Posted Feb 10, 2008 at 01:49PM by Isaac C. Listed in: PlayStation 3 Tags: Linux, IBM, KDE, SDK, Yellow Dog Linux, Terra Soft
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Yellow Dog Linux to come pre-installed with Sony PlayStation 3 - Image 1 


Linux is pretty infamous for being user-unfriendly, but it's still well-loved for its inherent flexibility. This is why when the operating system made its way into the PlayStation 3 platform with the Fedora Core 5 and then the free Yellow Dog Linux v5, users were ecstatic.

It looks like Linux will be making more headway into the platform: Yellow Dog Linux v6.0 was released a few days ago. But there's more: according to the Terra Soft website, version 6 will come pre-installed with the PlayStation 3.

A question comes up as tipster R7i1c3K also speculates: maybe this might also have something to do with the new PS3 SKU in the works? At any rate, here are the key features of the latest version of Yellow Dog for those who are interested:
  • E17 & Gnome installed by default, KDE included.
  • Gnash, the Flash work-alike.
  • Ekiga VoIP, Pidgin IM/IRC, and Fluendo codec installer.
  • kernel v2.6.23, gcc v4.1.1, gblic v2.5, and Eclipse v3.2.2
  • The only Linux distribution to include by default Cell SDK v3.0.
  • IBM iRT (interactive raytrace) demo available via YDL.net Enhanced.
Thanks to R7i1c3K for the tip!


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20 Comments


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   by Eclipze_ - 2008-02-10
 » I really want Linux

but I cant burn the DVD (No dvd burner in my house --_--). Oh well, hope they'll have an easy download instead of all the work you have to do now for it.


   Re: Lifeline - 2008-02-10
 » You will..

Need to burn it to a DVD I'm afraid, as you can download it via;

http://www.terrasoftsolutions.com/support/downloads/

You can also buy it from terrasoft pre burned with 6 month support, up to you.
   by MisterAV - 2008-02-10
 » wrong

it say you can buy a PS3 with linux preinstalled at them.


   Re: JS0724 - 2008-02-10
 » Read next time

Actually it says "version 6 WILL come pre-installed with the PlayStation 3", meaning in the future.

   Re: MisterAV - 2008-02-10
 » i remember

i remember at the launch they do the the same with linux 5.0, they sell PS3 with linux preinstalled

   Re: Eclipze_ - 2008-02-11
 » MisterAV

What launch were you at?..
   by ~~ - 2008-02-10
 » ~~

The hell is this ?

Sony taking a stab at Windows now ?


   Re: hush404 - 2008-02-10
 » lol

I doubt it. Linux has always been an installing option on the PS3, Sony even gives you instructions on how to do it. Now with YD leading the pack for PS3 support, they're including it right out of the box so any "non tech-savy" gamers can give it a try without having to worry about which distro to get, how to install it etc etc.

Really, with the flexibility of Linux.... Sony is really just gaining more ground in becoming the King of the living room.

   Re: Advertising -


   Re: Mr Toasty - 2008-02-10
 » srsly?

I like to think I'm a somewhat knowledgeable about computers. But I mean Linux is just something else. Any non-tech savvy PS3 owner will probably do what I did. Turn it off after 20 minutes of being frustrated by their inability to perform simple tasks like installing programs or changing screen resolution.

I suppose it's nice for the super Linux guys. But 95% of PS3 owners probably don't know or care about the feature.

What would be nice is some sort of stripped down Linux version with the same type of functionality as LaunchELF. That is, a simple file browser and program launcher. Sure we're locked out of the GPU but with a lightweight launcher, programs could be written specifically for PS3 and homebrew could thrive.
   by pphheerroonn1 - 2008-02-10
 » old news

You can already buy a PS3 with pre-installed Linux Yellow Dog on the Terra Soft website. What they mean is that the new updated version will be available pre-installed on PS3:
http://www.terrasoftsolutions.com/products/sony/

It isn't really news that you can get a PS3 with linux pre-installed!

   by ackeejag - 2008-02-10
 » ehh.

i tried linux once. worst experience EVAH!!!!
every month i feel glad that i got the 60GB ps3. perfect backwards and wifi.


   Re: Eclipze_ - 2008-02-11
 » I have the 60gb too

but whats that have to do with linux lol?
   by Sony boj - 2008-02-11
 » Linux isnt complicated

You just need to read up a bit on how it works, I am running xubuntu and its great you lazy bums.


