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Games Entertainment

PS2 Linux Kit Shipping in May 280

Posted by michael from the dmesg-now-more-exciting-than-ever dept.
subharmonic writes: "Sony announced through an e-mail that the Linux PS2 kits were available for pre-order. The kits should be shipped May 22nd. There's a FAQ and a order site."
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PS2 Linux Kit Shipping in May More

PS2 Linux Kit Shipping in May

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  • Could I write this off on my taxes for my home office ;)

    • Re:I wonder... (Score:3, Informative)

      by mccalli ( 323026 )
      Could I write this off on my taxes for my home office

      Then wonder no more, because that's exactly what I'm going to do when buying the kit.

      I run a one-man contracting business in the UK, and anything computerish that isn't a game is quite definitely treated as investment cash. Having Linux available on another machine fits into that.

      Now...anyone know of a way to use 802.11b with it?

      Cheers, Ian

  • Linux on PS2?? (Score:2, Insightful)

    by KanSer ( 558891 )
    What's the point? Would you use it to do stuff other then games? Or is it strictly a BOO microsoft kinda thing.

    • why (Score:1)

      by kriebz ( 258828 )
      This really fits the Japanese model of the home computer (the console, versus our IBM decendents). Linux is ideal for its power and versitility, easily modified by sony and free to distrubute. And the PS/2 is a sweet machine. I wonder if there is a license requirement from Sony to distribute Linux user app binaries?
      I would cry that the price of the kit is prohibitive, but for me the price of teh unit is prohibitive.
    • I see a point...it has gcc, which means someone who wants to do something on a PS2 (w/o having to shell out 20,000 USD for a dev console) actually CAN!

      Non-game applications: firewall, router. But if you're not into programming of that nature, then don't buy it...and it's not a BOO M$ kinda thing either.

    • Re:Linux on PS2?? (Score:2, Funny)

      by Anonymous Coward
      It's kind of a Zen thing: If you have to ask, you'll never understand the answer.
    • I would think the main use would be to learn how to program parts of the PS2, without spending $18K for a full-on dev kit. The tricky part about PS2 programming is learning the microcode for the vector units, graphics synthesiszer, etc. If you are a game developer, it is worth spending $199 just for the PDFs of the manuals for the EE, VU0, VU1, and the GS.
      • Actually, that's a good idea -- they may have recogonized that the manuals alone may be a primary selling point:

        From the FAQ:
        Where can I get hold of the hardware system manuals ?
        There are 6 system manuals describing the Emotion Engine, Vector Units and Graphics Synthesizer which are provided with the Linux kit on the "DISC 1" DVD ROM in PDF format (both English and Japanese language). These manuals are Copyright of Sony Computer Entertainment. Once you have bought the kit, you can use the manuals and the information contained in them for your own development of software. However, you may not re-produce or copy the manuals or re-distribute them without prior permission from Sony Computer Entertainment. For the avoidance of doubt, that means that the PDFs may not be posted on public web sites and may not be copied for friends.

        We recognize that many people visiting this site would like to read these PDFs right now - even before they get the kit. We're investigating some possible solutions to this, but for the time being, please be patient and we'll get the kits out as soon as we can.

    • Re:Linux on PS2?? (Score:2, Interesting)

      by owlicks58 ( 560207 )
      I'm buying the kit because it will turn my PS2 into the ULTIMATE media device. I plan on using it to run MAME, SNES, and Atari emulators on my TV and being able to use my PS2 controllers. Also I will be playing my music videos (350+ of em) I have collected on my comp, on my TV. The emulation and videos alone are worth it for me. Yes I know I can get a USB video output to my TV thing, but then again, that just wouldn't be as cool as having my PS2 on my LAN, now would it? :)
  • It's good to finally hear that a big mega-company like Sony is embracing an open-source OS like Linux.

    • Re:Good good (Score:2, Interesting)

      by ehiris ( 214677 )
      IBM is been embracing Linux for a while now.

