We might be able to crack on PS2's after all, check out this article......

[Train]

http://195.92.178.248/cfdocs/site/news/cvgnewstemp.cfm?sid=812

well its a short article, so im just gonna paste the whole thing here:


<< Sony Computer Entertainment Europe revealed that a version of the YABASIC programming language will ship with PS2 in Europe. Check this out?

The demo disc included with PS2 in Europe will include a fun, simple utility that will allow you to program in YABASIC (Yet Another BASIC). YABASIC is an open source language that allows for the creation of simple routines, including rudimentary 3D. You will be able to make simple programs in YABASIC and save them onto memory card.
This whole programming thing may have something to do with the fact that Sony is trying to import PS2 as a computer rather than a videogame console to avoid taxation costs. However it could also be that Sony is keen to instil the notion that PS2 is an interactive digital ?Play Station? as opposed to just a games machine or a boring PC-style ?Work Station?.

We questioned Sony Europe about the YABASIC utility, wouldn?t this require a keyboard for example? We were told that the interface would most likely be a virtual keyboard shown on screen. However you will certainly be able to plug in a USB keyboard.

Whatever, this seems like a fun little idea, and it's exclusive to Europe.

Paul Davies
Monday, 6 November 2000 >>



any UK guys wanna give this a shot? Ill help anyway i can , even though im over here in the US

 

[Adul]

Maybe someone will sell those mempry cards with Seti,rc5,ogr and other distributed clients allready installed

 

[Train]

thats what i was thinking, we could ship those mem cards to all the TA members who have PS2's

hmm, dont PS2's have a modem? or at least the upgradability to add a modem?

 

[sciencewhiz]

Assuming that it is like BASIC, it definetly wouldn't be worth it. BASIC is interpreted and runs slow as heck. Like I've said before, it would more that likely possible to create a client for the PS2 but the time spent creating the client would not be worth the blocks cracked IMHO.

You could submit a porting request to dnet, and they would at least take a look at the feasability of porting the client to the PS2.

Edit: I forgot, one of dnets requirements to port a client is to have a C compiler availible for that platform. I don't know if there is a C compiler for the PS2.

 

[Train]

it depends how it is run, if the basic is compiled, then speed wont be a problem, if its interpreted at run time, ouch, very slow.

if all we have to do is translate a C routine into Basic, not much time gone, the code is already writte, we just need to translate it.

If possible, we could even use the Basic to input assembly language, just lke i used to do back in the Commodore 64 days

 

[sciencewhiz]

The core wouldn't be the hard part to write. The chip should be well documented. The hard part would be re-writing the code to make sure that client runs at the lowest priority (I'm sure the PS2 has a totally different multi-tasking structure than a PC, assuming it can multi-task.) The networking code would also have to be re-written.

 

[Train]

i dont think we should even worry about multi tasking, i doubt it would even allow it to run while a game is running, because the games themselves are really thier own Operating Sytems, what we are going for here is the hours and hours the PS2 is sitting there unused.

 

[Adul]

Exactly train. think of all those million of consols out there (will be) sitting idle doing nothing! We can't let this be, it must crack something!

 

[ElFenix]

they'd have to put the ps2's os on a cd or memory card with the client. and as of right now networking on the ps2 is non-existent. i'll bet most of the games are developed in c, though, so there should be a compiler. an xbox client is much more likely.

 

[Train]

hello



<< However you will certainly be able to plug in a USB keyboard. >>



it has a USB port!!! with a USB port we can do anything folks! USB modems, USB hubs to plug into your home network...... whatever!

 

[IsOs]

Provided the USB device has a driver for Playstation