PS3 Linux RIP (for now)

Posted by EricBall, in Uncategorized, OtherOS 02 April 2010 · 75 views

OtherOS

Poll: PS3 Linux RIP (for now) (9 member(s) have cast votes)

pick the one which best describes you

no PS3 (2 votes [23%])
Percentage of vote: 23%
PS3 slim (1 votes [12%])
Percentage of vote: 12%
my PS3 could run Linux? (1 votes [12%])
Percentage of vote: 12%
never intended on installing OtherOS (1 votes [12%])
Percentage of vote: 12%
never installed OtherOS (2 votes [23%])
Percentage of vote: 23%
installed OtherOS, but won't miss it (0 votes [0%])
Percentage of vote: 0%
those bastards, taking away my PS3 Linux (2 votes [23%])
Percentage of vote: 23%
those bastards, I won't be able to access PSN (0 votes [0%])
Percentage of vote: 0%
I guess I'll buy a PS3 slim to play games (0 votes [0%])
Percentage of vote: 0%
my PS3 Linux uptime is 2 years, what's yours? (0 votes [0%])
Percentage of vote: 0%

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For those of you with PS3s, be aware that the April 1 update disables OtherOS. So after installing the update you will no longer be able to install OtherOS or boot into OtherOS - so no more PS3 Linux. (Of course, the PS3 slim didn't have this ability.) Not upgrading means you will no longer be able to access the Playstation Network.

There has been much discussion on whether this is legal. IANAL, but I suspect it is not and Sony will be forced to either provide compensation (e.g. Playstation Store credits) or re-enable OtherOS.

Personally, I have not installed OtherOS, although I have looked at it. Although I didn't find any compelling reason to install Linux, my main reasons for not installing was mostly PITA and WAF. So although this change doesn't impact me today, it does remove a feature which was of value to me.

Although I don't agree with the decision, I can understand why Sony did it. Linux was being used to break out of the walled garden which Sony had created for OtherOS, creating the possibility OtherOS could be used for various forms of piracy. Removing OtherOS removes this path, making piracy much harder.

However, I'm sure this is only a temporary setback. The ability to run Linux has been put forth as a kind of "pressure release" for the hacker community. Since the PS3 could run Linux, there was little reason to hack the PS3 as one of the primary reasons to hack a console (e.g. Wii, Xbox 360) is to run Linux. There could also be a substantial backlash, causing a larger number of hackers to focus on the PS3.

This action also ignores the large number of legitimate PS3 Linux users who will be forced to make a decision between PS3 Linux and PSN. For the pure HPC users this probably won't have an immediate impact, but home users will probably learn very quickly that they cannot do without PSN.

From a broader perspective, this shows how little control a consumer has over anything which is dependent on the network for functionality.

Thomas Jentzsch
Apr 2 2010 7:58 AM

Quote

From a broader perspective, this shows how little control a consumer has over anything which is dependent on the network for functionality.

And it gets worse! Because everything it networked now.

The new digital video standards allow full control about the user. E.g. here in Germany, the private networks plan to prohibit skipping advertising blocks when transmitting with the new HD+ standard. Timeshift and recording will still work, but you are forced to watch the advertising too. What's next? Will they ask you control questions about the advertising to let you continue watching? :thumbsup:

I really hope this will backfire at them and nobody buys those HD+ recorders.

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STGuy1040
Apr 2 2010 7:23 PM

I don't agree with this either. I understand why Sony eliminated the OtherOS feature, but what about the people who used it for legitimate reasons? Sony is threatening PS3 gamers with perma-bans if they don’t download the firmware update. That is downright wrong.

This update also contradicts their, “It Does Everything” mantra for the PS3. It used to do everything until now. It was a game console, Blue-ray player, AND a computer for a lot of people, but the firmware update turned it into a regular game console that plays movies. Yes, they have every right to protect their intellectual properties, but you can’t make me believe that eliminating a system feature was the only way of resolving the problem.

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rpgfaker
Apr 2 2010 10:42 PM

I don't recall ever hearing of any hacker who burned a PS3 game. There must be another reason as to why they went this route. I might suspect the near future including the Move accessory and 3DTV support have something to do with this decision. I don't like it but won't complain, it's not like you had the option to install Windows OS out of the box even if it was emulatable which I would have preferred since it requires no learning curve compared to Linux.

PS3 "it only does everything...except Linux, PS2*"

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EricBall
Apr 3 2010 9:05 AM

rpgfaker, on Sat Apr 3, 2010 12:42 AM, said:

I think it was more preemptive than a response to an actual exploit usable for piracy (games or media). My understanding of the Hypervisor exploit is it required some hardware hacking and some lucky timing to glitch the PS3. Unlike some of the Wii exploits which did not require any hardware modifications.

And you are correct that the PS3 slim does less than the original PS3, i.e. PS2, SACD, and OtherOS support. (Although the slim does have HD audio bitstreaming.) But this is a retroactive removal.

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roberto
Apr 25 2010 4:51 AM

> PS3 "it only does everything...except Linux, PS2*"

Does the PS3 slim still play (some?) PS2 games through software emulation or there's no emulation at all now?
Sorry for the dumb question! :thumbsup:

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EricBall
Apr 26 2010 11:02 AM

roberto, on Sun Apr 25, 2010 6:51 AM, said:

Does the PS3 slim still play (some?) PS2 games through software emulation or there's no emulation at all now?

Only the 1st generation (hardware) and 2nd generation (software) had PS2 abilities. The 3rd generation fat & slim have no PS2 abilities. But considering the retail price of a PS2 is less than $100, that's probably the way to go for PS2 games.

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EricBall
Apr 29 2010 1:08 PM

As predicted a class action suit has been filed.

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EricBall
Jun 17 2010 2:26 PM

For those interested the best way to follow this lawsuit seems to be via the docket. It looks like July 15th will be the very important step of determining which law firm will represent the defendants as multiple lawsuits were filed. For those who have read Grisham's "The King of Torts" this makes sense as the lead law firm stands to make the most money from the settlement.

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EricBall
Aug 10 2010 12:54 PM

I found a more current docket. It looks like to get more current you'd need a PACER account.

The top three law firms were given joint custody of the case. They've also filed an Amended Complaint which makes a pretty good case against Sony. Interestingly enough, Sony has yet to respond to the complaint - although they were granted an extension to July 29, 2010. The Amended Complaint was filed July 30th so either something has delayed the posting, they were granted an automatic extension by the Amended Complaint, or they decided not to respond.

The next scheduled item appears to be a case management conference on Sept 2.

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EricBall
Sep 1 2010 5:03 AM

It appears Sony has been granted an extension of September 10th to respond. In related news, an OtherOS case in Australia has been dismissed with no clear winner. No damaged awarded, both sides must cover own costs. It sounds like the judge felt the EULA gave Sony the right to make changes, including removing OtherOS.