      It's good to hear that linux is being embraced by a more consumer level oriented company.

  • copy of email (Score:3, Informative)

    by hajmola ( 82709 ) on Thursday March 07, 2002 @01:12AM (#3123217)
    for anyone who cares...

    Many thanks for expressing your interest in Linux(for PlayStation 2) on
    our website (http://www.technology.scee.net/).

    We're happy to announce that Linux will be released in May in both the
    USA (SCEA) and PAL territories (including Europe and Australia), with
    full information and screenshots now to be found on our site.

    In addition, a joint website for interested users has been set up at
    http://playstation2-linux.com, which includes discussion and bulletin
    boards.

    Finally, although sales haven't yet started, if you send an e-mail with
    the message "subscribe" to ps2linux-request@technology.scee.net we'll
    let you know when pre-ordering starts.

    Many thanks again,

    Sony Computer Entertainment Europe

    • Sony makes it sound like Linux for PlayStation 2 is Linux (full stop). I can imagine a press conference where they announce "Linux" and then quickly, and quitely, whisper "for PlayStation 2" off to the side.

  • yes, so.. (Score:4, Insightful)

    by prizzznecious ( 551920 ) <hwky @ f r eeshell.org> on Thursday March 07, 2002 @01:12AM (#3123219) Homepage
    What exactly is the point of this? I know we've gone over this before in previous Linux PS2 articles, but it never really seems to add up. If you want to play games, you buy a console. If you are the type of person who wants to run Linux (and has a broadband connection to use the PS2's ethernet adapter), then you already have a computer (and you probably consider it and its brothers/sisters members of your family). If you don't, then you're probably experiencing phantom pains.

    The problem I see is that the PS2 + Linux kit isn't really cheap enough to justify itself, except for the nerd-factor. It's a lot of money, and for what? So your lazy ass doesn't have to walk to the other room to check Slashdot during a break in your gaming?

    It certainly isn't for the wealth of Linux gaming software. So what gives? Is this another "just because I can" deal? Doesn't building your own box appeal more to people who think that way?
    • What other console dev kits can you get for $500? Sure, you can't really distribute what you make (other than to other geeks who have bought the kit), but it's still gotta be a good way to get some hands on experience with game programming for a console.

    • What exactly is the point of this? I know we've gone over this before in previous Linux PS2 articles, but it never really seems to add up. If you want to play games, you buy a console. If you are the type of person who wants to run Linux (and has a broadband connection to use the PS2's ethernet adapter), then you already have a computer (and you probably consider it and its brothers/sisters members of your family). If you don't, then you're probably experiencing phantom pains

      Consoles are computers as well..they just don't allow the user to write programs, or use the platform beyond what it was designed to: to play games. Which is a bit of a waste in terms of potential computing possibilities, IMO.

      Now, the PS2 Kit essentially creates another type of VAIO computer.

      The problem I see is that the PS2 + Linux kit isn't really cheap enough to justify itself, except for the nerd-factor. It's a lot of money, and for what? So your lazy ass doesn't have to walk to the other room to check Slashdot during a break in your gaming?

      Not cheap?? Considering an actual PS2 game development station costs 400x MORE, that's a bargain! Oh, and you'd have to reboot the machine to switch between reading /. and playing GTA3

      And yes, I'd want it because "I can!". Whether u want it, is another matter.

      Peace, Ice.
      • Yes, I know you'd have to reboot the machine. That's part of why I think this is stupid. Another part is that it's not cheap. It is about $600. And I would like it if someone could explain to me what this has to do with developing PS2 console games; I don't see what good this would be without the PS2 APIs.

        Anyway, I'm glad you have money to burn, but I'd rather buy something that is useful and not redundant.
        • You can create PS2 games WITHOUT using those magical PS2 api's...u use a different set of api's...OpenGL for example.

