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[BocoDragon]

I'm sure Sony can sell large clients like the US Army special PS3s if they want them with OtherOS. I bet they might even give them a solution that allows them to access the full PS3 under OtherOS.

Think about it... these machines are sold at a loss, to be made up for in software sales. Sony doesn't WANT anyone using PS3s for PC work. They want to sell games and blu-rays, not hardware.

 

[evlcookie]

I believe this was mentioned at another site a month + ago, someone from the yellow dog teamed mentioned sony would remove linux support in an upcoming firmware update.

Guess it's all true. What a shame.

 

[edgefusion]

GAF reaction to Linux Removal:

Me: :lol

Wow you're sooooo cool, can I touch you?

Pretty shitty that all the update does is remove a feature and nothing else. First update that actually decreases the number of things a piece of hardware can do?

 

[Y2Kev]

Wow you're sooooo cool, can I touch you?

Pretty shitty that all the update does is remove a feature and nothing else. First update that actually decreases the number of things a piece of hardware can do?

Nintendo yanked mp3 support from the Wii last year. It's kinda dumb.

 

[Shao Kahn Brewing a Stew]

So they set up a website asking people what new features they want in firmware updates as a distraction to remove features that have been around since launch?

I guess this is Sony officially admitting that OtherOS was a bad idea in the first place.

To be frankly honest, the reason I think they did it was to prevent the extra money they pay up when calling PS3 a "gaming console". Forcing Linux compatibility prevents Sony from paying the premium in UK cause they can sell it as "Computer".

That said, I POSITIVELY HOPE this yanks up space for RAM/Cell. Not that I was using OtherOS (though I was THIS close to using it, but I realized im not Linux-friendly) but if removing a feature leaves space for addition of other important gaming-related features then yes, go for it Sony!

 

[Fersis]

Wow you're sooooo cool, can I touch you?

Pretty shitty that all the update does is remove a feature and nothing else. First update that actually decreases the number of things a piece of hardware can do?

Yes it is.
But if its needed to prevent piracy its ok to me.

 

[TTP]

Wow you're sooooo cool, can I touch you?

Pretty shitty that all the update does is remove a feature and nothing else. First update that actually decreases the number of things a piece of hardware can do?

Apparently there are new functions introduced by this update. That blog post just covers the removal bit.

* Use of new features and improvements that are available on PS3 system software 3.21 or later

 

[Metalmurphy]

Totally.

They're removing the feature to avoid piracy. It sucks but is the right thing to do.

Not really. They're removing something because they're worried it might lead to piracy. There's is no evidence that it's going that way any time soon. And yes, I'm aware of Geohot.

 

[h3ro]

See what you went and did, GAF?

It was YOU that wanted the clock fixed.

This is all YOUR FAULT.

 

[V_Ben]

Apparently there are new functions introduced by this update. That blog post just covers the removal bit.

yeah, the full change list will be up when the update goes live. this is so that people can get all the hissy fit / rage out of their system early.

 

[BocoDragon]

To be frankly honest, the reason I think they did it was to prevent the extra money they pay up when calling PS3 a "gaming console". Forcing Linux compatibility prevents Sony from paying the premium in UK cause they can sell it as "Computer".

This exactly.

No one at Sony really cared about the added value to the consumer with "Other OS"... not even Krazy Ken. It was all a tax dodge to brand it as a computer (For the EU I believe?)

 

[Cep]

What can you do with OtherOS on PS3? I thought it was gimpo'd.

It is, and I never really found a use for the feature as it takes the fun of installing linux if the hardware is already built to accept it.

It is entirely within Sony's 'right' to remove the feature and It may actually be sound business as this way they can kill a potential vector.

With that said, I really dislike the attitude of some of the posters here. OF COURSE the people that use it are going to be upset, no matter how small a group they are, the device was sold to them with as promised feature (and no, saying that they do not have to update us not adequate), and that is being taken away from them.

As for those that did not use it. Their reaction also makes sense. Even if it is not a feature they use, no one likes to be told that their ps3 now does less. Although I wish they would stop with the hyperbole.

This exactly.

No one at Sony really cared about the added value to the consumer with "Other OS"... not even Krazy Ken. It was all a tax dodge to brand it as a computer (For the EU I believe?)

This X1000. They calculated that the money they would make from putting in linux would offset the chance that it may become an issue. Now they have decided that the money is not worth the potential risk.

 

[Dead Prince]

Apparently there are new functions introduced by this update. That blog post just covers the removal bit.

cross game voice chat.

 

[TTP]

cross game voice chat.

Believe.

