Blunderingly, Sony Nukes PS3 Supercomputing

Earlier this week, Hot Hardware covered news that a California PS3 owner, Anthony Ventura, had filed a class action lawsuit against Sony, alleging that the company's decision to terminate the PS3's Linux support via firmware update constituted a false/deceptive marketing practice.

[unrealgamer58]

lol look at me I made an article all by myself

[happyfuntime]

Sony is such a good-natured company and sells the world a device cheaper than the actual production costs, and hopes for the buyers fairness to make up for it by buying at least a few games.
But even the fucking US Army takes advantage of Sonys generosity and makes Sony pay for their shitty research Lab. I bet even Xbox Live runs on PS3s...
Assholes...

[jadenkorri]

The government and anyone using the ps3 for whatever use have a special O/S so the Linux support wont be removed with update. But this is always conveniently left out to make the article sound like all those PS3 the government bought and whomever just wasted money. Gotta love articles posted by a mentally retarded monkey with ADD.

[Sm0k3y_Bac0n]

Well look on the bright side happy. In a couple of hundred years time when America has crumbled, they'll get all the shit they've pulled thrown straight back at them.

[Szarky]

"The government and anyone using the ps3 for whatever use have a special O/S so the Linux support wont be removed with update."

If that's true then it's getting really boring reading these articles created by these idiots posting false information about Sony ruining supercomputer clusters every week. Even if what you said isn't true, then this whole thing can be forgotten because who the hell uses PS3's to go onto PSN if they're using it as a supercomputer cluster. No PSN = no need to update and lose linux. Am I missing something here?

[geth1gh]

you do realize that it took out the option for "other os" right? so yes, there is no way they could install any kind of alternate os after the update, but i wonder why don't they just not update and just install and old version of the firmware for newer models.

also, people refer to it as the option to put "linix" on the ps3 because that was really the only os worth putting on the ps3 without it just being unusable.

[jadenkorri]

yes logically they wouldn't have to update, so shouldn't effect them. I def agree with why they wouldn't need access to psn in the first place. But like any PC/Mac, the ps3 gets updates, some might be useful. So there has to be away to update without removing the Linux support. Sony said themselves when announcing the removal of Linux, an O/S was made separate for government or anyone using ps3 as a supercomputer. I doubt they had psn access in the first place.

[ShinMaster]

Why don't people read the Terms of Service and System Software License every PS3 buyer agrees to!?
Before they start whining about no more Linux!

[Arnon]

"Sony is such a good-natured company and sells the world a device cheaper than the actual production costs"

I'm gonna go ahead and say that the majority of companies do this.

[JsonHenry]

When I was sold my PS3 it clearly stated it had otherOS support. By taking that away I am sure any judge will rule in favor of a class action lawsuit that basically states they pulled a bait and switch.

[Steve_0]

Two things, one you have to agree to upgrade to remove the Other OS feature. Its clearly stated in the change log. Two, if you read the terms and agreements that you agreed to when you made your ps3 purchase, you'll find that it's not so simple, Sony do have a right to patch and remove features in the interest of security. Whether or not that right is exploiting customers or not is not an open n shut case. If Other OS support is truly important to you, you would simply not upgrade. Easy as that.

[Persistantthug]

Steve_0 said,
"Two, if you read the terms and agreements that you agreed to when you made your ps3 purchase, you'll find that it's not so simple"

There was no TOS/T&C/ect when you purchased your PS3 at a cash register.
Did you sign one when you bought your PS3, Steve_0?

[mastiffchild]

It's, I'm told, the t&cs relating to updates via PSN and if you don't want the update you can leave the PSN and still have the other OS function anyway. Seems a hell of a stink about very little. Before Sony were forced into protecting their business and the experiences for their gamers 'cos Geohot's ego got the better of him(and nobody believes that CFW and then piracy weren't the reasons behind his actions)no one cared about other OS as for single users it just wasn't that great. No one used it and some fans of other consoles laughed at it as pointless, selling nothing to anyone. Sony should have been thinking about games they said-yet when they do the knives come out anyway?

