as long the linux is avialable, that is no big deal.

what will be the catalyst to slam Sony now Microsoft fanboys? that you don't need Linux for gaming, or that it doesn't come pre-installed on the PS3?

I get that you can download it to the system...supposedly easily. BUT...its just one more thing that Sony touted out to the public and then has changed it significantly...one way or another.

I just want the system to launch so we can stop hearing about what Sony "says" it does...and we can all see for ourselves.

can someone who knows please answer these ignorant questions for me
1. What the hell is linux and what does it do?
2. Is it possible to play PC games on PS3?

That's OLD news. They never said it would be shipped with it.

Short answer: if you don't know what Linux is you don't need it.
Long answer:
see http://en.wikipedia.org/wik...

Medium answer:
Briefly, its a computer Operating System patterned after UNIX, very useful in some server and technical workstation applications. It is the preferred OS of people who hate Microsoft or paying for software (it is free).
It will not, as a rule, let you play PC games as the PS3 hardware is too different from mainstream PCs and Linux does not by itself run PC software. At a minimum you would need a software emulator (like VirtualPC for the Mac).
There are a few games for Linux, but they are generally targeted at the x86-flavors of Linux so they would have to be recompiled or rewritten for Cell-Linux.
What Linux would let the PS3 do is not about gaming, but about running business-style applications like Open Office, technical and scientific applications, and (maybe) graphics editing. A likely common use of Linux on PS3 would be to use them as cheap file servers and web servers.
If somebody bothers to port multi-media apps like Myth TV, it might be usable as a Home Theater PC.
Lots of possibilities; none gaming-related, though. At least not soon.

Linux is way above most users on this board anyhow.

Go back to Microsoft... stupid!

I cant wait. The ps3 is going to be playing backups off DVD9's or the HDD within weeks of release. Way too many holes to even begin to plug them all when you allow other OS's and browsers on your system. Pirates > ninjas.

Kenny boy did promise Linux in March. Read the link below. Just another on many lies by Sony. Sony keeps $hitin in your mouths and calls it a sunday and you say YUMMY!

http://www.1up.com/do/newsS...

They're saving money by not having it pre-installed.

they dont want to ship with a program that could cause all kinds of problems with the PS3.

I want to play games on a console not a pc because a console is supposed to be a safe enviroment- linux opens the door to spyware and viruses.

1)
You could install any OS on PS3 that supports CELL processor. As for now "Yellow Dog" is the only now, but in the near future there could be more.
Knowing Linux community and number of open projects(software for free) on sourceforge.net there could be very quickly a high number of application available for Yellow Dog since it comes with GCC compiler. Some of them will require only recompiling.

2)
Month after PS3 release you will be able to download Yellow Dog(free) or order install DVD($10 fee, probably cost of shipping and DVD)

3)
Pre-instaling would not be such great idea
a) some people don't know what Linux is and the would never use it anyway.

b). Linux will take up some space on hard drive and some user may prefer to use that space for other kind of media like movies, mp3 etc...
One has a choice.

3).
Most of the time it is better if someone makes decision to install OS and try it out then ask somebody to uninstall(if it was pre-install).

5).
If you know how to install windows you can install Yellow Dog.

6).
With Linux on PS3 you can browse internet and post to this forum, use OpenOffice to write documents, prepare spreadsheet and other things you do on your Windows based PC but would not count on playing WINDOWS GAMES. At least not any time soon.

The way you have argued how wonderful MS is with its OS and how its so amazing and such I wonder why then did you go with a MAC? Not sure why any of you think that Sony offering people the option to run a version of Linux and use the PS3 as a computer is something bad? Its not like you have to do so. Sony only gives you the option to. Isn't it you Xbox guys who argue the MS is giving you choice with the 360 well Sony is giving people choice with the PS3. The fact your not interested or have a PC does not mean some people will choose not to take advantage of what the PS3 can do as far as being a computer. Also are you guys not saying Sony having such a big lead in the console wars not good? So if that is why your supporting MS and the 360 why not support Sony and Linux so that MS does not have such a monoply when it comes to OS especially the home market.

TheLandofSand - The only one who has to worry about spyware and viruses are MS. Since 80% of all the PC's in the world use Windows if your going to bother to create spyware or a virus guess which OS your going to create it for. I don't think its going to be Yellow Dog Linux.

Can the ps3 run music producing programs such as fl studios and garage band.

Bladestar, you're a complete IDIOT. You have no clue what the definition of a computer is.

Sony/fanboy's should keep their mouths shut and do what MS does(say nothing untill you anouncement/wait intill it's out, that way when or if they deliver it will be a surprize and wont come back to bit them ass.

Security problems aside, it would run my 3D applications a lot faster. Plus having AIM and iTunes would rock. =P

I'll be the first to hack the PS3 with Linux....
Don't worry DJ I'll also hack it to run Windows, link to an Xbox360, and play games created on Microsoft's XNA game studio. I might throw in a free virus or some nice spyware also :)
In their own words........"This is not an application-limited appliance. This is a full-blown computer. There is no issue of 'can it do this or that?' It can do everything."

It's bad news because it makes you to do extra work to install the Linux. But the good side is that only people who can install it will use it. Perhaps that will scare away some potential future hacker victims.