   Re: ackeejag - 2008-02-11
 » well

im sure it works if you know how to use it but that doesnt necessarily make it as compatible with games as windows is. why do with 10 lines of code what you can do with a few simple double clicks?
   by Kazuki - 2008-02-11
 » Simple Answer

Because it gets the nerds HARD doing that .....


   Re: exionzero - 2008-02-11
 » ...

what can I say? penguins do it for me.
   by jhrhee - 2008-02-12
 » can see Blue-ray on YDL 6.0?

Is it possible to see Blue-ray title on YDL 6.0?

   by Advertising -
   by javig84 - 2008-02-12
 » DVD regions

i´ve installed Yellow dog on the ps3 i found it surprisingly easy. As someone said above, i did have trouble performing basic functions but look forward to becoming familiar with it,, cant be that hard!!

Anyway i installed linux for many reasons but one was playing dvd´s with out region restrictions, is this possible? unfurtunatetly it did not detect the CD drive so i didnt get very far... does anyone know why?

i also have trouble launching linux,, it says something like " clean up, close event mask" how did this happen it was working before,, i did switch tv, but is that relevant,, maybe if i was using a high definition cable,,, doubt that too.

thank you guys really helping out here!

   by Fred_West78 - 8 days ago
 » GTA:SA

Would i be able to install and play GTA:San Andreas(pc) & SA:MP client on this linux thingy cos if i can the hooray, if not then someone needs to figure out how to install windows on here, :)
Crazybobs, FTW!!!

   by Hawkins2k4 - 8 days ago
 » Don't be fooled... a reply to most of these ?'s

Linux is not user friendly, most of all Yellow dog. Besides it's Vista wannabe look, lol... previous releases have been plagued with issues caused for various reasons, not the least of which is the fact that the linux kernel is running on top of the PS3's kernel.
in 5.0 there was no wireless support or flash card support as well as some major kernel issues. In 5.1 they fixed these problems, but then the Blu ray drive wasn't recognized, again some kernel issues, not the least of which was a minor variation in the system clock, which caused many drivers to fail on boot. I didn't even bother with 5.2, I forget why now, but I heard it was another trade off.
Terra soft has been pretty straight up about the fact that many of these issues are Sony side, and has patched as much as they can, they are operating under a license from Sony and therefore have to abide by Sony's rules, which also include forbidding the linux kernel to access the RSX.
Somebody asked if you can watch a bluray on linux, the answer is yes, in theory you could watch a bluray on a ps3 with linux... Assuming you have access to the BD drive and the RSX, you would also need to download the correct codec pack, which I think is available somewhere, try source forge. My question is why bother, the PS3's XMB has better support for the ever evolving capabilities of the BD format, without the hassles. hell, you can't even play a basic flight simulator on ps3 linux because of the RSX problem.
No, you can't play GTA: san andreas, no RSX... unless thats what is coming with 6.0 and preinstallation, then you could get an xbox 3SHI**Y, ps2, and any other emulator you have the desire for, and laugh at your friend as their piece of micro$hit junk RROD's, that would be the only thing that would make it worth the trouble.
Remember that most of the reason sony was even interested in putting linux on the ps3 was to open it up to bedroom devs, except for the whole piracy thing, yes all you jobless nitwits who download everything you "own", it would have happened by now. Having a linux installed ps3 with the proper tools, essentially turns every PS3 into a dev machine, and except for the ability to debug code through the XMB, it becomes a very valuable tool for legitimate homebrew.
Yes... and "the hell is this? Sony taking a stab at Windows now?" you're an idiot, unplug your keyboard, its of no value to you. Sony is interested in opening up the ps3 to devs, as I said before... now if people would stop discussing their endless supply of PSP iso's and use that part of their brains to say, hold a job, it would happen a lot sooner. Also, Sony has no intention of having the piracy isuues that plague the xbox finding their way onto their console, and who can blame them.
Also I have heard past args that homebrew has nothing to offer, and I can tell you that is not true, I know of at least 5 private, open source dev teams that have developed interesting games for both windows and linux, and are interested in a ps3 port. I was working on a PSP game, until it became clear that the PSP is very difficult to [program for due to its lack of resources, a problem which I could easily overcome given the power of a certain little black box.
There are many bedroom devs who have access to a lot of top of the line game engines, like Torque and UTE 2.5, among others.

And finally, Penguins do it for me too, just not on the ps3, not yet anyways.



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