Those using PS3 as clusters for supercomputing don't need PSN so the action won't effect them and Sony has made provision for these people in any case. It's odd that people feel Sony are in the wrong when the hacker's allowed to get away with it with no reason behind his actions beyond leading to what ruined PSP's business model making devs wary of the console. Sony, altruistic? Doubtful, but one result is that they protect PS3 owners and the future quality of what we get in the form of games.

Even morally I'd say they were in the right and doubt they'd leave themselves open to losing a case like this anyway. When you sign up for PSN there's quite a lot of T&C, though, and that's where this will flounder legally-so I've been told by someone who knows more than I do! It's via otherOS that the security's at risk so they're within their rights to remove the feature if they like as there's a proven security risk. Judges in a capitalist society also tend to support companies protecting themselves from being illegally ripped off so I see no hope of anyone proving this was a bait and switch when things were altered by someone other than Sony?

[zag]

This "feature" hasn't been used in marketing material though.

So I don't see how this class action will go anywhere as the law is about marketing or advertising not what some user manual has.

The only offical Sony site with anything about OtherOS is the Japanse Sony PS3 site, which can't be used as it's not in a region where the law could even apply again it's not marketing material as it's not been used in advertising.

Laws are yes/no type situations there's no in-between stuff and words matter/meaning heaps in court.

[bunfighterii]

@Persistthug

There are terms and conditions when you sign up to the PSN and when you update any firmware.

Its actually the PSN terms of use that you either accept or don't accept when you sign up to the PSN.

[rexus12345]

the law suite is only valid if the plaintiff had actually suffered damage, so it only applied to PS3 users that uses both the gaming OS and Linux LEGITIMATELY at the same time. Excluding those who tried to hack PS3 or plays emulated games, the resulting number is most likely less than 100.
So I don't think this law suite will get anywhere.

[Eddie20101]

Not true, the PS3 phat can still be used for super computing as long as you don't install the latest firmware. Those people/organizations that are using it for super computing or the like do not need PSN Access or would not be using it anyway.

The PS3 slim never had other OS support anyway.

The EULA says they can change or remove any function of the system at any time and in order to use the system you have to agree to the EULA before you are even allowed to use the system to do anything.

[Ravage27]

why the f#$% would Sony want people to buy PS3s for supercomputing purposes? No one likes losing money for no reason

[RedDevils]

what a retarded article

[CrazedFiend]

When I made my update, I read the warning they posted and my understanding was that the update was only necessary in order to use features like PSN or to play newer games. In other words, you're not forced to make the update if you do not use those things, am I right?

If that's the case, then I really don't see any of the PS3's out there being used for supercomputing needing to be updated. The only issue would be no future PS3 clusters, right?

Not really trying to make a point, just trying to make sure I understand the situation.

[keysy420]

its optional to update

[Death]

For people that use their PS3 online anyway. This story would have been relevant when the slim released, but today it is old news. If using PS3's in a cluster is your only purpose, the biggest problem is finding replacement units since they are no longer produced. Removing any feature sucks, but the impact isn't very large. It only hurts the core users who purchased early on and actually used the feature. The PS3 has been devolving since launch. The sad part is the loudest PS3 owners stand up and applaud each "revision" and thank Sony for it. The PS3 only does everything, just less now.

-Death

[CimmerianDrake]

Now there's a sad trolling post if I ever did see one. Truth is, people like you who are the pickiest people in the world make it so that Sony can do no right. Sony has B.C., you say "if I wanted to play PS2 games, I'd play on my PS2". Sony removes B.C. to lower the price, you say "where's my B.C., I was promised B.C. and I want B.C." *sigh*

Sony gave gamers everything, and you complained. They take stuff away, to again GIVE YOU A LOWER PRICE, and you complain. It's nothing but b*tch, b*tch, b*tch when it comes to Sony right? It's not like they released a console with the highest quality first party exclusives, best multimedia options, and free online. oh wait...

