LInux on a ps3 and no access to gpu was kinda stupid anyway imo, I'd rather have it on a netbook or something, could at least use compiz fusion for some eye candy.

 

[DaveSimmons]

Sony won't bring it back because:
- actual usage of Linux was probably under 1%
- it would make jailbreaking easier. Sony can't stop piracy completely but making it harder will get more people to buy games, many more people than will boycott them for removing Linux use.

 

[mmntech]

Have fun getting banned!

Why? Jailbreaking is legal now.

Anyway, the Other OS function did have lots of legit uses. GPGPU computing is still in its infancy. Cell (PowerPC) is a proven architecture with a lot of power. Networking multiple PS3s together created powerful yet cheap mainframes. The US military was using them. With Other OS support gone, it means broken systems in a cluster can't ever be replaced with off-the-shelf components.there was also the issue of removing an advertised feature without owners' consent.

The issue of jail breaking via Linux became a moot point anyway. When the PS3 was ultimately cracked, it was through a developer debug code, not through Other OS. Geohot's crack via Other OS couldn't even access the RSX. Therefore pirated games could never be played through that route.

 

[HeXen]

Why? Jailbreaking is legal now.

Anyway, the Other OS function did have lots of legit uses. GPGPU computing is still in its infancy. Cell (PowerPC) is a proven architecture with a lot of power. Networking multiple PS3s together created powerful yet cheap mainframes. The US military was using them. With Other OS support gone, it means broken systems in a cluster can't ever be replaced with off-the-shelf components.there was also the issue of removing an advertised feature without owners' consent.

The issue of jail breaking via Linux became a moot point anyway. When the PS3 was ultimately cracked, it was through a developer debug code, not through Other OS. Geohot's crack via Other OS couldn't even access the RSX. Therefore pirated games could never be played through that route.

the AsbestOS PS3 Jailbreak project supposedly got the RSX working. Either way, it would only be a matter of time, keeping other OS out just makes things easier for Sony. I could care less if the US military uses them, they might as well buy expensive mainframes considering how much money gets wasted anyhow.
but after reading hacking forums discussing diligently about hacking the PS3, it really is amazing what some people will do just to save $60.

 

[RavenSEAL]

Why? Jailbreaking is legal now.

Anyway, the Other OS function did have lots of legit uses. GPGPU computing is still in its infancy. Cell (PowerPC) is a proven architecture with a lot of power. Networking multiple PS3s together created powerful yet cheap mainframes. The US military was using them. With Other OS support gone, it means broken systems in a cluster can't ever be replaced with off-the-shelf components.there was also the issue of removing an advertised feature without owners' consent.

The issue of jail breaking via Linux became a moot point anyway. When the PS3 was ultimately cracked, it was through a developer debug code, not through Other OS. Geohot's crack via Other OS couldn't even access the RSX. Therefore pirated games could never be played through that route.

http://arstechnica.com/gaming/news/...eak-sales-gives-sony-control-of-inventory.ars

 

[destrekor]

Well for those firms that use the PS3 for linux, they don't need the latest firmware. They probably haven't even upgraded the firmware all that much, if at all - they don't need PSN access in the super-computer farms that use the PS3.
😉

As for jailbreaking being Legal - well yes, it is.
But that doesn't mean the companies selling the product have to support a jailbroken device - installing non-supported code is often a means of voiding the EULA and voids the warranty. It's not illegal, but that doesn't mean Sony has to provide you the same level of support (if any), nor provide you all the same features (banned from PSN). If they can detect the changes, they are legally permitted to remove access to services they provide that aren't already 100% on the device. All of that is per their EULA, which you agree to when you use online features.

Personally, if you have more than one PS3, or don't care about getting banned from online services, modding (hardware or software) can provide you an even better piece of hardware. I've thought about it, and if the PS3 ever approaches the cheap prices of the PS2 toward the end of it's lifespan, I might go about doing that with my launch PS3 - the extra features you can get once you mod a console can be pretty awesome (and if the RSX is indeed accessible under Linus if you jailbreak the system, that's awesome enough to warrant the mod).

 

[Terzo]

http://arstechnica.com/gaming/news/...eak-sales-gives-sony-control-of-inventory.ars

That only applies to Australia. I think it's fair to assume most of us are posting from the US...I know you are. I think mmntech is in Canada, but seeing as that's not Australia I'm pretty sure jailbreak is legal there too.

Well for those firms that use the PS3 for linux, they don't need the latest firmware. They probably haven't even upgraded the firmware all that much, if at all - they don't need PSN access in the super-computer farms that use the PS3.
😉

As for jailbreaking being Legal - well yes, it is.
But that doesn't mean the companies selling the product have to support a jailbroken device - installing non-supported code is often a means of voiding the EULA and voids the warranty. It's not illegal, but that doesn't mean Sony has to provide you the same level of support (if any), nor provide you all the same features (banned from PSN). If they can detect the changes, they are legally permitted to remove access to services they provide that aren't already 100% on the device. All of that is per their EULA, which you agree to when you use online features.

Personally, if you have more than one PS3, or don't care about getting banned from online services, modding (hardware or software) can provide you an even better piece of hardware. I've thought about it, and if the PS3 ever approaches the cheap prices of the PS2 toward the end of it's lifespan, I might go about doing that with my launch PS3 - the extra features you can get once you mod a console can be pretty awesome (and if the RSX is indeed accessible under Linus if you jailbreak the system, that's awesome enough to warrant the mod).

I'd like to jailbreak the ps3 just for fun, but I don't know how much use I'd actually get out of it. I wouldn't be too concerned about PSN access either. It seems like you can still connect to PSN if you're running the right jailbreak, or something like that. Even then, I don't really play on PSN. I only use it for demos and to download PSN games. If I were banned it would cost Sony sales. Then again, I'm probably not the average ps3 user.