PS3 loses Linux support with next firmware update

[Valkysas]

The next firmware update will remove linux support from the non-slim PS3s.

If you have linux installed, back your stuff up now. because after the update, you won't be able to access it anymore.

most likely to get rid of an exploit someone may have found that would finally open the piracy floodgates on the system.

[Perversion]

Re: PS3 loses Linux support with next firmware update

I guess that 10 gig partition I made when I reformatted not so long ago is pretty worthless now.

[Jehuty]

Re: PS3 loses Linux support with next firmware update

Some people are up in arms about this, i don't understand why.

[marcus]

Re: PS3 loses Linux support with next firmware update

Some people are up in arms about this, i don't understand why.

Forcing the removal of advertised features seems like something to get up in arms about.

"It was fully intended that you, a PS3 owner, could play games, watch movies, view photos, listen to music, and run a full-featured Linux operating system that transforms your PS3 into a home computer."

I'd go as far to say that 99% of PS3 users don't care but the PS3 was built and marketed to be both a home console and personal computer and there are dozens of people who've built super computers and program on the PS3 using Linux. The fact that they're mandating the removal is traditional Sony reaction of "If your finger's bleeding, amputate the whole arm" rather than actually addressing the exploit issue at hand. I guess they figured since people continued to exploit the PSP the only way to keep people from doing the same on the PS3 is to restrict them altogether.

[Valkysas]

Re: PS3 loses Linux support with next firmware update

Luckily, this shouldnt effect all the PS3s that are chained together as super computers in various parts of the world. They really don't care about being locked out from the PSN.

One of my friends wants a PS3 badly, and the linux support is one of the things that made him want it, so it could be used as a computer.

If I remember right, sony said that they wouldnt be removing the feature from the old PS3s, EVER, back when it was announced that the slim wouldnt support it.

whatever. If I'm correct about why it's being done, I understand Sony's reasoning, and I'd do the same thing in their position.

[DarkwingChuck]

Re: PS3 loses Linux support with next firmware update

It only does MOST OF THE STUFF IT USED TO DO.

[Goufunaki]

Re: PS3 loses Linux support with next firmware update

I never used it, so meh.

[Jeroak Nelave]

Re: PS3 loses Linux support with next firmware update

Hmmm, i'd rather they remove the capability to use Linux than have the PS3 turn into the PSP as far as software piracy is concerned.

[marcus]

Re: PS3 loses Linux support with next firmware update

It only does MOST OF THE STUFF IT USED TO DO.

Excuse me, sir, I'm required by the manufacturer to remove the built in GPS from your car. Oh, don't worry, you can buy a third party GPS and it's still your car but you'll just have one less feature that we advertised and you paid for.

[Jeroak Nelave]

Re: PS3 loses Linux support with next firmware update

Your analogy doesnt apply at all in this case, because Linux is not built into the system, just the capability for it, YOU have to actually install and use Linux.

Care to try again?

[John Mora]

Re: PS3 loses Linux support with next firmware update

It's still a bad blow to the versatility of the machine.

[Valkysas]

Re: PS3 loses Linux support with next firmware update

I'm sure sony knows that.

but when faced with keeping Linux in for a handful of people to use, or letting mass piracy happen, they made the right choice.

[John Mora]

Re: PS3 loses Linux support with next firmware update

Are we sure about that reason?

[Valkysas]

Re: PS3 loses Linux support with next firmware update

they cite a security concern in the announcement.

a while back someone managed to get the PS3 to run a few lines of custom code (nothing really exploitable, yet).

connecting the lines is easy.

[Perversion]

Re: PS3 loses Linux support with next firmware update

Same guy who cracked the iPhone. Dirty, filthy hackers.