[Death]

Sony removed backward compatability to artificially extend the life of their much more profitable PS2. The truth is Sony was losing money on every PS3 sold, but making money on every PS2 sold. It was in their best intered to remove the ability to play PS2 games on the PS3 in order to keep making money on the PS2 hardware. The EE was already removed leaving the GPU the only additional cost which at the time was literally a few bucks. With the upcoming releas of PS2 games on PSN, what makes you think there is any cost actually associated with b/c on PS3?

As for being cheap, I still play all my Playstation games on my launch 60 gig PS3. What do I care if they made the system cheaper when I already owned one? The only ones complaining about the price were the people who couldn't afford a $599 game system and those that wanted Sony to be in first place with sales.

-Death

[Microsoft Xbox 360]

Researchers don't use PSN with their PS3 clusters. Supercomputing is not nuked.

[ChickeyCantor]

Wait how am i trolling?
LMAO

@MX360

The point is that many people used it with Linux.
And that basically screwed it.

Plus they paid for the feature as well.

[CimmerianDrake]

Linux is a free OS and it likely cost Sony nothing to program the ability for another OS to be used AS AN OPTION. I don't remember going to my local EB Games, buying an original 60GB PS3 Phat, Motorstorm, and guarantees and going "just what i needed, now i can use Linux". Could it be that I paid for a game console?

[ChickeyCantor]

The price tag of 600 was for a reason, and one of them being the features it had to offer.

Work was still put in there so other OSs could work on it, without accessing some hardware.
How does this development come in free?

People paid for the feature, just because you didnt use it doesnt mean you got it for free. Dont be so ignorant.

Stop justifying it and let the consumer be the winner on this one.

[CimmerianDrake]

"Stop justifying it and let the consumer be the winner on this one."

Are you serious? Sony sells the PS3 at a loss until just recently, we get the best, and for the longest time CHEAPEST, Blu-Ray player on the market with HDMI 1.3, a fully functional multimedia center, web browser, HD gaming console, with FREE online gaming, and somehow the consumer LOSES?!!

*Sigh* Anti-Sony fanboys have absolutely no concept of logic, value, and quality.

Listen, the resources Sony used for this Other OS option were likely highly negligible. The cost of setting aside some memory for another OS to mount on is nothing compared to the cost of the REAL tech in the console. Contrary to what you might think, Sony was charging for Blu-Ray and Cell, not an optional OS. And IF they charged for it, you can bet that it was a piddly amount. Probably less than people spend on coffee in a week.

The consumers lost nothing but the ability to play Homebrew games on a tv screen. WHICH THEY CAN STILL DO WITH THE PC'S THEY SURELY ALREADY HAVE!

Stop being a hater, stop whining about a feature less than 1% of the userbase used, and go back to your Wii and it's shovelware.

[artsaber]

Since Sony lost the right to classify the PS3 as a "Computer" in court, I don't see where this complaint has legs. Since it's sole marketing purpose determined BY THE COURT was that it is a gaming console. I don't see how you can turn around and sue Sony for the PS3(or a chain of PS3s) not being a Supercomputer.

If Sony won the past case, then I can see the lawsuit having some weight. But Sony could also release a developer build for the PS3 and STRIP the gaming OS away from it, just leaving it as a lightweight XMB menu with a Linux Only build, etc. Perhaps Sony could make the Linux version available by request since you can install updates via flash drives, etc.

This would probably free up PS3 resources and make PS3s even more effective @ Supercomputing cell based applications. Sony should consider this.

Also, didn't Sony WARN people using PS3s in this sort of application to simply NOT update. Any moron who updated a chain of PS3s KNOWING GOOD AND WELL the latest update stripped Linux, needs to be out of the business of Supercomputing PERIOD. This is not an automatic update, it requires a manual install - lawsuit = fail. Someone sabotages their own Supercomputing center and wants to hold Sony legally liable - ludacris at best.

Just think about that for a second, someone had to manually and individually LOGIN to each PS3 console and REQUEST the latest OS Update. So if there was a chain of twenty PS3s, that is 20 times someone logged in and clicked the YES button to force this update to their systems. That is far from an accident or the blame of Sony. As far as Supercomputing is concerned, you just bricked 20 systems... someone needs to be fired.