          As for the booting part, it's the same problem with Win/Linux multi-boot systems...I'd like to see the ability to switch from Linux/Windows in a keypress, a massive context-switch, but I haven't seen that so far. Hence, that's why I hate multi-boot systems. More often that not, if I want to work in Linux, I have some other tasks that make me want to switch to Windows...

          I seriously doubt it costs 600 bucks, too...that's not what was said in the original press releases...but you're w/in your rights to not buy it if you find you won't make good use of it...your choice.
          • I'd like to see the ability to switch from Linux/Windows in a keypress, a massive context-switch, but I haven't seen that so far

            Well, I've seen that for the past two years, and it's called vmware [vmware.com]. You would be doing yourself a big favor to go download it and get emailed a serial for the 30 day trial. If your computer has the strength, you can run windows under linux or vice-versa, or beos, or freebsd, or whatever toots your whistle.

            Believe it or not, I have an HP usb scanner that uses some crazy scsi over usb protocol. It doesn't work in linux. BUT if I run win98 on vmware in linux, it's detected, bridged, and available without complaint. Simply incredible.

      • RTFA, it says "Linux (for PlayStation 2) is aimed mainly at the hobbyist home computer enthusiast."
    • I bought a Japanese PS/2 the moment they started selling -- and realized, I do not have the time or really the inclination to play games. So my PS/2 hasn't been turned on in almost a year. Rather than sell it 2nd hand or toss it away, I am getting the kit primarily so I can:

      - enjoy 40 Gb of networked secondary storage
      - have "yet another box" working on SETI (hey, I'm a stats whore)
      - watch downloaded "Enterprise" eps on my TV (won't start playing that series in Japan for another year or two, if ever)
      - maybe see if MAME runs, or play the occasional FlightGear game, if/when I feel I have time for it

      The extra networked storage is the big factor for me -- I already have 4 drives in my PC so it's not like I can cram in another one. :-D
  • SWEET!!!

    Sony's NOW supporting PS/2 for Linux!! YES, now I can use all those mice and keyboard's that didn't work in Linux!!!!

    What? It's the Console Playstation 2? Shit! What have I been saving all these fscking keyboards and mice? NOW YOU TELL ME.
    • Sony's NOW supporting PS/2 for Linux!! YES, now I can use all those mice and keyboard's that didn't work in Linux!!!!


      What? It's the Console Playstation 2? Shit! What have I been saving all these fscking keyboards and mice? NOW YOU TELL ME.

      I don't know about you, but I only need one mouse and keyboard for a playstation. You tell ME why you need so many.

      -David

    • Re:Woah DUDE!!! (Score:3, Informative)

      by BlowCat ( 216402 )
      From the order page [playstation.com]:

      USB Keyboard & USB Mouse (for PlayStation 2)

      Your are making fun of those who post here without having read the story. Too bad you sound just like one of them.

  • Cost of the system (Score:5, Informative)

    by rufusdufus ( 450462 ) on Thursday March 07, 2002 @01:18AM (#3123241)
    Total retail cost of a minimal system is:
    PS/2 -- $299.99
    8MB card -- $29.99
    Linux Kit-- $199.99
    == $529.97

    Monitor not included, however you must have a monitor on hand to install, after install you can use TV.

    Not so cheap, but cool as an *upgrade* to an existing system.
    • A new 1.2Ghz PC from Gateway is only $489 without monitor.

    • Re:Cost of the system (Score:1, Insightful)

      by MikeyNg ( 88437 )

      Also, once the HD is formatted for Linux, you won't be able to use it for your PS2 games that use the HD. Oh, and there's STILL no network connectivity with that guy. Linux w/out a network connection is like ummmm.... yeah


      • It should be possible to use a USB Ethernet adaptor. They are supported by Linux, although some platform-specific fixes may be needed.
        • That's assuming that USB on the PS2/Linux is supported through a standard linux USB interface, and not through a weird Sony proprietary closed-source module that only works with the mouse and keyboard.

