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.

Now that Jim Ryan is gone just need to remove Herman Hulst from his position! And maybe give Shuhei the position he deserved.

This gen hasn't been the best for games, last gen consoles are still out there and now there's been talk of the PS6 and Xbox Two for a year or so. Many games this gen will be ported to next gen and the cycle will continue. The re-release of the Neo Geo AES+, games on cartridge for £70 ($95), gaming is going back in time. Gaming has gone pricing mad with the high cost of games, consoles and controllers. The men and women at the top are clueless.

It’s always interesting to hear behind-the-scenes stories like this, especially involving veterans like Shuhei Yoshida and leadership figures like Jim Ryan. That said, there are usually multiple sides to decisions at that level. It could be less about not “listening” and more about differences in long-term vision for PlayStation. Yoshida played a huge role in shaping the brand, so whatever the reason, his impact is undeniable.

If true, and I'm inclined to believe it is, it goes to show that Sony lost their way when they became more western/didn't respect the PlayStation origin story. Andrew House and Jack Tretton did great work, but they also didn't try to fundamentally change the PlayStation DNA. Ryan oversaw the death of Japan Studio and a live service direction.

I already figured this, good lord imagine if Shuhei took over instead, would've been a platinum era 😩

I miss the first three generations of PlayStation. The way they turned PS3 around, we knew they meant business. We were all worried for a bit there around launch. Eventually from 2008 they started shifting slowly. But since Yoshida was fired, it's never been the same. Still enjoy my PS5 daily. I got a backlog dating back to PS2 lol So I'm fine but new games aren't as appealing anymore.

It seems like we were thrown on to the worst timeline possible where everything is too expensive and the wrong people were put in positions that makes the world a shitty place. We could have had Shu as the head of PS but we got the shitty alternative. Same goes for everyone in power around the world. Doesn’t matter the company or country the majority of us got the shitty picks and the world is declining like never before. I do think PS can come out of this because of their studios, talent and IP but they need someone more in touch with gamers leading things like Shu was. They’re still the best place for console gaming imo but it could be much better than it is especially without the massive live service failures. The rest of the world I have a lot less hope for right now. Hopefully the pendulum swings back towards the good ole days but I’m preparing for the worst.

There goes illuminati distraction story

So now there's certifiable proof that Ryan was in fact "fired", as opposed to when it was first announced that he "retired", in order to save face.

There's another guy who recently "retired" as CEO of another large gaming company, after doing a dismantling job as lead for well over a decade.

seems legit, the business man, fires the one who has ideas to move the business forward.

Jim Ryan is the reason why we are entering year 6 since the PS5 launch and many of us don't feel like the PS5 has gotten started as yet.

I hope going forward, we will see a return to form.