[Dac2u]

Why write such a long post when you clearly didn't read or understand what the author was writing about?

[Kira83]

because unlike you artsaber sees that this lawsuit is the result of a user error an is not sonys problem.

[N4g_null]

The problem is most gamers don't know how super computers work. No update no network for you.... Ummm Super computers need a network to work. Most super computers are a cluster of PC networked together to work as if they where one PC for one job.

So unless SONY makes and update to give this back then they have every right to sue. They are going to loose against the big iron users though. Jumping into this whole super computer thing really has major repercussions for SONY. Seriously this could get the government involved.

This is getting worst and as time passes it is once again the very PS3 users that will cause it to fail. While other try and keep the company afloat.

At least I hope the next PS is mostly game focused. Adults can be a pain.

[Anon1974]

Not updating simply takes away the ability to connect to the PSN. People running clusters of PS3's aren't connecting to the PSN and the networking capabilities of their PS3 clusters would remain unaltered.

I can't see this optional upgrade causing any real ripples for Sony. When update 3.0 bricked some consoles (an easy fix too, by the way) a meaningless lawsuit was launched then as well and fell flat on it's face.

Think about it. Microsoft launched a faulty console and then lied for over a year about the severity of the problem, duping millions of consumers and so far not a single one of those cases has gone against them.

Do you really think the courts are going to rule against Sony in this case where they removed a feature, as per outlined in the user agreement, in an attempt to protect the consumer when the courts haven't even ruled against MS dumping a faulty product on the market and lying about it for over a year?

The court case is trying to claim that Sony's user agreement is unfair. Good luck with that. You should read your Windows or 360 agreement sometime. If they rule that Sony's agreement is unfair then it's open season on all User Agreements in the US. No way the court's going to open that can of worms.

[Dac2u]

Kira83:
You too, failed to read or understand what the actual article was about. The article isn't about the lawsuit, the one mention of the lawsuit is in the first paragraph where it mentions an earlier article.

The article on THIS page is all about Sony taking out the Other OS support when switching to PS3 Slims and to a lesser degree the firmware update, and not allowing known organizations(known to Sony according to the article) to make use of these PS3 clusters. In the end, this research into cell clusters could have been a big help to Sony in the future.

[Hideo_Kojima]

yeah your right...

what good is a super computer if you cant use it to log into Playstation Network to walk around in Home play Killzone 2 Online and maybe download a couple of movies, games, demos and trailers while you have your lunch break right???

They might as well through away any super computer that can't do those things it is complete garbage...

/s

[Shadow Flare]

Wow, its an optional update. If theres a company using ps3's as super computers, then don't update. And to be honest, i very much doubt they would update the hundreds of ps3s they have anyway. They aren't using them to play online

[edgeofblade]

Oh it's "optional", huh. Ever written a grant proposal and budget?

Imagine having a $100,000+ super computer and the company that built the components said they wouldn't support the hardware anymore. If I spent that kind of money, paid the university's facility costs, and then found I can't get any replacement parts for the array, I would be pissed too.

Look, I see a lot of the same denialism that 360 fanboys peddled with the RROD. At least Microsoft had a backup plan. I have still paid for only one Xbox 360, even though it's been replaced 4 times... gratis. Now, Sony is getting hammered by the one sector of the market that actually uses this feature: academia.

[PiTCHBLaCK]

MS Never had a back up plan, They had to come up with something because there was allot of p*ssed off customers, so dont act like the extended warranties were already in place, just Like sony will be forced to remedy this issue.

[radphil]

Ok there's a couple of things wrong with this statement:

1) What kind of supercomputer in a company is CONNECTED TO PSN??
2) This isn't to the degree of RROD, where it had the possibility to affect EVERY system to a HARDWARE flaw, where as this only affected the first run of the system.
3) MS didn't have a backup warranty until after the issue was widespread.

[4me2]

Universities or companies using clusters of PS3 run some variant of LINUX. Firmware on their PS3 most likely never been updated since booting directly to Linux doesn't checks for firmware updates.
problem for them is only replacing the defective PS3 in the cluster.

