New Firmware removes alternate OS support - Does anyone care?

Sony have announced their new patch is going to remove the support for OS' like Linux on the PS3 in order to combat potential privacy. What it' will basically do is just remove the "install other OS" option.

I was wondering, does anyone care? I personally have no need to install an alternate OS on my PS3 anymore and I wondered how many people did it. Might not be worth them maintaining functionality like that if it's not used.

EDIT2 : Here's the correct link to the Sony article http://blog.us.playstation.com/2010/03/28/ps3-firmware-v3-21-update/

No I couldn't care less.

The "firmware update" is due to release April 1st so there's a good chance it's an April Fool's joke.abdelmessih101

The "firmware update" is due to release April 1st so there's a good chance it's an April Fool's joke.abdelmessih101

(This is "not an April fools joke," as the PlayStation Europe blog clarifies.)

I don't use it anymore, and hardly used it when I had it, (I install Fedora 8 on an 80gb that was later stolen) but it was definitely a cool option to have. I don't think Sony should be taking it away just because of the security hole, because it really turned your PS3 into a PC, and thats a reason that a lot people bought it for.

Also:

Consumers and organizations that currently use the "Other OS" feature can choose not to upgrade their PS3 systems, although the following features will no longer be available;

• Ability to sign in to PlayStation Network and use network features that require signing in to PlayStation Network, such as online features of PS3 games and chat
• Playback of PS3 software titles or Blu-ray Disc videos that require PS3 system software version 3.21 or later
• Playback of copyright-protected videos that are stored on a media server (when DTCP-IP is enabled under Settings)
• Use of new features and improvements that are available on PS3 system software 3.21 or later

The "firmware update" is due to release April 1st so there's a good chance it's an April Fool's joke.abdelmessih101

I was never going to use it anyways but i really want to punch that GeoHot in the face right now.

[QUOTE="abdelmessih101"]The "firmware update" is due to release April 1st so there's a good chance it's an April Fool's joke.shani_boy101

I was never going to use it anyways but i really want to punch that GeoHot in the face right now.

As do many

Nope. It's not really a "good" thing they're doing it, but the majority of the PS3 owners will never even consider installing another OS to their system so it's not like it matters to them. However, for the people that do have another OS installed and frequently use it, I can imagine they want to smack Sony upside the head for removing support for alternate OS'es.

No I couldn't care less.

Megaman5364

There are tons of people who aren't posting in these topics who do care and are extremely angry.

They don't because discussing about why they have Linux on their PS3s will result in a suspension or ban form the mods.

There are tons of people who aren't posting in these topics who do care and are extremely angry.

They don't because discussing about why they have Linux on their PS3s will result in a suspension or ban form the mods.

Rikusaki

[QUOTE="Rikusaki"]

There are tons of people who aren't posting in these topics who do care and are extremely angry.

They don't because discussing about why they have Linux on their PS3s will result in a suspension or ban form the mods.

chaotzu

It's all SNES and Genesis games.... I shouldn't discuss this any further. I might get into trouble...

Thats kind of like saying "buy the PS3, you can play games on it" then removing the ability to play games. I dont use the other OS feature, nor does my new PS3 Slim support it, but Sony is making a **** move by doing this. I dont give one damn about this feature but Sony doing this is just saying FU to consumers.

I didnt care about them removing it from the Slims. But removing it from the Fats is just.........

no who does only the tech nerds.

Not a April Fools joke..they got rid of it with the SLIM like other ppl said, so it's only natural that they'd do the same with the rest.gamer082009

No you fool, its not natural they do it to the rest. The Slim wasnt advertised with Linux support. The original ones were.

Thats kind of like saying "buy the PS3, you can play games on it" then removing the ability to play games.CZVA

That's ridiculous, playing games (or watching Blu-ray movies etc) is a core feature of the PS3 whereas 'OtherOS' was at best a supplementary feature used by the vast minority. Vocal minorities will inevitably whinge disproportionately about everything, that's the unavoidable nature of all internet forums. However, it's important to note that the silent majority don't care about non-issues like this.

I'm hoping that it's still an April Fools joke and when the update goes live it's for something really amazing. :P

Either way, it's a feature I never used when I had my 60GB model so I won't miss it.

I don't care either way.

I installed linux but dont use it quite often but what about all the universities,research labs and scientists that use it.This is going to be really bad news for them.conistant

I'd like to point your here:

Consumers and organizations that currently use the "Other OS" feature can choose not to upgrade their PS3 systems, although the following features will no longer be available;

• Ability to sign in to PlayStation Network and use network features that require signing in to PlayStation Network, such as online features of PS3 games and chat
• Playback of PS3 software titles or Blu-ray Disc videos that require PS3 system software version 3.21 or later
• Playback of copyright-protected videos that are stored on a media server (when DTCP-IP is enabled under Settings)
• Use of new features and improvements that are available on PS3 system software 3.21 or later

TehSonofUgly

If they're using it for research then they shouldn't have any issues. The lab assistant who would sneak off and play Flower might me upset though.

This better be a joke (an unfunny one).

I for one do use it and purchased the PS3 specifically to use Linux and play network games. So they are saying you can now only do one or the other... thats not right. If they offered to buy back my PS3 and all the games then fine by me. Oh and not forgetting my purchased psn games and they going to refund me for them too as I won't be able to play them?

If they really are going to do this like people are saying (although they could be in on the joke), then I hope the PS£ does get hacked and if it does I will be ripping off all games made by SCE.

