Software Review: Yellow Dog Linux 5 for PlayStation 3
Published February 18, 2007
There are some issues to be aware of, however. First of all, this is not Mac OS or Windows, this is Linux. Although Yellow Dog 5 is polished, it is still Linux.
There is a small problem with yum (software update module) in the latest ISO, which requires you to get your hands dirty in code to fix it. But if you are going to tinker in Linux, this should come as no surprise. The biggest let down is the nonexistent support for the PS3's built in Wi-Fi. In order to get online while booted into Yellow Dog Linux, you must use an Ethernet connection.
"Waiting for a Sony response." is the official word on Wi-Fi support in Yellow Dog 5, according to Kai Staats, Terra Soft CEO. Even more discouraging is reading about a three to six month estimate on the ydl.net forum.
The only solution right now for Wi-Fi is to use a wireless game adapter, such as the one by Linksys. This works just fine, unless you have an Apple Airport Express - which has no way of configuring the wireless game adapter.
That is not a pretty solution, not for a $600 game console/computer/Blu-ray player/whatever. Hopefully Sony and Terra Soft can get a Wi-Fi fix out shortly, as it is the only thing really holding Yellow Dog Linux 5 on the PS3 back.
Setup and install went as smooth as I have ever seen a Linux install go. I have Yellow Dog Linux 4 on my PowerBook, and even that was a chore in comparison to v. 5 on the PS3.
See also:
- Yellow Dog Linux 5 on PlayStation 3: Installation and Setup (forthcoming)
- Console Review: PlayStation 3
- PS3 Reviews: Exclusive Launch Games
- PS3 Reviews: Cross-platform Launch Games
Ken Edwards is the Gaming Editor at Blogcritics, and calls Breaking Windows home. Ken works part time for Student Publications at BGSU as the Webmaster and System Administrator. He is also a freelance web developer.
- Software Review: Yellow Dog Linux 5 for PlayStation 3
- Published: February 18, 2007
- Type: Review
- Section: Gaming
- Filed Under: Gaming: PlayStation 3, Sci/Tech: Software
- Writer: Ken Edwards
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Comments on this articleComments
A wireless mouse/keyboard with a USB connector works fine.
One major limitation of the PS3 linux is lack of accelerated graphics. As a result, my attempt to get full screen .avi file playback on my HDTV was disappointing.
Sadly none of the distros can access RSX. So no accelerated graphics. It looks like Sony has given Terra Soft the most access to the hardware, though.
I have tried to install Yellow dog on my ps3 and it gave me a bunch of errors then went blank.
could this be my keyboard and mouse?
I have a Rocketfish bluetooth kyb/mse combo wich works fine in the ps3 os. I didn't write down the errors ( I goofed ) and I'm weary of trying again without more info.
PS I don't have a HD screen only a cheap crt tv and will have to install the fix.
denis dun worry man, i just read sum forum. and this is wat u need to do. for localhost login u type root. then the password u typed in when installin ydl. then u type Xautoconfig. after that startx n have fun with ydl!
I got a whole bunch of errors on the yum update that I read about but has anyone figured out how to add the plug in's for the dvd and blueray to work yet?
I tried to install Gentoo and I failed cuz it didnt install anything and I just had to boot it to the ps3 system again!//
PS If u dont know how to get back to ur old OS just write boot-game-os in the terminal or install thingy or W/E
denis dun worry man, i just read sum forum. and this is wat u need to do. for localhost login u type root. then the password u typed in when installin ydl. then u type Xautoconfig. after that startx n have fun with ydl!
did it but screen just went blank
hmmm mine to
any 1 found an answer to this problem yet
you need a TV with a DVI port to connect to. Mentions it on the YD site
i got an HDMI port, dosent it work with that one??
denis...if you follow the yd instructions, you will see that it requires HDMI or component cables to connect to. It does not support standard connections because the resolution is too low. you can try to install it via "installtext" to run in low resolution text mode.
Someone tell me why the %@$& no one seems to want to tell those of us who AREN'T computer savants how to do this? I mean seriously the only tutorials that tell you how to do it are full of some pretty saver holes, and are as hard to find as a needle in a Hay Planet.
What are you reading? The instructions are quite simple, especially with the new Yellow Dog Linux 6 installer DVD.
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Not too fussed about the wifi as my current console sits right next to my cable modem, but how about using the rest of the functionality? Is there some sort of bluetooth keyboard available, and will it be any better than the dreadful web TV version supplied by NTL a few years back?