GDC 07 Yellow Dog Linux Interview

[bilbobob007]

Up on gametrailers is a really interesting interview about Yellow Dog Linux.
It looks very good and is been optimized for the PS3.

http://www.gametrailers.com/player.php?type=wmv&id=17785

not sure if this is right as I'm at work and will get bitch slapped if i get caught.

[n1n9tean]

Any new info on wifi support or flash? I can't watch the video right now.

[jaxmkii]

cool im going to start looking into getting a bigger HD soon.

[Segitz]

I saw this one too...

Very interesting stuff here.

He said something along the lines "when... IF... we get 3D acceleration, we will be in a complete different ballpark...".

He also said, Sony contacted them, that they do the OS for them.


Could that mean, that he somehow accidentely confirmed a 3D module for the PS3, sort of?

That would be HUGE! I am a huge fan of Linux and I would love to see some pretty neat 3D stuff on my PS3.

He also added, that they, in only 4 days of works, ported the MESA library (3D library for Linux, something not unlike Direct X)to the cell, and that it is about 80 faster than the Intel Woodcrest (Pentium 4 iirc).

As a sidenote, he mentions 9 cores (8SPEs and 1 PPE), which is sort of not correct.

[xbdestroya]

Terra Soft works with the full Cell systems as well as PS3, so I'm not surprised that he made the reference to the 1+8 Cell configuration by mistake. Yellow Dog has access to 6 SPEs, rather than 8 of course.

I don't think he let slip anything on the 3D front - I just think it's something they're still fighting for. For a number of reasons, it makes sense why Sony would be against it. But we'll just see where it ends up going I guess. Either way, Linux on PS3 is a good time.

[indiekid4]

So like, can you download Yellow Dog 5.0 on your PS3 hard drive now? or is this something that is still in the works?

[xbdestroya]

So like, can you download Yellow Dog 5.0 on your PS3 hard drive now? or is this something that is still in the works?

Wha...?

Dude, I've had Yellow Dog on my PS3 since last December. ;)

You download it to a PC, put it on a DVD, and install it on the PS3.

[VG Aficionado]

That reminds me that I have to download YDL this week or early next week.

Have they updated the ISO since December?

[xbdestroya]

I don't believe the ISO's been updated as yet, but no doubt it will at regular intervals.

[acousticvan]

I guess they don't make a lot of money by going through the free download route.

[xbdestroya]

Well, they made their money by Sony outright commisioning them it seems. And of course, they make money on the corporate side by providing support to their customers. They're actually involved in quite a few Cell/Linux-related projects.

But no, they don't make money on Linux itself, and that is because they are not allowed to.

[SleazyBig slim]

Please forgive my noobness, but what functionality does Yellowdog give the PS3 that it doesn't already have?

[xbdestroya]

Well, like the computer you're typing from now? It gives it *that* functionality. ;)

[VG Aficionado]

Please forgive my noobness, but what functionality does Yellowdog give the PS3 that it doesn't already have?All the functionality a Linux PC could have. For now, you may not be able to play Linux versions of PC Windows games, but you could do pretty much everything you are doing now with your personal computer.

[SleazyBig slim]

All the functionality a Linux PC could have. For now, you may not be able to play Linux versions of PC Windows games, but you could do pretty much everything you are doing now with your personal computer.

Awesome, I use my PS3 to surf the web already.

[NeoPlayStation]

PS3 YD Linux don't have flash support yet. But how about the "other os" that can be intalled in ps3?

[xbdestroya]

PS3 YD Linux don't have flash support yet. But how about the "other os" that can be intalled in ps3?

You mean... Linux? :confused:

[indiekid4]

Wha...?

Dude, I've had Yellow Dog on my PS3 since last December. ;)

You download it to a PC, put it on a DVD, and install it on the PS3.

ahh ok...i thought so. I wasn't sure cause I kept hearing all these rumors and whatnots...thanks for the update...lol

One last noobish question...can you give me a link to where I can download it onto a DVD? Thanks...i'm lazy..lol.

[Nerve-Damage]

PS3 YD Linux don't have flash support yet. But how about the "other os" that can be intalled in ps3?

I have Windows 2003 server running on mines (under YDL emulation).