          Cryptnotic
          • Any reasons to think that's the case? Companies making Linux drivers usually only protect the code that would reveal some trade secrets. I cannot think of anything secret in USB support.

            Besides, they would have to merge the contoller module (UHCI or OHCI or whatever they are using) and the modules for the supported devices. Otherwise it would be easy to replace to high-level parts with the open-source drivers while preserving the closed-source low-level part.

            By the way, the order page does mention an Ethernet adaptor. I cannot see on the picture whether it's USB to Ethernet or something else. But I think, however, that the adaptor can be used for Linux networking. They would not ship useless hardware with Linux.

            • Look at pics of the kit. The ethernet adaptor is the little black box with the ethernet jack on it. It plugs into the expansion slot in the back of the PS2,; the HDD plugs into the ehternet unit (i.e., you can't use the HDD w/o the BBA unit, you CAN use the BBA w/o the HDD).
    • Linux Gaming on a super cool, super fast, very specialized system==priceless.

    • Re:Cost of the system (Score:2, Insightful)

      by Sodakar ( 205398 )
      I... initially thought about the cost, but then realized...
      40GB IDE drive = $80-$120
      proprietary NIC >= generic $20 NIC
      proprietary cable >= generic $15 VGA cable
      USB kb/mouse >= generic $30 USB kb/mouse

      You're looking at $150-$200+ of stuff, but not counting the extra cost that comes with proprietary work and smaller production cycles. For how much? $199? And... that's without consideration to the effort which was required to get Linux to work on the PS2.

      So in that light, $199 is *very* reasonable, IMHO...
  • Kill proccesses with the X button on the PS2 controller.

    Combine X with L2 and you will have a kill -9
  • I'll admit Linux on my PS2 sounded cool, but I'm definately not paying $200 bucks US (or $1million canadian... stupid economy) for a Linux OS that Sony won't allow to do anything but surf the net and compile a few programs. I'll do that on my desktop. Sony won't even allow you to rip music from a CDROM since they won't be recognized. Perhaps this would be a good deal if the harddrive could be used for future PS2 games (FFXI anyone?) but the webpage explicitly says it cannot be used for PS2 games. And I have to buy another $30 memory card? Sony's just trying to sucker in Linux enthusiasts to hand over some cash. Bad deal!
    • No it's not a rip off!

      200 bucks for a 40 Gig HD, keyboard + mouse + network card isn't all that high. Their cost is most likely not much less, considering that the hardware is somewhat custom and low volume.

      Now, the real value is not the hardware, but being able to run linux + develop against fully supported harware accel ps2 graphics on a PS2. This is fantastic!

      • As far as I know, you don't get to develop against hardware accelerated PS2 graphics. The hardware abstraction layer that is on the boot DVD-ROM works like a BIOS and abstracts all the calls to the hardware. A Linux driver provides an unaccelerated frame buffer, and that's all you get.

        I have a feeling that any low-level stuff is sufficiently prohibited.

        Also, I doubt you'll be able to recompile a new kernel and load it. There is probably some binary signature thing that the boot disc checks.

        There's no reason to get all excited. Sony isn't opening up their system. Some people just think that's what's happening.

        Cryptnotic
        • Actually, if you read the FAQ, there are detailed manuals included for the Graphics Synthesizer, the Emotion Engine, VU0 and VU1, the DMA controller, and the mpeg2 decoder. Which is pretty damn low-level.

          They say you can compile a new kernel and put it in if you want to port it. The only thing the hardware abstraction layer keeps you from doing is reading anything other than a genuine PSX or PS2 CD or DVD. Which shouldn't be a big problem for anyone other than pirates, given that there's a 10/100 ethernet adaptor and a 40gb hard drive included. You can rip your own music and such on your pc, then transfer it over to the ps2.

          While it's not completely open, I understand Sony's reasons for disabling access to the dvd drive if there's anything other than an official disc in there. It'd be very easy to program a linux software mod otherwise.

