Installing Linux on PS3

Installing Linux on your PlayStation 3 allows for your already first-rate gaming console and Blu-ray player to be an additional home computer. You can surf the web with a feature-rich browser like FireFox, create documents and spreadsheets using open source applications such as OpenOffice, communicate with friends and family using instant messaging applications, and it allows for a fully featured desktop environment just like a regular home computer will offer.

Remember, doing this will not take away from your PlayStation 3's native operating system. It will still work as a gaming console but installing Linux to its hard drive will partition the console's hard drive so that both can live and work together without corrupting the other's capabilities.

If you are ready to take the plunge and make your PlayStation 3 into a more robust and feature-rich console, the first thing you should do before doing anything else is back up your files. Repeat, BACK UP YOUR FILES.

This cannot be said enough. Though installing Linux on your PS3 will not erase its operating system, it will erase any saved games. If you do not want to lose them, back up your data.

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. 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.

So the question then becomes, is it worth installing Linux? Aside from the uber nerd factor of having Linux on your PS3, you can browse the Internet, create text documents or spreadsheets using open source software like OpenOffice, use instant messaging clients to keep in touch with friends and family, and the cool thing is that once you install Linux and you end up being that uncomfortable with it, you can actually run Windows on your PS3 through what's called an "emulator."

There are many distributions of Linux out there but Sony actually recommends Fixstar Solutions (formerly Terra Soft Solutions) as the Linux distribution of choice. However, other distributions can work with your PS3. Ubuntu, Gentoo, Debian, OpenSUSE, and Fedora all work. Though if you are first starting out, Yellow Dog Linux is the one you should install before trying the other distributions.

Gaming consoles are generally designed so that no third party system can run on them without some serious hacking skills. Most of the time, doing this is illegal and will certainly void the manufacturer's warranty. However, your PlayStation 3 allows for this and Sony condones it.

Your PlayStation 3 uses the IBM-designed Cell microprocessor as its CPU. With this microprocessor, your PS3 is capable of surfing the Internet, creating text files and spreadsheets with free applications such as OpenOffice, and other features you find on any regular home desktop computer. For anyone wanting to personalize your system, installing Linux is the way to go.

There are many free documents out there that will show anyone how to install Linux on your PlayStation 3 console. But if you are hesitant about doing this yourself or just do not want to take the time to do it but want to take advantage of a Linux-installed PS3, you can buy a guide for around $40 that will do it all for you.

Whatever you decide, installing Linux on your PS3 is a good idea if you want to completely customize your gaming console and have another fully functioning home desktop computer. Doing this does not take away your PS3's native gaming capabilities whatsoever. Remember, Sony designed the PS3 to be capable of running Linux so do not let this be the reason why you do not want to install it. Above all else, have fun with it! That is pretty much the point of having this first-rate gaming system.