 

[Fersis]

Not really. They're removing something because they're worried it might lead to piracy. There's is no evidence that it's going that way any time soon. And yes, I'm aware of Geohot.

Do you work at Sony's R&D ?
I think that they're aware of the issue.

Anyway carry on.

 

[JaseC]

cross game voice chat.

OtherOS support.

 

[BocoDragon]

As for those that did not use it. Their reaction also makes sense. Even if it is not a feature they use, no one likes to be told that their ps3 now does less. Although I wish they would stop with the hyperbole.

I certainly never used Install Other OS.. but I always assumed that some day there would be something neat you could burn to a disc and run on that thing... not just a linux distro but some sort of awesome.... thing (I dunno :lol) Won't happen now.

 

[gcubed]

what was the actual use of Linux on the PS3? serious question... without access to a graphics card, isnt it basically just a novelty?

 

[V_Ben]

edit - formatting error in guy i quoted. my bad

 

[Draft]

If this is April Fools, it's pretty funny.

If it's real, but dropping on April 1st anyway, that's still pretty funny.

 

[Massa]

It used to do everything.

 

[templeusox]

This X1000. They calculated that the money they would make from putting in linux would offset the chance that it may become an issue. Now they have decided that the money is not worth the potential risk.

That's an easy calculation to make since they don't produce that SKU anymore.

 

[Shao Kahn Brewing a Stew]

The only bad news I can think of is that Military announcing that they are no longer using PS3 for they forsee a cyberterrorist attacks since Sony themselves admit it being a gateway to hacking.

That'll be bad press for Sony.

 

[Metalmurphy]

Do you work at Sony's R&D ?
I think that they're aware of the issue.

Anyway carry on.

Do you work at Sony's R&D ?

 

[Erebus]

To be honest, I never ever used this feature on my PS3 and I don't plan to. On the other hand, it surely sucks for people that have Linux installed on their console.

 

[BocoDragon]

edit - formatting error in guy i quoted. my bad

he quoted me....?

edit: ok.

 

[DidntKnowJack]

Can't say I care too much one way or the other. I'd never have used Linux on my PS3 anyway.

 

[Zapages]

what was the actual use of Linux on the PS3? serious question... without access to a graphics card, isnt it basically just a novelty?

watching tv with limited flash compatibility, browsing text based websites from the comfort of a couch. It was great for my parents.

 

[Massa]

Do you work at Sony's R&D ?
I think that they're aware of the issue.

Anyway carry on.

Do you work at Sony?

I bought a PS3 to do "everything"... including running Linux as advertised. If you're ok with being screwed out of something you paid for the fear that someone might be able to run unauthorized code on a system that isn't even sold anymore then that's... fine for you. Personally I'm uncomfortable even with updates that break "minor" features like running Uncharted without freezing issues, but this is much worse.

Anyway, is it weird that they're posting this on a Sunday? And that the SonyPlaystation twitter didn't post it as well?

 

[gcubed]

you know the new features arent going to be anything special, they would try to offset the internet rage by saying they can actually do x with it now.

 

[Fersis]

Do you work at Sony's R&D ?

Do you work at Sony?

I bought a PS3 to do "everything"... including running Linux as advertised. If you're ok with being screwed out of something you paid for the fear that someone might be able to run unauthorized code on a system that isn't even sold anymore then that's... fine for you.

Anyway, is it weird that they're posting this on a Sunday? And that the SonyPlaystation twitter didn't post it as well?

Thats what im talkin' about.
Its all speculation!

you know the new features arent going to be anything special, they would try to offset the internet rage by saying they can actually do x with it now.

It would be silly to remove a feature without adding a new one.

 

[Brobzoid]

Yes it is.
But if its needed to prevent piracy its ok to me.

That's a pretty fucking weak attitude. It's not ok to remove features that consumers have paid for because they might abuse them in the future.
Not acceptable.

 

[H_Prestige]

Does anyone on gaf actually use OtherOS functions apart from messing about to see linux running then never touching it again?

This topic will definitely be useful in figuring that out.

 

[Metalmurphy]

Thats what im talkin' about.
Its all speculation!

OtherOS causing piracy is speculating...
OtherOS not causing piracy is pretty much a fact right now.

 

[Kerrinck]

At least they give us the choice of keeping linux and not being able to get online anymore

 

[Dead Prince]

At least they give us the choice of keeping linux and not being able to get online anymore

it'll become mandatory like their earlier update.

 

[Valkyr Junkie]

No, because 1) those companies just need the cheap computing powers, not the blu-ray and game function and 2) Sony loses money on each PS3 and those companies were purchasing no software or peripherals.