      • If only there was a way to get fully supported hardware acceleration for graphics outside of a $200 proprietary hardware kit.. Wait a second, my GeForce2 can run circles around the ancient PS2 jaggies and has a set of open libraries I can code against for game development.

        I really don't understand why anyone would get so excited about this outside of the "geek factor." To me, it is a clear ploy by Sony to increase their hipness status in the tech community and to potentially even increase sales. They're not doing this for the public good, and I don't see useful applications for having a proprietary old console with 32MB RAM running Linux for an extra fee. Perhaps other people on here have higher disposable incomes than I do, I guess, and wish to turn as much of it as possible over to Sony.
  • Download the DivX codec and compile and install it for PS2 LInux...hmmm...would be cool to play my DivX files on the TV...that'd be phat :-)

  • "Can I read my own CD-R discs using Linux (for PlayStation 2) ?
    No. The PlayStation 2 is designed not to read CD-R "gold" discs. Only PlayStation CD-ROM and PlayStation 2 CD-ROM and DVD-ROM discs are compatible."

    Does anyone else see this as a MAJOR setback?
    For people who might not have a home network, adding software to this system will be a major pain! There is the option of broadband or something...but still... not everyone has that.
    Why on earth would they make it not read cd-r's?
    I can understand that they don't want people to pirate games, but if they're going to release a "full-featured" system, crippling it like that is not a wise thing to do!

    -kwishot
    • If you think it will take more than a week to have the hardware hacked to read ripped CDs and CD/Rs you're crazy.

      Linux is under the GPL, and we, the consumer, are free to extend it under the same GPL. Once this is out, the 2.4 series of kernels should be on this architecture in a month and other drivers not too long after that, including CD/R capability.

      This thing is going to get hacked like no tomorrow.

      Wonder how a PS/2 emulator would run in linux on a PS/2...

      • Re:Can't read cd-r's! (Score:5, Informative)

        by Dimensio ( 311070 ) <darkstarNO@SPAMiglou.com> on Thursday March 07, 2002 @01:56AM (#3123361)
        Somehow I doubt that you could use the Linux dev kit to make the PS2 play copied PS2 games. A PSX emulator, maybe but I don't think that you'll get it to "boot" to play the game natively.

        I think that the warning given is a little misleading. Someone might misread it to think that the PS2 cannot read CD-R media at all to the point where you couldn't mount CD-R discs under Linux -- that's not the case, the system can actually read the media, it just won't boot games from them (without physical modificaiton).

      • Re:Can't read cd-r's! (Score:2, Informative)

        by ttyRazor ( 20815 )
        This may be harder than it sounds since the kernel's not directly accessing the hardware, but a "runtime environment" that's designed explicitly to hide the hardware and do only what they'll allow it to. The drive is probably one of those dvd readers that couldn't read cdrs if it tried, and no ammount of tweaking will fix.
      • ack..
        think of it
        a ps2 emulator
        running a ps2 emulator
        running a ps2 emulator
        running..
        ..
        ..
        running mplayer with a NFS porn mount.
        /erotic/lesbians
    • They probably crippled it long before they decided to release this linux kit. Also, dvd players have a history of not reading cd-rs without some effort to ensure compatibility, and sony has a history of not going out of its way to fix this, even in their high end dvd players (which sucks for vcd playback). Normally I'd say "that's what remote file systems are for" and use nfs or smb to mount the drive in my desktop (my ultrathin laptop doesn't have an internal cd drive), but in this case its not worth the trouble, with all the other limitations.
  • I'm not a big gamer (~2hrs/week) outside of keeping up with breakthroughs, but as an animation student and big Maya user, the opportunity to run Linux on a console offers me a great added utility - a render box.

