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Well what all can Linux do? how much is it? and Can anyone install it? I would just ditch buying a new computer If I can do everything on my Ps3, Simple stuff like Surfing,Messenger, and email. Bluetooth Keyboard would be nice on my 42 inch Plasma. Also is it fast on the ps3? or would I experience a mediocre PC experience on it.First and foremost, Linux is free. You will have to backup all of your data before you install Linux however, because you will have to reformat your drive to install it. It will take up a 10GB partition on your drive; I believe the installation is about 4.2 GB. It takes about an hour or so. Yellow Dog Linux currently only supports an internet connection through a hard wire. Drivers to unlock the Wi-fi abilities of the PS3 have yet to be released. They are promised within the year. The real question lies in whether or not Sony will permit Yellow Dog Linux users access to the RSX. IF they were to allow users access to the RSX, I think you see a real spike in legitimate homebrew software. Sony, IBM, and Toshiba want people to learn how to use the Cell architecture that they created. This microprocessor is unlike any EVER released and the potential for it is VERY high once you learn its steep learning curve. That's why a lot of PS3 games don't look as sharp as their Xbox 360 counterparts. Sorry for getting off topic. The PS3 is just so loaded with so much good stuff...Back to Linux. You can browse the web with Firefox. You can check your e-mail with Thunderbird. Chat with friends with Gaim. Type documents, create spreadsheets, and presentations with Open Office. Yes, it's kind of like a PC. Except, I don't think you can print stuff out with it. At least not yet I think. I use a wireless keyboard and mouse combo from my couch. Yellow Dog Linux looks surprisingly good on an HDTV. I hear it looks like crap on a SDTV. .. I don't think that I consider the performance of Yellow Dog Linux to be anything outstanding on the PS3. Would I call it slow? No, because everything works fine. But it somehow feels like it's dragging despite being powered by the vaunted Cell Processor. I think the lack of speed is due to the fact that the OS only has access to the 256MB of RAM for the Cell. The other 256MB on the RSX are NOT open to the user at this point in time. This is a first generation product. It is NOT polished in any way or form. It will NOT replace your PC (or better yet, Mac). But it is VERY cool to be able to use Mozilla Firefox to browse the web and talk with your friends on AIM from your PS3. I'm sorry, but my Xbox 360 doesn't do that. The good news is that this Yellow Dog Linux is open source and officially sponsored by Sony. There will be future updates to the OS. I think NOW IS A GOOD TIME TO INSTALL LINUX ON YOUR PS3. I say this because it is better to backup your data and format now than to do it later. I say this because Linux is Open Source. I believe Open Source is the future. If more people use YDL and learn to use Linux in general (it is more complex than Windows), then more can be done with it. Even casual users' opinions on what should be added to the OS matter.
fred87nc
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