Question about using Linux on the PS3

[markw]

I've been interested in trying out Linux for quite some time and may do that on one of my Windows PC's but now that I've heard the PS3 can run it I'm interested in doing that. I know Logitech makes a couple keyboards for the PS3 so I may get one of those. I just have several questions.
Logitech has a wired keyboard and I can get a wired mouse but would the wireless keyboard/trackpad combo work?
When I install Linux can I have the PS3 still boot up straight into the startup screen and just choose Linux when I want to? I use the PS3 a lot as a dvd/blu-ray player and of course for games. I don't want installing Linux in any way to hurt that.
Which route should I go? I've heard many distributions run on it but seems Yellow dog is the closest to an 'official' release
Is Sony going to come out with their own distribution eventually?

Thanks for any help/advice.

[Nismobeach]

Originally Posted by markw

I've been interested in trying out Linux for quite some time and may do that on one of my Windows PC's but now that I've heard the PS3 can run it I'm interested in doing that. I know Logitech makes a couple keyboards for the PS3 so I may get one of those. I just have several questions.
Logitech has a wired keyboard and I can get a wired mouse but would the wireless keyboard/trackpad combo work?

Your best bet is the use a USB keyboard or mouse as Bluetooth keyboards and mice are not fully supported in all PS3 Linux distributions. ATM I'm running the (USB) Logitech Cordless Desktop ES 110 on my PS3. It's inexpensive, looks nice, and works great.

Originally Posted by markw

When I install Linux can I have the PS3 still boot up straight into the startup screen and just choose Linux when I want to? I use the PS3 a lot as a dvd/blu-ray player and of course for games. I don't want installing Linux in any way to hurt that.

Absolutely. Once you install Linux you can still have the PS3 boot up like it always did and only access Linux when you want to from a setting in the XMB. Or if you choose you can have the PS3 always start in Linux and then launch the XMB. After doing the latter the PS3 will always revert back to booting from the XMB until you select Linux again.

Sony also designed the PS3 so that a Linux installation can never harm the factory Sony XMB configuration. This make the PS3 an excellent platform for learning Linux as you can totally screw up a Linux configuration and still revert back to the Sony XMB by holding down the power button for 5 seconds.

Originally Posted by markw

Which route should I go? I've heard many distributions run on it but seems Yellow dog is the closest to an 'official' release
Is Sony going to come out with their own distribution eventually?

Yellow Dog Linux is the distro that is sponsored by Sony, and as such is a bit more polished when it comes to being optimized for the Cell. Furthermore it also uses the anaconda GUI installer so installation is a breeze.

However since they are endorsed by Sony the distro isn't that complete with regards to programs that might step on any intellectual property toes like CD/DVD ripping, emulators, or media players. Furthermore YDL is based on Redhat/Fedora and as such tends to suffers from dependency Hell when one goes to install applications thanks to it using a RPM based package management system.

This is why I switched to Gentoo Linux as it is far easier to install applications via Portage (even though it is a PAIN to install itself).

IMO your best bet would be to install Ubuntu as it seems to strike a balance between ease of installation as well as program installation.

For more assistance I recommend checking out the PS3 Linux wiki which can be found here.

[markw]

I heard the PS3 has only 512 megs of memory though, is that true? if so, does the small amount of memory create any problems with running Linux?

[Nismobeach]

Originally Posted by markw

I heard the PS3 has only 512 megs of memory though, is that true? if so, does the small amount of memory create any problems with running Linux?

Linux only has access to the PS3's main memory (the 256MB XDR RAM). Overall everything works pretty good. IMO overtime you should see even more improvements as Linux is further optimized for the Cell.

IMO the only think that sucks is that Sony has restricted access to the PS3's RSX graphics card so that pretty much rules out running 3D desktops like Beryl.

[HDViewer]

Originally Posted by Nismobeach

Linux only has access to the PS3's main memory (the 256MB XDR RAM). Overall everything works pretty good. IMO overtime you should see even more improvements as Linux is further optimized for the Cell.

IMO the only think that sucks is that Sony has restricted access to the PS3's RSX graphics card so that pretty much rules out running 3D desktops like Beryl.

I've been interested in this subject too. I am looking at OpenGL dev environments and I'm a little discouraged that Sony won't open up the RSX to developers. Not having any hands on experience, doesn't the PS3 dev kit have a propietary API that is based on OpenGL? Then would it be possible to run/develop using a flavor of OpenGL with Linux but I think I answered my own question.

I'm more interested in 2D that 3D anyhow but I imagine you can accomplish a simple 3D mesh with Linux?

Anyone use Fedora Core on the PS3 yet?