    Only problem is, it's a bit on the expensive side... and I don't think an Xbox Linux kit will be seen anytime soon, though that would certainly be preferable (aside from the hardware advantage, it would be much cheaper - already has HD and network card).
    • For the same price ($300 + $200) you could get a much more powerful headless PC to use as a Linux render box. Even if you already have the PS2, for $200 it's relatively easy to find a decent used PII or Celeron machine that is Mhz for Mhz about the same as a PS2. Of course that doesn't mean too much since we haven't seen the PS2 in action, but do consider it... and you don't have to wait until May for that.

  • Sure are thorough... (Score:5, Informative)

    by Tetrad69 ( 526053 ) <tetrad@gmail.com> on Thursday March 07, 2002 @01:26AM (#3123269)
    The kit for LINUX (FOR PLAYSTATION 2) includes:

    • Linux (for PlayStation 2) version 1.0 software
    • Monitor Cable Adaptor (for PlayStation 2)
    • Internal Hard Disc Drive (40 GB) (for PlayStation 2)
    • Network Adaptor (Ethernet) (for PlayStation 2)[10/100 Base-T]
    • USB Keyboard & USB Mouse (for PlayStation 2)

    Ah, such is a sign of the times, where the kids don't have enough attention span to realize that all of their items are for the PS2.

    I mean, seriously, do the USB keyboard and mice NOT work on other devices or something?
    • I mean, seriously, do the USB keyboard and mice NOT work on other devices or something?

      I don't know, but I imagine that they are catalog designations for the USB mouse and keyboard that have the PS logo rather than the Vaio logo on them... I know Sony has several varieties of keyboards and mice in their corporate inventory; they have to be designated somehow.

      Of course, the fact that it carried over to a public document is kinda odd, but you see it all the time. At least they left off the product number.

      --
      Evan

    • This is Sony doctrine, presumably to assure consistency of branding. You may have noticed that PS2 games are generally obliged to always refer to a memory card as a "Memory Card (8 MB) (for PlayStation 2)" when displaying even the briefest of messages.

      It's a bit of a running joke (for PlayStation 2). I've even seen a Sony tech who was informally answering a question consistently refer to it as a memory card (8 MB) (for PlayStation 2), so their spellchecker may well be adding it by now.

  • That almost makes me regret not buying a ps2. That is cool, maybe this could get linux out to a larger mass of people than it would otherwise, because I am sure that there will be games that will require the hard drive that is included in the kit, and that could possibly get more people interested in making linux better. And it definately, as what was said about the XBox here when it was talked about, create some very cheap web servers. Possibly, a sdk or something to go with the linux kit, so that people who want to, can create applications that could run on it, or be able to have bragging rights, "I created a game for my ps2!" that would be cool. And definately worth the $200
  • On the subject of game development for PSX
    I'm suprised no one has mentioned the Yaroze
    system on the original console. It was a special
    psx in a sexy blue colour along with a web
    community for the independent development of
    games. As I remember it was right expensive too,
    but none the less had a large enough group of
    supporters to keep it running.

    With the linux infrastructure already out there,
    it would seem to me like this will have the same
    level of success despite what the doomsayers may
    have to say. Sure it's expensive, but there are
    enough people with the money to blow on a toy
    like this that it probably won't be a big
    hype bomb.

    Then again, i think they said things not unlike
    this about the Coleco Adam.
  • For a brand-new product, this seems a little odd:

    What is on the DVD discs ?

    DISC 1

    The PlayStation 2 Runtime Environment
    PlayStation 2 System Manuals

    DISC 2

    The Linux operating system
    Kernel version 2.2.1 (my emphasis)
    Xfree86 X-Windows version 3.3.6 with support for PlayStation 2 Graphics Synthesizer
    GCC 2.95.2 and GLIBC 2.2.2
    An alpha version of Mesa 3D supporting limited graphics acceleration
    PlayStation 2 Development Libraries, device drivers, tools and sample code



    Particularly old kernel, with plenty of known bugs and issues that likely aren't fixed. The other utils are reasonably old as well (gcc 2.95.2, not 2.95.3). Why not at least 2.2.18? Inquiring minds etc.