I would like to point out that MS is company that was throwing lawsuits left and right against Linux which is much bigger threat all Linux user than Sony ever was.

Regarding MS having plan for RROD .... well MS had a choice to fix all RROD 360s ,which would be about 30%, or facing court order Product RECALL-> all of them 100%. (I bought my 360 March 2006, still working never had a problem)

[Shadow Flare]

like radphil said, the biggest thing wrong with your statement is that if a university had a cluster of ps3's to use for their processing power, they would NOT be connected to PSN. There is no need for it. It would take forever to connect each ps3 to the PSN. They would also never need to update their ps3's firmware, because there is simply NO need. It would also take forever to update every ps3. This would just not affect people who genuinely use ps3's as supercomputers

[exnihilonihilfit]

No one had to pay $100,000 plus to set up a PS3 array, and since such an array isn't connected to the playstation network, it should still work. If you have that kind of money to spend on a supercomputer, why not buy an actual super computer instead of a videogame console? Sony never marketed the PS3 as a supercomputer, it marketed the system as a gaming system, with a unique feature which turned out to be detrimental to their business plan on a number of levels. Sony never wanted PS3's to be used a super computers, they sell the system at a loss and make money back through software sales. PS3 supercomputing arrays are not used for games and so do not bring in revenue. Sony really didn't have a choice.

[artsaber]

Well I may know a little something about that. Any government contract discourages the use of off the shelf material for government sole and long-term solutions without exclusive support from the proposed vendor.

Basically, if the Government wants, they can work up an exclusive contract with Sony to have them write a XMB light OS with Linux, and Sony can provide government support through a VERY lucrative contract. Right now, the government has access to PS3 Supercomputer use @ the same price as the public, which is super cheap for them. But for the government to rely on Sony for their Supercomputing needs without an exclusive contract with Sony is a mistake and possible violation of standard government policy.

Why you may ask? Because if the government became dependent on Sony's PS3 without proper support and rights to the software, Sony has the legal authority to change it as they please... LEGALLY since they own the OS, etc. and wrote the usage and rights agreements and are privy to change those as well... which is why we have to click the AGREE button to use it.

If this was in the interest of National Security, then maybe that would be different, but it is hard to prove that this Nation's defense would depend on the usability of the PS3.

Sony = 1 Government = 0

[mrv321]

SO let me get this straight, Universities and schools use PS3 for supercomputing I presumy not much online gaming. Sony releases and update which remove OpenOS, you DON'T HAVE to update unless you want PSN which they don't

That's the definition of nuking... right?

[sikbeta]

lol they wanted to join UC2 Multiplayer, nah, they USE IT FOR RESEARCH and other stuff that doesn't have anything to do with Gaming...

Anyways, this article is submitted by the Guy that HATE Consoles cuz they can't make 1080p and Crysis Graphics all the time and by that, No matter how Good a Game can be, is CRAP in his eyes...

[Pandamobile]

Oh well. GPU's are much more powerful and cost effective anyways.

[Chris_TC]

Pretty much. GPGPU is where it's at. Current graphics cards leave the Cell processor in the dust.

[N4g_null]

Yeah I'll put money on them suing getting damages and then buying those GPU based systems with that money. You don't mess with university and the gov just as MS OUCH.

What is even sadder is SONY has to do this. If pirates get the PS3 broken into then sure sales of the console will go up but games will go way down, Sure downloading a 50 gig games take a long time but seriously colleges have way faster networks and blu ray disk are way cheaper than buying the actual game. Most Gamers can not afford gaming so will opt to pirate games with the promise of buying them later or when they hit the lottery which ever comes first.

The only thing SONY can do is make a fix for these people and watch it get leaked on to the internet by the very same people. It's sad but true. Either the PS3 gets hacked or SONY is going to bleed money, that is how things are looking.

[IdleLeeSiuLung]

Yeah, you never mess with the Govt. See what happened to MS, they never recovered from that! Their stock price is still below that level after all the years.

The thing is Sony initially marketed the PS3 as a supercomputer, and boy oh boy they didn't lie. So what happens, Universities and other places start buying them en mass (which makes you wonder how much of their user base is comprised of this market segment).

