Linux Community Magazine

There is no doubt you have already realized that your PS3 is one of the best gaming consoles on the market today. However, it has the potential to be more than a gaming console. It can be turned into a very capable, fully functioning home computer. All you have to do is install a Linux distribution. Doing so is not has difficult as it sounds and it is perfectly legal and it will not void your warranty.

Installing Linux on your PS3 will create two partitions on your PS3's hard drive. Do not worry about this as it is perfectly normal and it is the only way to do it. You also should not worry about installing Linux on your PS3 negatively effecting your PS3's native gaming capabilities because it will not. You should realize that when Sony developed your PS3, Sony intended for you to be able to turn the gaming console into a desktop computer by installing Linux. You read that right. Sony even released a PS2 Linux kit back in 2002.

Once you install Linux on your PS3, there will be two operating systems on your gaming console: the native GameOS and the Linux OS. The native operating system allows you to play all the games by creating a channel of communication between you and the system's hardware. So when you are playing a game, scrolling through the cross menu bar (XMB), listening to music or watching movies, the GameOS allows for this to happen. Linux will run on top of the GameOS which will then provide the link between Linux and the PS3 hardware.

You do not have to know the technical details of how installing Linux on your PS3 will effect or will not effect your gaming console, but it is a good idea to know that the GameOS is the gateway as it provides you access to Linux and creates a sense of continuity. This means that you can enjoy a high quality desktop environment with your Linux OS.

Getting the most out of your PlayStation 3 is possible and it does not have to take a computer programmer to do it. It is not that complex and you will have aa powerful multimedia entertainment center. Visit geekedout.tumblr.com for more information.