  • hmmm. (Score:2, Funny)

    by einer ( 459199 )
    Wonder if they'll port the Doom process manager to it.

    Congratulations! You killed init!
  • The reason that I am really excited for this kit is because it puts some decent developer tools in peoples hands for a reasonable price. At the software retailer I work for, there are a lot of customers that are interested in game development and don't know how to get started. I imagine a lot of people are going to say that you can get a grey box that will do close to the same thing for less money, but the PS2 has a HUGE installed base as it is, and are a very trusted name.
    I just hope we get this in so I can get an employee discount
    • The problem is, I doubt the ps2 linux kit will work well for game development at all. I imagine that all the specialized processors will be nearly useless to joe programmer. It won't be easy to access all of them. And to really make the ps2 fly, you have to.

      The other problem, which most people don't realize when they want to program consoles, is how limited these things are. The ps2 has 32 megs of ram. Now that may sound like a fair amount, but remember.. theres no swap memory. On a PC you can get by with 64 because of swap. But on the ps2, you have to not only fit into 32 megs (which isn't much once you get some art!), you have to repeatedly fit, meaning you can't fragment your memory. This is just one of the *minor* problems.

      PS2 programming is considered some of the hardest console programming there is. Not sure I would recommend it to anyone. Plus you'd have to pay sony licensing fees to do it legally (I think). I would recommend just writing games on the PC. Its a lot easier. =)

  • Intro to Linux (Score:2, Insightful)

    by DarkRyder ( 103165 )
    I think this is going to be a great opportunity for people wanting to "get into" Linux but who don't want to commit the resources neccessary for converting a normal system to Linux. I myself have been wanting to run a dedicated Linux box for a while, but dual booting my main system is out of the question, and I don't have any spare boxes laying around. Now my PS2 can be a valuable part of my home network between sessions of GTA3 and FFX.

    I hope a lot of other gamer/geeks will take this opportunity as well - it's a good chance to learn more about the PS2 as well as Linux. Now if only I could get it to be my dedicated RtCW server...
  • But if I am going to need the hard drive/keyboard/broadband adaptor to play Final Fantasy XI.. I might as well get it now :)

    I just hope these will work with FFXI or I will be pissed.
  • I know there's a Direct X shim layer for OpenGL on sourceforge...now consider this:

    DX/OGL + PS2 = X-box...with native DVD support!

    I like it ;-)
    • > DX/OGL + PS2 = X-box...with native DVD support!

      Not quite. There are some OpenGL features that will *never* be supported on the PS2 (because the hardware doesn't support them *at all*,) and others that are dog-slow. (Check out "ps2gl" if you need more info)
      i.e. lack of blending modes, reading back the frame buffer, faking a stencil buffer via alpha tricks, etc

      I wish the PS2 had better OpenGL support, but the hardware unfortunately wasn't designed for it.
  • Oooh, it shows up as "Test ad" browsing with images off in Opera.

    Test post to see if my updated WebWasher filters knock it out.

  • LEGAL LOOPHOLES! (General Purpose Dev and DMCA) (Score:4, Interesting)

    by Anonymous Coward on Thursday March 07, 2002 @01:46AM (#3123337)
    Sony is screwing itself with this risky legal move!

    Although the legality of archiving copy-protected computer programs under the backup clause of copyright law was established in the 1988 Vault v. Quaid legal dispute, "general purpose" computing devices are permitted lots of special treatment vs. game consoles.

    Regular issue, game console software (N64, Dreamcast, PSX, PS2, Gameboy) is freely rentable at Blockbuster and other rental stores.

    And Sony dislikes this.

    Although ENTERTAINMENT software is rentable under fair use doctrine of cpyright law, and Wintel game titles are freely rentable at some brave stores, pc software straddles the legal line. Utilities are rarely rented.

    Sony hates the chips that allow PS2 to run archived backup copies from CDR and DVD-RAM. Some of these chips are NEO, NEO4, and Messiah. Some solutions require no soldering at all, some require as many as 25 wires. But Sony wants US Customs to strongarm all importer-resellers and private citizens.

