[PS3] Free Simplified Linux distro for PS3

Q

Quad Master

Skilled
Free simplified Linux distro for PS3

​

Want to do more with your Playstation 3? HELIOS Software and Terra Soft Solutions have made available for free download a modified version of the Yellow Dog Linux (YDL) distribution.

Using the YDL distro, it is possible to add server functionality to the PS3. The stripped down distro provides a lightweight, low overhead server environment on the powerful gaming machine, offering what HELIOS describes as "an exciting test-drive platform for its file, print, PDF and image server software".

Installing in only 6 minutes, the distro includes DHCP network settings, support for Java 1.5 and an AppleTalk enhanced kernel. The server's operating system has also been optimised, with HELIOS boasting that it frees up 40% more memory.

"Our Linux distribution for PS3 is another milestone in our support for the Open Source Community", explained Helmut Tschemernjak, chief executive and president of HELIOS Software.

"I am pleased HELIOS chose to bring its enterprise client server solutions to the PS3 running Yellow Dog Linux," reported Kai Staats, chief executive of Terra Soft Solutions, the developer of Yellow Dog Linux. "With HELIOS' modified Yellow Dog Linux distribution it is simple to use the PS3 as an efficient light duty server."

Packed with gaming power, the PS3 uses a 64-bit Cell processor which runs at 3.2 GHz, is PowerPC compatible with 256 MB of main memory, and has performance comparable to a G5 single CPU. The PS3 comes with the NVIDIA RSX Graphics Processing Unit, has a 60 GB 2.5" swappable serial ATA disk and offers WLAN and Gigabit Ethernet for network connectivity.

 
I've got it installed and working. Tried Linux for the first time ever, and I must say it isn't bad at all, but still I wouldn't say it would make a full alternative for XP, and its a little hard getting used to.

YDL currently comes preinstalled with firefox and Office programs. Firefox is awesome. Next I'm going to try and install VLC Media Player or Mplayer, so I can run any movie format :p
 
I have Yellow Dog installed on PS3 too, IMO they are all useless on the PS3, until nvidia comes out with a gl driver for PS3 Linux, or someone makes an open source version nvidia driver. It has been a matter of contention for a long time, and there are limits of what you can do without gl. There is also a ppc version of Fedora that people have been installing on PS3 that is supposed to be pretty good... but still no gl :(
 
Back
Top