To me, it just seems like Sony had a bad business plan from the get go! If you don't profit from supercomputing, don't advertise or mention it as such!!! Gheeez!

[N4g_null]

Yeah they didn't lie but they didn't plan the future out too great. I'm just glad they never tried to make a full fledged PC platform like when they claimed they would make a better os than MS.

That claim disappeared from the public but I remember sitting in the studio like hell yeah that would be cool C64 cool even. It's like SONY got desperate to find some thing relevant for the PS3 other than games.

Kaz has really turned the ship around on that matter. I say leave the OS feature and get started on a new PS4 because they will find away to break it any way. This is only slowing them down. What is even funnier they may actually get the scientist involved in breaking it just to keep their systems running. I mean if you can make a data sim then breaking into a closed system is just a matter of time especially if the military throws money at a "solution in the mean time" LOL.

SONY is just throwing rocks at the bee hive. WOW so many things are coming at them at the same time, this is not good.

Also type 2 games are stored on a whole hard drive and they are hack and online. These games don't even have a meg limit LOL and they are on line.

[Gun_Senshi]

People using PS3 as Super Computer and not updating PS3. They are running Linux not even Playstation OS.

No, Companies using PS3 as Super Computers dont use PS3 to play games

[simplyRealistic18]

Im pretty sure if someone wants to get a ps3 that has linux support for research they can contact sony to make an order, so useless article

[simplyRealistic18]

stealth disagrees, what a suprise -_-

[PiTCHBLaCK]

I Agree, Companies can make custom orders.

[Hellsvacancy]

Lol, i posted this http://n4g.com/news/517860/...

Soon deleted it though, it didnt go down 2 well

[Anon1974]

The article is baseless. The whole article is made moot by one fact, that the PS3 update is optional and people using the PS3 in clusters for supercomputing are unaffected. The author of this article really should have done some homework before he went through the effort in writing this piece.

I can write a whole article about why the sky is purple and what can be done about it, but when someone points out the sky ain't purple that kinda brings the whole house of cards down.

[Sir_Ken_Kutaragi__]

"Sony Nukes Micro$oft"!!! ;-D Oooops...i had a Open Zone moment... ;-D
(As if i can forgive everyone n4g.com???)

[Hellsvacancy]

The Open Zone would explode if we still had 1

[Strikepackage Bravo]

of PS3 sales actually are from massive institutions buying them as cheap super computers? LOL see how retarded that sounds, kinda like when people say half 360 sales are from RROD replacements.

[Pillville]

Not even the same thing.

Replacing a device because 30% of them having hardware failures, is nothing like people buying something for one of its intended uses.

[iceman06]

I know several people in person, not to mention countless online, who have experienced RROD issues and either purchased a backup 360 or had them repaired. On the other hand, I know NOBODY that has created a supercomputing PS3 farm. No...I don't believe that HALF of the 360 sales are from RROD replacements, but I'd be blind, deaf, and dumb not to believe that there is NO contribution from RROD issues. Sure, academia probably has contributed to hardware sales...but I would venture to guess that the numbers are probably in the tens of thousands and nowhere near the estimated 3-4 million faulty 360's that would be replaced/repaired. (using a low estimate of 10% failure rate).

[Solid_Snake]

i doubt anyone who is using the ps3 as a super computer is logging into psn and updating their ps3's. The site must be needing some hits this month.

[ALFAxD_CENTAURO]

People forget PS3 could work as a Super Computer around the World using Folding@Home, research connected to the University of Stanford.

PS3 only does everything, even to make research in the world of science.

[Theonik]

And yet this feature does not use PSN so even if they used that they would have no reason to update their FW.

[BlackCountryBob]

I am no expert but couldn't anyone with a PS3 super computer cluster thing just choose not to upgrade to the OS which removes Linux? Seems pretty simple to me.

[NotSoSilentBob]

Sony removed OtherOS functionality for 2 reasons.

1 GeoHotz and his hack/crack
2 Sony and IBM are now marketing a Cell Server for research like what the otherOS feature was used for on the PS3 but this Cell Server is 10x the cost of a PS3 and actually has support from IBM to help people.

http://www.mc.com/microsite...