[xbdestroya]

ahh ok...i thought so. I wasn't sure cause I kept hearing all these rumors and whatnots...thanks for the update...lol

On lasy noobish question...can you give me a link to where I can download it onto a DVD? Thanks...i'm lazy..lol.

http://www.terrasoftsolutions.com/resources/downloads.shtml

[CygnusXI]

(Noobness)

Can your linux ps3 communicate with your windows pc via wireless?
Also.
Can your ps3 w/o an alternate OS communicate (file share, etc) with your pc via wireless?

[indiekid4]

http://www.terrasoftsolutions.com/resources/downloads.shtml

Thanks Xbd! ;)

[VG Aficionado]

(Noobness)

Can your linux ps3 communicate with your windows pc via wireless?
Also.Hell yes, no doubt about it. Setting up file sharing and permissions is quite easy.

Can your ps3 w/o an alternate OS communicate (file share, etc) with your pc via wireless?Not really. You could set up an HTTP or FTP server in your PC and download your multimedia files to your PS3 wirelessly, but I don't think there's a way to wirelessly share files from your PS3 to your PC.

However, with PS3's LocationFree, I wouldn't be surprised if there was a way to stream all multimedia files from it somehow by using a PC. By the way, starting next week with firmware update 1.6, you'll be able to access your PS3 from anywhere in the world with your PSP and remotely stream content from the HDD.

[n1n9tean]

wifi doesn't work on YDL.

[VG Aficionado]

wifi doesn't work on YDL.Not yet, but there will definately be support for that in YDL in the future. However, there are more Linux distros that work with PS3 and I wonder if any of them are compatible with PS3's WiFi hardware.

[Segitz]

Maybe not WiFi, but the Gigabit Port works, doesnt it?

If so, it is no hassle to setup Samba to share and browse files with a Windows PC.

If one is interested in YDL, the next special issue of c't ( hxxps:// www .heise.de/kiosk/special/ not links allowed yet) has the recent version of it included (8.5€ with free shipping in all Europe, and 10€ shipping fee worldwide) on dvd.

[bilbobob007]

Hell yes, no doubt about it. Setting up file sharing and permissions is quite easy.

Not really. You could set up an HTTP or FTP server in your PC and download your multimedia files to your PS3 wirelessly, but I don't think there's a way to wirelessly share files from your PS3 to your PC.

However, with PS3's LocationFree, I wouldn't be surprised if there was a way to stream all multimedia files from it somehow by using a PC. By the way, starting next week with firmware update 1.6, you'll be able to access your PS3 from anywhere in the world with your PSP and remotely stream content from the HDD.

That is absolutly crazy. The stuff the PS3 can how the hell can anyone say the oposition is anywhere near as good. The stuff I have seen this month really does show off what a sweet baby it is. I'm not a Sony Fanboy. I'm a PS3 Fanboy. All this and I dont own one for another 8 days. I'm 40 years old and it feels like been 10 and christmas all over again.

Question for the tech heads here. under linux is it not possible to use the spe's in such a way as to sort have a 3d card. I know what I'm getting at here but i'm not sure I have put that across well. In that interview he said they had done lots of cell specific optimisation. So I guess they have a lot of knowledge now specific to running linux on the PS3?

[VG Aficionado]

Maybe not WiFi, but the Gigabit Port works, doesnt it?Yeah, assuming he'd be willing to use an Ethernet cable, he definately could do it that way.

I wonder if USB WiFi adaptors can be used in YDL.

[Rockmond]

Can YDL on PS3 be used as full alternative to the PC???

[xbdestroya]

Question for the tech heads here. under linux is it not possible to use the spe's in such a way as to sort have a 3d card. I know what I'm getting at here but i'm not sure I have put that across well. In that interview he said they had done lots of cell specific optimisation. So I guess they have a lot of knowledge now specific to running linux on the PS3?

Running Linux on PS3 is not an issue at all. Hell, YDL isn't even the only Linux version you're limited to by a longshot.

Here's a guide I wrote to get Fedora 5 onto the PS3, which was the OS of choice before YDL released (for all of a month): http://linuxps3.net/articles/software-apps-and-os/installing-fedora-5-linux-on-your-ps3.html

Yes, the Cell can be used to do 3D on the PS3 in Linux, but... things will take a while before they can be used as a framework. In the meantime, I wouldn't worry about it unless you yourself are going to experiment with raytracing or something. The efforts actually are focused more on lobbying Sony for RSX access than they are in creating a 'virtual' GPU via the SPEs.

