Yet another Linux option for your PS3: Debian Live
By Darren Murph 
posted Jan 17th 2007 9:50AM
posted Jan 17th 2007 9:50AM
At this point, running Linux on your PlayStation 3 shouldn't come as any surprise, but just in case you haven't snapped up the Yellow Dog variety, and you're still intrigued after seeing that Fedora Core video, here's yet another option for testing the open source waters on your machine. Debian Live is now available as a downloadable ISO for use on Sony's latest console, and while the task may seem a bit daunting to the uninitiated, there's a fairly thorough wiki set up at the site to guide you through the snags and help you get things running smoothly. So if you've got nothing better to do than tinker with an OS on your PS3, be sure to hit the read link, get your download on, and report on back with your tales of success (or failure).[Via PS3Fanboy]
For a second there, I thought the title said:
"Yet another Linux option for your PS3: Lesbian Live"
Just download Firefox and point it to google.
I currently own an Xbox, Xbox 360, and would consider myself a closet fanboy. I never boast one system over another, but secretly hope one will reign supreme. I never thought I'd say this, but I want to pick up a PS3.
Hahaha Nando, I read it "Lesbian Dive"
HAHAHA!! "Lesbian Dive" is so much funnier! I mean, that IS what they do...
The pse have potential to be great but theres something missing.
i am hoping that soon it can support every media file. Soon games start to come out and soon it can be just like the ps2 but being a ps3.
I think when that happens thats when it will dominate the industry again. I just cant believe how sony handed the market over to microsoft.
I wouldn't call it a Live CD.
I tried this out on my PS3 last night. You still need the USB Memory stick with the bootloader and "otheros" file from Sony. I have yet to try placing the kboot config file on the CD to see if it works, but so far I've only been able to boot to the Live CD if I had the USB Memory stick plugged in. I'm working right now on a method (if possible) to install Linux on a USB hard drive that boots like this as well, but the bootloader isn't reading the drive using the ext3 patitions so my next attempt will try using a very small vfat partition to get the ball rolling.
WOW.
From my Linuxoid perspective, that's very good news. I'm Debian user for last N years and having such option - even to play Tetris on PS3 - might be really interesting idea. In my eyes it is definitely +1 for PS3.
Also, as some have pointed out already, the prospects of having 3rd party games running under Linux instead of PS3 official firmware are also interesting. Although, few would consider that: Sony might cripple gaming performance under Linux with simple firmware update - just to make sure there is no competition to its official line-up. But in their place, right now, I would have used every opportunity to promote all the fancy capabilities of PS3 - even 3rd party games under Linux - to help PS3 sell.
Anyhow, my taboo on Sony products wasn't yet lifted. I have the aftertaste - bad experience with Sony equipment before (some portables) which were (as later turned out) officially supported only under Windows (not even Mac - least Linux). When you are in 95% Linux environment (and remaining 5% are Macs), finding fitting Windows to update firmware might be nontrivial task. IOW, I would not expect miracles: Sony officially supports MS & Windows only - with Mac/Linux/BSD smoking on side road. Whatever they are saying now - IMHO are just PR to appeal to geeks.
sweet...now just drop the price of the console 2-300 bucks and we're in business
are there currently any applications that take advantage of the PS3's beefed up specs? anything that taps the RSX or Cell? what's the incentive for using linux on ps3?
One incentive would be to run MythTV on it...
http://filt3r.blogspot.com/2007/01/t3-ps3-tunes-into-tv.html
Why not just run Fedora Core on a regular PC like I do? Why waste $600 to do what can be done for cheaper?
Because you can?
And because I also use it as a high-def gaming console. I'm not a FPS (or over the shoulder FPS) player and the 360 has nothing that appeals to me that's not also on both systems. Oh, and the PS3 (using an HDMI[ps3] -> DVI[tv]) is able to handle my HD TV better than my 6800GT in my PC (using DVI[pc] -> DVI [tv]) which means a better quality experience on a 52" screen than my PC can offer. Let's see, there's something else... Oh yeah, if I wanted to, I could download a Linux based emulator and play ROMS all day long without paying for them again? (Of course, I would only get those games that I own carts for.)
I look forward to being able to pull up a file from my server and stream it over the network, browse the net from my couch with Firefox, and some of the other million things Linux can do (but in big screen, again back to the "because we can" excuse.)
Well I guess you should of just ignored my comment completely since I was saying how to save some money and your just going on about your HDTV and video card. I was just saying how buying a PS3 to run Linux is a waste of money. Therefore Linux on PS3 will be relegated to nothing more than a hobby. If you really wanna take advantage of a Linux-based OS, try it on a PC.
I have, and I do. ;) It's also nice to be able to run it in my living room. How is that a bad thing?
And to Shini:
No link to the story? I call BS. What did the person do to the PS3? How could non-standard video cables affect the PS3 unless he fried the video card becuase some wires were crossed, which in that case Sony was defending themselves against poor quality third party manufacturing. The person in question should be going after the maker of the cable for screwing up his device.
I'm curious now, I saw a story today about the PS3's warranty being voided by using "PRODUCTS NOT SOLD OR LICENSED BY SCEA (INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, NON-LICENSED GAME ENHANCEMENT DEVICES, CONTROLLERS, ADAPTORS AND POWER SUPPLY DEVICES)." In this case, they nicked the guy for using non-licensed video cables. Since it is apparently not limited to physical products, would that include dropping non-Sony approved linux on one's PS3?
@Nando
"Yet another Linux option for your PS3: Lesbian Live"
I might have just pissed myself. HAHAHA
Andir:
Link below. It does state that any non-licensed product voids the warranty right on Sony's own website. If I recall correctly, Yellow Dog was sanctioned by Sony but I've seen nothing about Debian being similarly approved. Sony's already taking losses on the PS3, I'm sure they'll take any out they can get when it comes to giving someone free parts and labor...
http://consumerist.com/consumer/sony/using-nonlicensed-third-party-products-does-void-ps3-warranty-229487.php
http://www.us.playstation.com/Support/PS3/Warranties
I've got it all working! Pure Debian, running KDE, and showing movies. Now it's my main movie player for the big screen. But boy, was it a slog to get it all working! I'm guessing that better directions will come out soon.
is there any way you could give some howto pointers?
Hi, I've just got it all installed (a relatively smooth process) but now, when Linux boots, the screen is all messed up. Strange colours and lines, and you can't see anything at all really.
There are a few "ghost-like" images when you move the mouse, but that's it - totally unusable at the moment.
I am connected via the HDMI cable, but I have also tried the composite. Do I need to be using the component output. Thought I'd ask before I go and buy a new cable.