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Linux on the PS3
I was doing some research on Linux in general today when I ran across some one saying that ps3 would be coming with Linux pre-installed by default - I turns out that this might indeed be true. This is very exciting news I felt compelled to share this with everyone!
Main article: Cross Media Bar
The PlayStation 3 version of the Cross Media Bar demonstrated at E3 2006 (video) included options for different user profiles, the ability to explore photos, play music and movies from the hard drive, compatibility for a USB Keyboard and Mouse, a full Internet browser and a Friends menu. In a separate demo Sony presented the "Marketplace" where users can buy and download music. Linux will be pre-installed on the PS3 hard drive. Currently it is unknown if Linux will be the operating system used to run everything, including the Cross Media Bar, or if the system will operate as a dual boot environment, where Linux would be loaded from the Cross Media Bar menu. Sony has also worked with Stanford University to bring the Folding@home project to the PS3[34]. When downloaded, the program will run when the system is idle.
This would indeed be positive news. I'm interested to see how they'll handle the GPL requirement of offering the relevant source code.
Honestly, I can't see the system using Linux for all of its functions. If the player has any DVD (HD or otherwise) playing abilities, it would actually be a breach of their licensing agreements with the DVD Consortium to allow customer's access to the player's source code, as doing so would let customer's change the player's copy protections schemes (ie decryption of DVD discs).
There was a quote on Wikipedia, That implies that source would be availible, see below.
Because we have plans for having Linux on board [the PS3], we also recognize Linux programming activities… Other than game studios tied to official developer licenses, we'd like to see various individuals participate in content creation for the PS3.
PlayStation 3
——Izumi Kawanishi on the presence of the Linux in the PS3
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