Here are just a few of them in a simple google search.

[DanyBrown]

Did not know about the new cell server and that does sound dodgy.
anyway this article has an overly dramatical title when the article itself is quite light on the subject of sony actually removing the other os functionnality

[dkgshiz]

So no harm done. It seems some people cant get that around there fat little heads.

[wicko]

Can we stop submitting idiotic articles like this? It's over with, it's been discussed, and even if it were still relevant right now, they'd be wrong anyway since those using ps3's for research don't need to update for any reason.

[Marty8370]

Reason, the v3.21 update was optional. So never even effected the use of PS3's been used in clusters. Researchers use ther own private networks not PSN.

The update targeted gamers, and may aim was to prevent piracy.

The only ones that loose out are the wannabe pirate's, as they have the choice of waiting for the so called 'custom fimware', and while waiting miss out on online gaming and future firmware updates.

This whole case will be laughed out of court.

@NotSoSilentBob - Cell Blade servers havn't just gone on sale, IBM made/released them at the very start of Cells life.

[GrooveChampion]

Not only does the author not back up his assumptions with facts, but there isn't one cite in the article of a researcher who sees this as a problem.

The guy with the lawsuit is just listed as a California man. Look, if you bought a PS3 for linux, just don't update. If you bought it for both, then make the call as to what you need that PS3 for.

If some poor guy at home is going to be screwed because he had to choose between playing games and linux, then he needs to seriously consider his priorities. It's LINUX! It's FREE Just drop it onto your computer and make it dual boot. lol It's awesome that we're still seeing articles about this. So awesome.

[Ether]

If a research company wants PS3s for super-computing, I'm sure they can directly contact Sony for a supply of unpatched units.

Also... "blunderingly"? Jeez, use a dictionary next time you write an article.

[ALFAxD_CENTAURO]

Folding@Home

[FReeDoM4ALL]

They don't need to update to carry on using the PS3's... They don't need PSN or to want to play games on it, they just run calcs on it.

[Knightofelemia]

Sony should keep the super computer thing going with the PS3 its free advertisement for them and its cheap enough to do the computing. But what Sony should be doing is make another version of the PS3 that companies like the military can use that are only for sale through Sony themselves. The object is to keep the consumer happy and keep them coming back and buying your product no pissing off customers. IF a person wants to install another OS on their console I say let them they baught the system they can do what ever they want with it.

[rob6021]

It doesn't make sense for Sony to whore consoles they sell at a loss out to someone who doesn't buy any software... It was good for publicity at first, but now it's not going to do them any good. I do think Sony should have a custom firmware to mail out to people like this guy though to allow linux.

[siliticx]

PS3 arrays always do their latest firmwae updates... wait what?

[karan8624]

Dont do the optional update when you obviously wont be playing online with them you tool

[thief]

The typical approach
The PS3 is powerful enough to be a supercomputer
"Who cares, its a gaming machine, etc"
The PS3 can no longer be used for supercomputing IF you apply the update (which you dont need to)
"PS3 sucks, Sony is greedy, etc"

It was the same with backward compatibility, no one gave any credit to the PS3 for having the ability to play thousands of PS2 titles - until they removed it, and you still hear people whining about it.

[dizzleK]

it's only wannabe pirates complaining. period. you can run linux on almost anything and everything, use the ps3 for it's intended purpose:playing ps3 games. if you're a real linux nut why would you want to run an inferior version on a videogame console?

[SkolarVisari]

Maybe you want to use it as a bridge to your television? Linux did enable you to play some formats that the gameos still does not yet support.

[madmonkey0]

why was this approved http://n4g.com/news/517860/...

[Rhezin]

now Sony has to spend the money that they could be using on research and technology for ps3, for legal fees. I swear people will sue for anything just to get some cash, it's pathetic and unfair to the people work for their hard earned money. Stupid f1cking people.

[KilZoneGeneralStrife]

Its mandatory if you play online on psn.if their using it for clusters..why did they update?

