PS2 Linux?

Sony Launches Linux for PS2
By Mike Darrah
Published January 30, 2002 @ 11:02 AM

That's right kiddies, forget all the pre-release hype, Sony has announced that the real deal will finally be here in May 2002.
Sony announced the availability of Linux for PlayStation(R)2 at the LinuxWorld Conference & Expo 2002 with the launch of release 1.0 of the 'Linux (for PlayStation 2)' kit targeted at Linux developers.

Sony announced that they have also put together a web site ( www.playstation2-linux.com )for the latest up to date information on Linux for PlayStation 2. The site will also serve as a destination for the community of developers working on applications for the new OS port.

The Linux (for PlayStation 2) kit is reported to retail for $199 will include the following:

Internal hard disk drive for PlayStation 2 (HDD) with 40 GB capacity

Network Adaptor (Ethernet) (for PlayStation 2) with 100 Base T Ethernet interface

Linux Kernel version 2.2.1 (with USB device support)

Linux (for PlayStation 2)'' Version 1.0 software distribution on two DVDs

gcc 2.95.2 and glibc 2.2.2 with VU assemblers

XFree86 3.3.6 with PlayStation 2 GS support

Computer monitor adaptor (for PlayStation 2) (with audio connectors)

USB Keyboard and mouse (for PlayStation 2)
Requirements for utilizing the kit are a standard North American PlayStation 2 (Models Numbers SCPH 30001, SCPH 30001R, SCPH 35001GT), a 8MB Memory Card (for PS2), and a VESA compatible monitor. Because the kit will run the PS2 at a resolution of 1024 x 768 resolution in XGA, most standard TV's will not support the display output from the kit. This creates the requirement for a VESA compatible monitor with green on sync compatibility.

Linux for PS/2? Will it have a command line interface? Something easy to find like, cd /home/user/homeuser/executables/etc/bin/games/granturismo23?

The big question is will it be open source?

Open Source is one of the main reasons for the strength and stability of Linux and if Sony try and keep their cards close to their chest the advantages go out the window.

Dave: They can't use the linux kernel without subscribing to the GNU/GPL. The GPL generally limits your ability to make "bolt-on" adaptations to the kernel or OS modules without making them open-source also.

With that in mind, I suspect they'll have to have it open, especially since they /are/ using the Linux name.

YAY!!!

Yeah, the GNU GPL is pretty harsh in restrictions which is good. I remember reading about MS getting into some strife with it at some point, for allegedly ripping some routines and shit out of it.

I heard today that some people are startin to freak out cause apparently you can lauch a missle from a PS2 cause of the microprocessor it uses?!

Could some clued up person clear this up.

Note to sony-Dont sell one to Bin Laden, even if he says hes gonna play GTA3 on it.

bah, I'm not sure what that means. We had missiles long before we had Intel 286s.

Sir Trancealot - the processor in a furby (those
annoying soft toys) is more powerful than alot of
the computers that were commonplace 10
years ago. As voiceinsideyou pointed out, we
had missiles long before this, hence a mate
explaining to me (when furbys came out) that
they had a decent enough capacity to control a
missile.

Apple Mac G4's are/were on sales scheme
where certain countries aren't allowed to have
them sent there, because of the capacity of the
G4 chip. Was the same when the G3's came out
too....

A PS/2 only has a 300Mhz CPU, so thats not the problem. The graphic capabilities of a PS/2 are more powerful than those of a graphics workstation and far exceed those found in typical PCs. Now, a modern SAM's targeting system is built around a 3D rendering engine to allow any on-board terminal homing to more accurately "paint" its target, thus reducing the targets ability to decoy the SAM. It an open question though if you actually convert a PS/2 for this purpose, what is more likely is by dis-assembling one you could learn how to improve your own targeting technology.

fish_boy: really fucking interesting, man! I see where it's coming from now, and I suppose it has some basis in fact then.

Kinda funny though eh? You can't really reverse engineer a silicon chip/microprocessor very easily, so I'm not sure it'd be that much use to anyone unless they had specs for the processor and arhcitecture laid out in front of them, with instruction sets, cycle lengths, pipeline details etc etc. I wonder how closely guarded that is by Sony or the processor manufacturer!

Totally true, thats why some ppl think the whole PS/2 - Iraq - Military thing is a Sony marketing beat up.

They needed an excuse as to why they were so late shipping the american PS2's and they'd already moved the release date several times, so that "Missile" rumour spawned. No truth to it.


It'll be usual linux interface, just like off a PC. No XWindows, no nothing. You gotta buy all the accessories to use it but.

What, like some kind of CDE/KDE? That would be fun. It'd be great to see if this launches Linux as a serious competitor to MS. It would be nifty if we could get all the apps that Windows users can chose from and shake up Mr. Gates at the same time. Its not that I particularly hate Microsoft, I just have problems with any huge, arrogant monopoly.

Fuck that cracks me up.

The PS2 / G4s may indeed be powerful enough to guide a missile but it was really just a big marketing exercise. Apple and Sony leaked out word that their machines had been classed as "supercomputers" (ha!) and hence couldn't be exported to "rogue nations". Which of course generated a lot of buzz in the hardware community. Very clever.

Besides, its not like an export ban is gonna stop Osama and Saddam from getting as many as they want. If they REALLY could be converted to serious military application do you think the U.S. would have allowed the companies to create them for public use AT ALL?

The jokes on Saddam though. Hes probably bought a heap of the things only to find that they're only good for games. Still, I guess his troops'll have fun playing GT3A!

I have to say that going to the lengths of reverse engineering A PS2 for another use could be difficult. But you have to remember that there are people who are really clever fuckers and these clever fuckers also get insane amounts of money thrown at them.

rpm - agreed there, it's always said, nah this is "uncrackable" or whatever but put 10 hackers in a dimly lit room and wait and see...