Very Disappointing

So The PS3 is getting firmware update v.3.21 on April 1st. The primary use of this update? To remove the feature to install other operating systems such as Linux. Only older PS3's have this option as the new 120GB versions had this taken away. I find this very disappointing because I think its a very useful feature maybe not for my self but probably thousands of people who have them running as servers or what not at the moment. I really don't see a reason to take this out. Its not hurting anybody.

I know this could go in the PS3 section but to keep it in this section, what other things do you know that have actually had features removed in an update? Do you agree with them? Do you agree with what Sony is doing, what do you think they are gaining from this?

I personally think this is ridiculous, and they have no reason to do this. I hear a lawsuit coming.

[DarkPacMan77]

I see nothing to gain and everything to lose. Let's keep in mind though, the ability to allow a third party operating system is exactly what Sony "doesn't want" in terms of piracy, so I found it shocking to include the option as it is. I'm betting that their engineers came up with a way to bypass the security fairly easily and allow backed up games or something because it just doesn't make sense that they would take this feature out.

I thought there were entire networks of PS3's used across the world for folding proteins... what happens to those?

-DarkPacMan77-

I see nothing to gain and everything to lose. Let's keep in mind though, the ability to allow a third party operating system is exactly what Sony "doesn't want" in terms of piracy, so I found it shocking to include the option as it is. I'm betting that their engineers came up with a way to bypass the security fairly easily and allow backed up games or something because it just doesn't make sense that they would take this feature out.

I thought there were entire networks of PS3's used across the world for folding proteins... what happens to those?

-DarkPacMan77-

I guess that makes since and I can agree. If you are talking about Folding&Home thats an application in the PS3. I don't think you can use it in the other OS feature. I know you can download it blah blah blah but the other OS feature just isn't given the same access to the CELL and RSX to make the Folding&Home. I am just assuming that so don't quote me. But I think what you were talking about was like the what was it? US Army or some government buying thousands of PS3's for networking / servers? I guess they will not be updating ahah.

That is very bizarre, maybe there is a slight chance they are giving people less of a reason to buy a phat PS3 over a slim now, but that is a stretch.

[crait]

I don't know why they didn't block it in the first place. PS3's weren't made to run Linux, so why would Sony let it go on for so long?

[DarkPacMan77]

I don't know why they didn't block it in the first place. PS3's weren't made to run Linux, so why would Sony let it go on for so long?

True, that's one end of the spectrum. Why allow it in the first place? Why allow it for so long? The bigger question is "why remove it?". More features = more reasons to purchase... yes?

And I'm not sure about the PS3's folding at home features, I just assumed. I'm newer to the PS3.

-DarkPacMan77-

[crait]

Companies get sued for stupid stuff all of the time. Why would they want to put themselves at risk for allowing someone to try to do something and screw it up?

[brentbizzle]

I'm sure if anyone's amassing a large amount of PS3's for legitimate purposes they have worked with Sony to get an approved application running on them to use all the potential. There's a lot of stuff locked out when entering Other OS, so there's no way people would be buying up PS3's for super computing if they were limited to it.

Sony included Other OS to appease people who wanted homebrew. And it was a great idea. Look how long it went before any minor advance in hacking the PS3. But now that people (i.e. geohot and others) have exploited the Other OS feature, it has now become a liability and Sony is trashing it. The ability to dump Blu-ray discs through Other OS has been there since day 1. It's a simple linux command line. Just didn't have the ability to play the dumps.

I don't think we'll be seeing anything major happening on the PS3 for a looong time.

[crait]

I liked Blu-Ray Java games. I think they should allow them.

[brentbizzle]

And I'm not sure about the PS3's folding at home features, I just assumed.

Folding@Home wouldn't work on Other OS. Doesn't have the processing power given the restricted environment. Folding@Home used to be a stand alone application on the PS3 but it was incorporated into the @Home stuff. It's pretty nifty and goes toward a great cause. I had to shut it down because my gf didn't want me running it 24/7. I'll get back to folding when I'm in the states.

Err I still think it should go in PS3 section.
Sucks though that they're removing stuff in a new update >_>

[BKFraiders7]

I'm sure if anyone's amassing a large amount of PS3's for legitimate purposes they have worked with Sony to get an approved application running on them to use all the potential.

The United States Government

Sony included Other OS to appease people who wanted homebrew. And it was a great idea. Look how long it went before any minor advance in hacking the PS3. But now that people (i.e. geohot and others) have exploited the Other OS feature, it has now become a liability and Sony is trashing it. The ability to dump Blu-ray discs through Other OS has been there since day 1. It's a simple linux command line. Just didn't have the ability to play the dumps.

I just wanted to bring up that anyone with a PC and an installed blue-ray drive could do the same so $ony accomplishes nothing here.

The cost of Blue-ray media makes PS3 pirate proof if not pirate resistant IMO.

I don't know why they didn't block it in the first place. PS3's weren't made to run Linux, so why would Sony let it go on for so long?

True, that's one end of the spectrum. Why allow it in the first place? Why allow it for so long? The bigger question is "why remove it?". More features = more reasons to purchase... yes?

And I'm not sure about the PS3's folding at home features, I just assumed. I'm newer to the PS3.

-DarkPacMan77-

Yeah, i think they would get more cash by letting the feature still be there! take linux users as an example, we're always ready to see linux everywhere.. And Im sure loads of Linux fans (true fans) bought a PS3 to see the linux on it...

que, can you tell me anything about how a PS3 runs? do you know the ram, CPU speed and the likes?

FYI, ps3 has 256mb of ram. as muuch as my old laptop did, yet it runs faster than most home computer and some gaming ones.

http://forums.afterdawn.com/thread_view.cfm/272861

I remember reading somewhere this 300-dollar-per-128mb-stick ram could be pushed to 6.X ghz or something like that.
stunning.

but basically, that little (cleaner and faster ram) ram at those speeds, trying to run on a computer at home? uh.... maybe? i really honestly dont think you can do that que, that would take up your ENTIRE computer, and online wouldnt be possible, (no system number)


notice that SEGA DREAMCAST EMULATORS dont run correctly on even the fastest computers. NORMAL CRAPPY xbox's dont run. so pirating ps3 on your computer...... uh......