    NEO4 plays any region DVD and BOOTs copies including PAL ackups. But most people go for as few a wire solution as possible access backups their valuable game media. Many PS@ backup solutions use a cheap Boot OS such as a GameShark CD or a competitor of GameShark. So a person usually needs to buy a chip, a boot cd, and a PS2.

    And they use DMCA to do it. But the moment they try to restrict Blockbuster by claiming that the PS2 is now functionally a "GENERAL PURPOSE COMPUTING DEVICE" complete with keyboard and Linux-OS they will legally screw themselves.

    Why?

    Because once it runs a general purpose OS, it is no longer treated as a game conole by law and the free sale of archiving software and archiving hardware is 100% legal. US Citizens have legal rights to make backups of their own general purpose software (within reason)

    So to bottle up Blockbuster, Sony's stupid little gambit will open floodgates to allow people to widely have access to software and hardware backup tools.

    I thinks Sony made a huge mistake in their greedy miscalculated rush.

    Sony does pay consultants to log into Remarq (supernews) directly to delete PS2 binaries direclty (or parts, or insert spoffed parts). Other pay-fee usenet servers are mostly immune but post-deletion wars are rampant the last 60 days. But PS2 backups can be found usually all over the place.

    I do not own a PS2 by the way. I only believe in emulations and emulating hardware to run my legally purchased software, including PSX (PS-1).

    sigh....

    People never mod anonymous tipsters regularly anymore so few may read this opinion, but slashdot used to work well and moderators used to read level 0, but so many angry and upset people seem to lash out with trolling to make being anon a sad task.

    -anon
    • IANAL, but this one will have to be taken to court.
      I believe, however, that this probably won't change the "legal" status of the PS2. This Linux development kit is an optional add on for the Playstation 2. The PS2 was still designed primarily as a game console, and will always be used primarily
      as a game console. The Linux kit is for hobbyists.
      I'm sure this is what a Sony lawyer would argue
      should the issue come up.
  • Now with linux available Sadam Hussien can finally find a use for all thise PS's he supposedly got diverted to himself for weapons modeling :) hehe...

    hey I find it amusing!
  • Ok, I don't own a PS/2. I have a PS/1, most of the games for which I haven't beaten (Linux is my toy instead ;-) so this may be my reason to get a PS/2. I can finally play GTA3 and still mess around with Linux. It'd also be a nice way to play with OpenGL stuff too. Wow... I'll have to seriously ponder this one! Sure, my opinion doesn't reflect market forces, but what the hell do I care? It's a PS/2! Plus, I can play stuff like frozen bubble and chromium on it and never leave Linux. Fuck the market and the big picture and Sony's potential revenue. I want one!
  • I'm thinking it'll make a great thin client for my TV set. plus, I'll keep my music on that HD and NFS it to my other systems. there is a digital audio output for connecting to the stereo, I'm hoping it'll be supported under Linux.

    It would've been nice if the keyboard/mouse was a one piece combo unit with wireless and a universal remote built in to control the stereo. Running an Xsession over 100BaseT ethernet should be No problem.

    it's going to be a nice way to get online and interact with TV shows that have live chat with the Picture-in-Picture on the TV set. Lookout Leo, I'm going to be on TechTV Live with a webcam on my PS2 under Linux, then I'll be REALLY COOL.

  • Interesting ... (Score:2, Interesting)

    by stepson ( 33039 )
    You need a memory card, and once its formatted for linux, it can't be used for Ps2 games. Also, you can use the hard drive for PS2 games, but i think the network adapter is ok (no dial up on the BBA that comes with the linux kit).

    All in all, i think you'd be better off with a dreamcast. Everything is a lot cheaper, so when you're sick of it in a month, you haven't invested a lot of money into it...
  • If not, Sony is really missing out on a good opportunity here. The DreamCast had such a capability.

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