Can YDL on PS3 be used as full alternative to the PC???

Absolutely, except it obviously won't run programs written for Windows, it'll run programs written for Linux.

[bilbobob007]

God man you put that so gracefully. Can i have your babies Xbdestroya?

[CygnusXI]

Yeah, assuming he'd be willing to use an Ethernet cable, he definately could do it that way.


Bah! Cable over 3 floors, no thanks lol.
Not a big deal for now, just curious. I think I may set up this linux anyway, it does seem like a nice piece of software.

[xbdestroya]

Can i have your babies Xbdestroya?

....

:smoke:

[VG Aficionado]

....

:smoke:Am I imagining stuff or did you just "proceed"? (hence the cig :dur:)

[OmniCloud]

@XB I use Ubuntu, and it's freakin awesome btw. I"ve seen a few "How To's" on the forums but is it stable on PS3?

Bottom line, which version YDL, Fedora, or Ubuntu is best to install for me If I want to watch all my Naruto episodes with one of the media players?

[xbdestroya]

Am I imagining stuff or did you just "proceed"? (hence the cig :dur:)

You're imagining things. I just didn't know quite how to address it. ;)

@XB I use Ubuntu, and it's freakin awesome btw. I"ve seen a few "How To's" on the forums but is it stable on PS3?

Bottom line, which version YDL, Fedora, or Ubuntu is best to install for me If I want to watch all my Naruto episodes with one of the media players?

Well I've only tried Fedora and YDL on it, so can't speak to Ubuntu. I'm in the process of moving during the next couple of weeks, but come early April I will be getting *much* more serious about exploring the Linux aspects of the PS3. YDL will have the most Windows-like install process though, and take up the least amount of RAM to run the OS. Garfunkel is probably a better source for media player information at the present time, but it should be noted that PS3 will have some differences, and I'm not sure if all installs support the sound right off the bat (YDL does though).

[curryking1]

Wow, that's cool. Opted for the PS3? That's wicked.

Thanks too for all the input xb! This isn't the kind of stuff for me, but that's pretty nuts that you can run this beast of an OS on it really well, wow! A lot of people are really working with these Cell processors and PS3's, it's nuts, this kind of focus on tech in a console is absolutely unheard of.

I must admit though, I don't know exactly what's going on here and what can be done ;)

[OmniCloud]

You're imagining things. I just didn't know quite how to address it. ;)



Well I've only tried Fedora and YDL on it, so can't speak to Ubuntu. I'm in the process of moving during the next couple of weeks, but come early April I will be getting *much* more serious about exploring the Linux aspects of the PS3. YDL will have the most Windows-like install process though, and take up the least amount of RAM to run the OS. Garfunkel is probably a better source for media player information at the present time, but it should be noted that PS3 will have some differences, and I'm not sure if all installs support the sound right off the bat (YDL does though).No prob man...I'll research YDL then and see what can be done with it. Is there an official forum like Ubuntu?

[cliffbo]

No prob man...I'll research YDL then and see what can be done with it. Is there an official forum like Ubuntu?

http://www.ubuntu.com/

it took me ages finding that +rep me Omni lol

[OmniCloud]

http://www.ubuntu.com/

it took me ages finding that +rep me Omni lolLOL...I actually run Ubuntu myself and I have that page bookmarked in my Firefox...

but I'll rep ya anyway mate;)

[bilbobob007]

Well thats great I start a really interesting thread off and nobody reps me. Even when i offer to have XBdestroya's babies. Which i might add was in response of the fluid, informative, interesting way he replied to me.

thank you XB

[n1n9tean]

Not yet, but there will definately be support for that in YDL in the future. However, there are more Linux distros that work with PS3 and I wonder if any of them are compatible with PS3's WiFi hardware.

Terra Soft are currently working to incorporate Sony's drivers into YDL since they appearantly didn't use a regular card (with readily available drivers) in building the PS3. It's a compatibility issue. With that being the case, NO other existing distribution of Linux has wifi enabled on PS3. YDL will most certainly be the first because of their close partnership with Sony.

I have had YDL installed for awhile now but I chose not to use it until they get wifi working. I didn't want to bother running a second ethernet cable up here (the first one is occupied) when I know wifi is on the way.