Why are you telling me "no" when you are just explaining exactly what I originally said?

it'll become mandatory like their earlier update.

No update is mandatory if you never take the console online.

 

[Tom Penny]

That sucks for .001 percent you. Suck it biiatches !!!

 

[Fersis]

OtherOS causing piracy is speculating...
OtherOS not causing piracy is pretty much a fact right now.

Thats speculating too!

Sony R&D may know how to 'break' the PS3 security. <-Thats speculation too !!

That's a pretty fucking weak attitude. It's not ok to remove features that consumers have paid for because they might abuse them in the future.
Not acceptable.

So whats the 'strong' attitude then?

 

[V_Ben]

http://blog.eu.playstation.com/2010/03/29/ps3-firmware-3-21-coming-april-1st/

On EU Blog now too.

No, this is not an April fools joke. PS3 Firmware 3.21 will be available this Thursday.

head of PR for SCEE has a sense of humor :lol

 

[templeusox]

Why are you telling me "no" when you are just explaining exactly what I originally said?

Your conclusion was that Sony will lose a ton of money and I responded "No" and presented my reasons.

 

[DoomGyver]

So they set up a website asking people what new features they want in firmware updates as a distraction to remove features that have been around since launch?

I guess this is Sony officially admitting that OtherOS was a bad idea in the first place.

Pretty much, they never should have spent dev time on something so useless. You want linux? Buy a cheap PC and get your linux fix.

 

[Valkyr Junkie]

Your conclusion was that Sony will lose a ton of money and I responded "No" and presented my reasons.

I was saying that Sony loses money when a company buys a console to only have it crunch numbers and never uses it in a way that earns Sony software/accessory royalties. It wasn't 100% grammatically clear, but whatev.

[/B]
Pretty much, they never should have spent dev time on something so useless. You want linux? Buy a cheap PC and get your linux fix.

Sony wanted to have the PS2 classified as a computer in the EU for the tax benefit, but they couldn't get that done. They obviously spent a lot more effort trying to do the same with the PS3 (Linux plus a web browser, yo) but that didn't work out either.

 

[Fersis]

By the way i would totally rage if they take out the browser.
As unstable as it is, i use it a lot to post in GAF.
^__^

 

[ghst]

oh yeah, unghh, keep telling me you like it, bitch.

 

[TTP]

I bought a PS3 to do "everything"...

We get that. But you shouldn't judge actions without considering the motivations behind them. It's not like they are removing OtherOS just to piss you off. I understand it sucks, but what would you want them to do? Let piracy spread on the system?

 

[Metalmurphy]

Thats speculating too!

Sony R&D may know how to 'break' the PS3 security. <-Thats speculation too !!


So whats the 'strong' attitude then?

Is OtherOS causing people to pirate games? No. What's speculative about that?

Can it cause people to pirate games in the future? Maybe, but in NO way they should remove advertised features because they are afraid it MIGHT happen. I mean, that's ridiculous...

We get that. But you shouldn't judge actions without considering the motivations behind them. It's not like they are removing OtherOS just to piss you off. I understand it sucks, but what would you want them to do? Let piracy spread on the system?

Or let some solid evidence show up that's actually happening before screwing us over. And even if it is, I'm pretty sure all pirates/future will simply NOT update the system... What is Sony gonna do then?

 

[Mr_Appleby]

That said, I POSITIVELY HOPE this yanks up space for RAM/Cell. Not that I was using OtherOS (though I was THIS close to using it, but I realized im not Linux-friendly) but if removing a feature leaves space for addition of other important gaming-related features then yes, go for it Sony!

it won't free up anything (except hdd space _IF_ you have it installed), you don't really think that linux uses ram & processor when it's not running?

anyway, i used it for a while to run C64/Amiga emulators (legit even) but the novelty wore off pretty quickly. the only thing that really bugs me about this is i'm going to have to back up my hdd and reformat to get the 10~12 gig back that was the OtherOS partition.

 

[Brobzoid]

So whats the 'strong' attitude then?

Consumer's rights. I don't know how those Americas you have over there work, but in the socialist haven I reside I would be legally in the clear hacking my PS3 to get access to the OS options when they are patched out. I bought it = I own it. End of story.

 

[CartridgeBlower]

As much as I love my PS3, you could form a strong argument that it has been a TOTAL disaster this generation for Sony.

Crap like this is just a slap in the face of diehard fans. Seems like they've been doing this continuously as of late.

I have to believe that if the Move is a failure, someone over there is going to have to fall on their sword. Almost surprised it hasn't happened already...