[BrianC6234]

This guy can't be serious. Sony took a loss on every one of those PS3s that were bought to be part of a supercomputer. The PS3 is mostly a gaming console. It wasn't designed to do this one task. There are other options these people can go to if they need Cell processors. I don't see why Sony should be forced to stick with an old feature that they don't make money from. It's like backward compatibility. It's a nice feature but not that important. Sony wants more PS3s bought by gamers so they removed features to save money. This Other OS feature being removed can be blamed on that lame hacker who is trying to help people bootleg PS3 games.

[mushroomwig]

Why are people still suggesting that the update was required when it wasn't? People who use the PS3 for supercomputing do not require access to the PSN or any of the features that the average gamer needs.

Yet again people will approve anything that's anti-PS3 related, even if it's completely wrong.

[djfullshred]

I don't get this article...if the firmware update is optional, how is that "nuking" the use of older machines only used for supercomputing & not online gaming?

[roguewarrior]

who ever wrote this is a F-in Moron. for all the reasons stated above.

[Enigma_2099]

... don't HAVE to update firmware. If you're not using said PS3 to play games... you don't have to agree to use the firmware update to remove the Other OS feature from the system... Remember, you HAVE that option. Agree to that and you can keep using the PS3 to play "supercomputer..." If that's all you're doing with the PS3, then you shouldn't CARE about any firmware updates... "Supercomputers" don't need access to PSN to work properly, do they?

[Morituri]

Do we really care? I'm not supercomputing on my PS3. I'm playing games, watching Blue rays, looking at pics on my HDTV, occasionally browsing the web, etc.

[JeepGamer]

You know those people bound and determined to hack the PS3 no matter how much time it took or how much money they had to spend? Those "heroes" who finally cracked the nearly invincible PS3?

They would be the ones responsible for the loss of alternate OS. It's the classic case of a few bad people spoiling the fun for everyone. They were given something and promptly did everything they possibly could to ruin it for everyone in their blind pursuit of pirated software.

And don't start feeding me this garbage about 'home brew' or anything else because that's all nothing but a flimsy excuse to hide behind when the truth is people want to steal things. For every one person that would actually use it for home brew, there would be 10,000 pirating games, and for every person that actually developed a home brew the number would be closer to 100,000 people pirating games.

You are not the victims of Sony, you are the victims of game pirates.

[sandip787]

that sony can remove functionality at any time?

[cricen]

I'm a big sony fan but as someone that used the ps3 for Linux I can tell you that this update was was wrong and just plain stupid on Sony's part. I have not updated because I don't want to lose my other OS. I have had no choice but to not use PSN. Nevertheless its a misconception that the law suit is just about the removal of other OS. Its more then that and to QUICKLY paraphrase its about Sony taking away ANY feature advertised so for example sony won't be able to take away the web browser and so forth. read it for yourselves before you judge http://boardsus.playstation...
I will admit that I don't have confidence in the law suit I still believe in what it stands for. When I bought a PS3 I bought it to play games, watch movies, Use linux, listen to music etc.. Also for all of you that say "blame the hackers" Do you really think this stopped them? This may be an extreme example but maybe it will help people get the picture. what would happen if a web browser just dropped PHP or something just because there was some exploit? I'll tell you they don't, it happens all the time. THEY FIX IT. You dont just take it away.

[commodore64]

I mean the facts speak for themselves.

If you want to continue to use the ps3 to its full ability, a right granted on purchase, one is forced to upgrade.

If one doesn't upgrade, the ps3's functionality is reduced, that is a fact.
If one DOES upgrade then the ps3's functionality is reduced, that is a fact.

Thus, consumers have no choice. They are damned if they do and damned if they don't.
Sony blundered and they deserve to be sued.
I hope the lawsuit is successful.
Consumers' rights have been trampled on.

[Studio-YaMi]

When is this going to end already...?
it's like taking candy from a baby..

SHAME on you Sony,why did you take that GOOD DELICIOUS CREAMY CANDY from those WHINY LITTLE ASS-WIPE BABIES ="| ?

Now they will never stop...
Shame Sony...for shame...