[jsaydm]

I have Windows 2003 server running on mines (under YDL emulation).

What's the speed like?

[nwo504]

let me know when wifi and rsx are usable

[indiekid4]

Hell yes, no doubt about it. Setting up file sharing and permissions is quite easy.

Not really. You could set up an HTTP or FTP server in your PC and download your multimedia files to your PS3 wirelessly, but I don't think there's a way to wirelessly share files from your PS3 to your PC.

However, with PS3's LocationFree, I wouldn't be surprised if there was a way to stream all multimedia files from it somehow by using a PC. By the way, starting next week with firmware update 1.6, you'll be able to access your PS3 from anywhere in the world with your PSP and remotely stream content from the HDD.


But, doesn't your PS3 need to be on for this to work?

[VG Aficionado]

But, doesn't your PS3 need to be on for this to work?Yes, of course. Is that a problem? A lot of people leave their PCs on all the time, why wouldn't they do the same with their PS3? Actually, there's a good chance PS3 would make less of an impact in the electricity bill than an average PC.

[Fats]

Well, if I'm half way around the World I know for a fact my PS3 isn't going to be on. Perhaps if you could leave it on Standby, and tell it to switch itself on, it wouldn't be so much of a problem but even then I'd be reluctant to do so.

[VG Aficionado]

Well, if I'm half way around the World I know for a fact my PS3 isn't going to be on. Perhaps if you could leave it on Standby, and tell it to switch itself on, it wouldn't be so much of a problem but even then I'd be reluctant to do so.I think Sony could do that if they want. As far as I know, that can be done with regular PCs since many years ago. To be honest, it would be a great feature.

[indiekid4]

Yes, of course. Is that a problem? A lot of people leave their PCs on all the time, why wouldn't they do the same with their PS3? Actually, there's a good chance PS3 would make less of an impact in the electricity bill than an average PC.

I hear what you are saying, but I really don't want my PS3 overheating...it would be tragic if it did...i'd cry...probably..maybe...lol

[Fats]

PS3 overheating = Potential Fire hazard, that's why I'd be a little reluctant.

[VG Aficionado]

There's always a risk when you're not looking after the device, but that isn't limited to PS3. Our fridges are on 24/7 and we usually leave home for hours, days or weeks and we don't even think about it.

Anyway, I'm also afraid of it and I'll make sure to put it in a safe place. However, PS3 has been a low failure rate system so far.

[curryking1]

Just put it on a slab of stone and you're set! Fire Hazard go buh-bye!

[Nerve-Damage]

What's the speed like?

Run's like sh** most of the times...but that’s expected from emulation.

[Red_Eyes]

I hear what you are saying, but I really don't want my PS3 overheating...it would be tragic if it did...i'd cry...probably..maybe...lol

Overheating? Yeah right. It'll only overheat if you play a very intensive game on it for a week straight. If you just leave it there, on and idle, it ain't going to generate much heat.

[n1n9tean]

If the PS3 is in danger of oveheating you will see the power light alternate between green and red as a warning to turn your system off.

I know this because I'm one of the few people in the world who flipped through the manual. :thumbr:

[Sephiroth_VII]

^REAL MEN DON'T NEED MANUALS!!!

Oh, btw, how do I change the HDD!? "Goes to look for the instructions."
Yes, I know how to change the HDD, it was a lame joke.

[bilbobob007]

If the PS3 is in danger of oveheating you will see the power light alternate between green and red as a warning to turn your system off.

I know this because I'm one of the few people in the world who flipped through the manual. :thumbr:

Now thats a good idea. Except that if your half way round the world your not going to see the lights. maybe they could have a warning sent to the psp. and include a shutdown over net feature added. if you catch my drift.

[Sephiroth_VII]

Come on, unless you place it in direct sunlight, it's not going to overheat from just being idle! Maybe if it's folding proteins at the same time, but I doubt it, since the BD-drive and HDD will be mostly inactive, and they're some of the warmest components.

Anyway, my PS3 has never overheated, and I doubt it will for a while yet.

[n1n9tean]

I have yet to hear of any technical problems with PS3 hardware; be it oveheating or otherwise. It's really a rock-solid system. I don't think we need to be overly concerned about it.

Anyone on my friends list can see me logged on all the the day; and, on top of that, I often fall asleep with mine running all night. No oveheating.