What to do with a PS3 and Ubuntu?

March 2, 2008 5:26 PM

What Linux apps should I download/install on my PS3 running Ubuntu?

I bought a PS3! It's showing up in the mail on Wednesday, and I'm really excited about all the new possibilities it provides (Great games, Blu-Ray, etc...)

I'm planing on installing Ubuntu on it from day one, primarily to be able to use it to download torrents while I'm away from home and can't leave my laptop. (Lets assume I've seen this post and I'm still convinced it's worth it.) I've never used Linux before, but I've done a good deal of research and I'm pretty confident that the basics won't be too far over my head.

What I WOULD like would be a few suggestions on what ELSE I can do with this $500 Ubuntu box that's about to be sitting under my TV. Like, for instance, what emulators will run decently on the thing? What would YOU use a Linux-running PS3 for? (As I'm a newbie, please be as specific as possible as far as application names and so on; "an NES emulator" is a great suggestion, "THIS NES emulator" is better. I don't really know how to evaluate Linux apps one against another.)

On a side note, is Ubuntu really my best option? There's also Yellow Dog, and I saw an argument for Xubuntu as well, but Ubuntu seems to be the most popular option on the PS3. Or is it?

posted by raygan to technology (3 comments total)

You're probably not going to run this as a media center since there isn't the hardware support, yet, in either YD/RHL or Ubuntu/Debian.
posted by Blazecock Pileon at 6:37 PM on March 2

(Lets assume I've seen this post and I'm still convinced it's worth it.)

You left the address blank, so it looks like you're referencing this thread.

If it's always on, you could use it as a webserver, but that might not fly well with your ISP's terms of service. You could open it up to VNC, & have it be your main remote desktop. As for emulators, MAME is the gold standard, I think. Stream music from the net. I'm sure I'll think of more as soon as I hit post, but I'm somewhat preoccupied by a remote spyware removal...
posted by Pronoiac at 12:50 AM on March 3

Oops, thanks Pronoiac, I meant to link THIS post.
posted by raygan at 6:19 AM on March 3