Software Review: Yellow Dog Linux 5 for PlayStation 3
Published February 18, 2007
Sony has been telling us for a while now that the PlayStation 3 is more than a game console, it is a computer.
They tried this with the PS2 as well, when they released the Linux Kit for PS2, though that didn't make much of a splash.
This time around, however, they built the PS3 with Linux in mind, and from the looks of things so far, Linux (any distribution) is going to have a lot to do on the PS3.
As part of an agreement with Sony Computer Entertainment Incorporated, Terra Soft Solutions announced last year the release of Yellow Dog Linux for the PlayStation 3. Terra Soft has also partnered with RapidMind to make application development for the PS3/Cell architecture easier.
There are a couple other distributions out for the PS3, but Yellow Dog Linux 5 (based on Red Hat Linux source code) offers the most features, and — for the time being — looks to be the distro to install if you are curious.
If you are curious about having a full Linux box right inside your PS3, I encourage you to try it out. You can always format the hard drive later, and it will be like you never had Linux installed in the first place.
And what do you have to lose, it's all free! You can purchase an Enhanced account for ydl.net, which gives you (superb) install support, but this is by no means a requirement to download the ISO.
But what do you get with Yellow Dog Linux 5? There are 2248 packages (RPMs) included, including heavyweights in the Open Source software arena such as OpenOffice, GIMP, Firefox... the list goes on and on. Yellow Dog 5 also comes with a simply stunning desktop environment, called Enlightenment (E17). You can still run KDE or Gnome, but E17 is really great to use, plus it incorporates a lot from the Gnome environment.
Homebrew has already found a home on the PS3, as has emulation. If you look hard enough, you will find it. Considering the homebrew/emulation scene on the PSP, the PS3 won't take long to catch up.
Ken Edwards is the Gaming Editor at Blogcritics, and calls Breaking Windows home. Ken works part time for Student Publications at BGSU as the Webmaster and System Administrator. He is also a freelance web developer.
- Software Review: Yellow Dog Linux 5 for PlayStation 3
- Published: February 18, 2007
- Type: Review
- Section: Gaming
- Filed Under: Gaming: PlayStation 3, Sci/Tech: Software
- Writer: Ken Edwards
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Comments on this articleComments
A wireless mouse/keyboard with a USB connector works fine.
One major limitation of the PS3 linux is lack of accelerated graphics. As a result, my attempt to get full screen .avi file playback on my HDTV was disappointing.
Sadly none of the distros can access RSX. So no accelerated graphics. It looks like Sony has given Terra Soft the most access to the hardware, though.
I have tried to install Yellow dog on my ps3 and it gave me a bunch of errors then went blank.
could this be my keyboard and mouse?
I have a Rocketfish bluetooth kyb/mse combo wich works fine in the ps3 os. I didn't write down the errors ( I goofed ) and I'm weary of trying again without more info.
PS I don't have a HD screen only a cheap crt tv and will have to install the fix.
denis dun worry man, i just read sum forum. and this is wat u need to do. for localhost login u type root. then the password u typed in when installin ydl. then u type Xautoconfig. after that startx n have fun with ydl!
I got a whole bunch of errors on the yum update that I read about but has anyone figured out how to add the plug in's for the dvd and blueray to work yet?
I tried to install Gentoo and I failed cuz it didnt install anything and I just had to boot it to the ps3 system again!//
PS If u dont know how to get back to ur old OS just write boot-game-os in the terminal or install thingy or W/E
denis dun worry man, i just read sum forum. and this is wat u need to do. for localhost login u type root. then the password u typed in when installin ydl. then u type Xautoconfig. after that startx n have fun with ydl!
did it but screen just went blank
hmmm mine to
any 1 found an answer to this problem yet
you need a TV with a DVI port to connect to. Mentions it on the YD site
i got an HDMI port, dosent it work with that one??
denis...if you follow the yd instructions, you will see that it requires HDMI or component cables to connect to. It does not support standard connections because the resolution is too low. you can try to install it via "installtext" to run in low resolution text mode.
Someone tell me why the %@$& no one seems to want to tell those of us who AREN'T computer savants how to do this? I mean seriously the only tutorials that tell you how to do it are full of some pretty saver holes, and are as hard to find as a needle in a Hay Planet.
What are you reading? The instructions are quite simple, especially with the new Yellow Dog Linux 6 installer DVD.
well this is good i think that the program for the ps3 is kool and i'am going now to buy the cd
We must note that hdmi = dvi with a different conector type, same data feed as far as I know
hey dudes, i really need a distro that works with open office 3, can ydl run it just fine?
Hi guys how do i enter to the root i'm having troubles to login in game os thank you
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Not too fussed about the wifi as my current console sits right next to my cable modem, but how about using the rest of the functionality? Is there some sort of bluetooth keyboard available, and will it be any better than the dreadful web TV version supplied by NTL a few years back?