I don't care at all. I didn't even know it had that feature.

doesn't bother mei never used it and never will not havingit doesn't take away or add to gameplay and thats all that matters to me.

What exactly is this feature? Can someone be nice enough to explain?

I use my PS3 to stream media from my laptop to my PS3. Would this be something that will be taken away?

I don't care but ho ho... a LOT of people care.

It's a good thing for me, I don't us alternate OS support.

Don't care. Don't use it.

What exactly is this feature? Can someone be nice enough to explain?

I use my PS3 to stream media from my laptop to my PS3. Would this be something that will be taken away?

Cloud418

I was about to install yellow dog again aghhhhhhh. So its the only console that takes away features.Solid_Tango

I'm not affected by it, but it does seem pretty wack to provide the service, and then withdraw the opportunity afterwards.

it really doesnt bother me

i dont even know how to use linux anyway so i really dont give a ship......yes i said ship and i dont give a damp either.

The people who vote that this is "a good thing" should be kicked in the balls. Removing functionality of something like the PS3 is never a good thing! I used this feature a lot and am one of the many who will be pretty bummed when this actually takes place. I never used it for playing old game roms, either. A PSP could do that just fine. I used mine to stream PC games to my PS3 so I could use the Sixaxis controller and HDTV to play them. It was a very nice way to play Crysis, Mass Effect 2, and Left 4 Dead... Thanks a lot, GeoHot. And to the rest of you "its a good thing" voters, I hope you choke on your Cheerios this morning. ;)TheEldestGod

This is the only thing I used Linux for on my console too however I never got around to installing it again after the system failed and I got a vanilla unit back from Sony. Didn't have a need anymore as I have alternate solutions.

I think it's a shame the functionility will be removed as the versatility of the PS3 is one of the things that makes it so much a "cut above the rest". Also removing this ufunctionailty from the firmware will not stop people having consoles with alternate OS' installed. MS didn't allow the functionality on Xbox however Linux installed and ran quite nicely on that box...then again I never played online then so....

@conistant - What scientists use a Sony PS3 as a Linux box?! PCs are cheap enough, why would they use a PS3?

@April Fools Joke posts - Sony announced it at PAX and on their blog. Add this to the fact that they wouldn't release an April Fool's joke like this, especially after the recent leap year screwup....are you ppl crazy? Of course it's not an April Fool's joke.

What scientists use a Sony PS3 as a Linux box?! PCs are cheap enough, why would they use a PS3?Chickan_117

[QUOTE="Chickan_117"]What scientists use a Sony PS3 as a Linux box?! PCs are cheap enough, why would they use a PS3?RedruM_I

Fair Enuf :)

[QUOTE="CZVA"]

Thats kind of like saying "buy the PS3, you can play games on it" then removing the ability to play games.piis3

That's ridiculous, playing games (or watching Blu-ray movies etc) is a core feature of the PS3 whereas 'OtherOS' was at best a supplementary feature used by the vast minority. Vocal minorities will inevitably whinge disproportionately about everything, that's the unavoidable nature of all internet forums. However, it's important to note that the silent majority don't care about non-issues like this.

Doesnt matter how big or small it is. It was still advertised with that feature. Like I said, I dont give one damn about it, other than the 1% off chance that I might actually want to try out Linux on my PS3, but thats highly unlikely. All Im saying is, if youre going to advertise Linux support, you better keep that promise, or people will remember you for backing out. Its basically bait and switch. If Sony were to remove game or Blu-Ray support, you would have no right to complain since you think removing the "other OS" feature is reasonable. Doesnt matter if it affects the minority or majority.

Also, removing "other OS" support to fight piracy just shows Sonys laziness. Wouldnt it be better on their image if they tightened security rather than removing the whole feature through pure laziness?

[QUOTE="piis3"]

[QUOTE="CZVA"]

Thats kind of like saying "buy the PS3, you can play games on it" then removing the ability to play games.CZVA

That's ridiculous, playing games (or watching Blu-ray movies etc) is a core feature of the PS3 whereas 'OtherOS' was at best a supplementary feature used by the vast minority. Vocal minorities will inevitably whinge disproportionately about everything, that's the unavoidable nature of all internet forums. However, it's important to note that the silent majority don't care about non-issues like this.

Doesnt matter how big or small it is. It was still advertised with that feature. Like I said, I dont give one damn about it, other than the 1% off chance that I might actually want to try out Linux on my PS3, but thats highly unlikely. All Im saying is, if youre going to advertise Linux support, you better keep that promise, or people will remember you for backing out. Its basically bait and switch. If Sony were to remove game or Blu-Ray support, you would have no right to complain since you think removing the "other OS" feature is reasonable. Doesnt matter if it affects the minority or majority.

Also, removing "other OS" support to fight piracy just shows Sonys laziness. Wouldnt it be better on their image if they tightened security rather than removing the whole feature through pure laziness?

That said, you're still right. If a machine is advertised as having XXX functionality and then said functionality is removed 4 years after launch, people have a right to be annoyed. I think Sony have looked at the usage of this feature and decided that it's removal won't affect the majority of it's user base. I wouldn't be surprised if they cop a lot of flak for this tho!

let sony do what ever they want,I think this my last sony console ,won't pay for them any more,they are just trying to make us the same as the slim owners so the slim owners don't be jealous.

by the way I don't use other operating system but its some thing should be special for people who bought ps3 early,I am a fraid sony come up one day and say oh new firmware that will remove ps2 BC bec of any kind of reason,so the slim owners can be happy and say oh we all the same now.