News PS3 update removes Linux support

^And with out them elaborating on "security" we can only guess.

 

At a guess I'd say it was those people trying to hack the hypervisor to get access to RSX...

 

anyone notice date of release and firmware numbering?

 

True, the fat PS3's have already been paid for, but Sony makes a loss on every PS3 unit sold which it "converts" to a profit through software sales. Clustered PS3 = no software sales = unconvertable loss for Sony, albeit a fairly minor one overall given the small proportion of PS3s purchased for use in clusters.

While the original intention of the move was most likely to further Sony's attempts to remain in control of every aspect of the PS3, it's probably useless to point out that they're locking the barn after the horse has bolted, and the only real effect will now be to alienate some other users and possibly lead some academics to break their clusters if they update without knowing what'll happen.

Did I mention I'm posting this in bed while recovering from a migraine? That might explain why I'm not making too much sense right now. I'm trying to make a point, I think, but the little b*st*rd just won't stay still.

 

Oh yeah, that was the thing I was gonna say. Sony makes a loss on every PS3 sold for use in a cluster, so no more Linux = no more unconvertable losses. The economic decision trumps the scientific goodwill in the Sony boardroom, yet another "good" reason to ditch linux support.

 

This won't be an issue for all those PS3 farm used by scientists and the like. Those are never updated anyway and this will only be a problem for PS3s used for both games and other stuff.

 

Sounds like someone got close enough to unlocking the GPU to me.

 

Man, that was they bussiness idea, they sold the hardware in loss focusing in a POSSIBLE future profit. If they didn't get it they cannot go to your home and take your PS3 back by saying, sory, it was too cheap (GTFO) and steal stuff you paid for. Nevertheless I don't do consoles and think it is an actual April Foos prank.

 

Have to wonder why they allowed installation of another OS in the first instance. Surely it was clearly going to entice some people to buy the (subsidised) hardware with no intention of ever purchasing the software whose sales support the subsidisation of hardware???

 

Thanks guys and gals.

I had no idea what the fuss was about but now I do.

 

It wouldnt update unless Private Ryan decided to pop in the latest CoD game for a bit of last minute practice before his next tour.

Even if it did, I'm sure Sony would give them some custom fw, or they'd do their own.

Glad I wasn't the only one. Hefty coincidence?

 

As far as I remember it was to make it count as a PC, so it could be put in a cheaper import tax bracket. So money reasons for giving it the ability, money reasons for taking it away.

 

Will they add this to the feature list on the box:
Play hundreds of games: x
Multiplayer Support:X
Incompatible with linux: X
Sorundsound: X
HDMI: X
WIFI: X
HDD: X

 

Actually it was Saddam who tried to pick up a load of Playstations a few years ago but was banned from doing so as they could have made a really crappy toaster or something.

 

Good. Linux sucks anyway, nobody hardly uses it on the system and the system will be more secure.

 

I'm wondering if anyone who bought it at least partially for its compatibility with Linux could sue. Afterall, Sony are deliberately sabotaging a product, reducing it's capabilities post-sale. There's got to be something in the Sale of Goods act about that...

 

I really wouldn't say stuff like that on internet forums, Mr Warrior. You're risking geek-rage, and the effects of geek-rage in cyberspace are several million orders of magnitude larger than in RL.

 

3.15 up to 3.21? Bit of a jump?!

 

"Geek-rage" ?
What are the geeks going to do? Push Caps Lock and "yell" at Mr Warrior?

 

I would still go with the April 1st joke. It isn't uncommon to announce a joke to provoke publicity ahead of time. WoW did it with their Panda Express order system in-game a couple years back. As to the groups of peeps using the systems in a farm, well, I doubt seriously that they would be affected as who drops the cash for 100+ systems, and then allows people to put games in them?