Apparently Sony not content with just dropping Backwards Compatibility is now dropping Linux support with todays update.
Source: http://www.digitaltrends.com/gaming/playstation-3-updates-will-drop-linux-capability/
Playstation blog: http://blog.us.playstation.com/2010/03/28/ps3-firmware-v3-21-update/
The update is claimed to be optional but if you do not update your PS3 you will not be able to access the PSN, playing newer Bluray movies or play games online OR play games that require the updatewhich kind of makes it mandatory in my eyes. The Playstation store recently has gotten quite good and Sony happens to have some incredible titles out there so yes I'd say this update is mandatory if you want to keep playing games on it.
Now I'm not a linux user but the option was neat, I have it on my PS3 and used it here and there early on when I had PC trouble. And it really did make the PS3 more than just a console, you could do a lot more with it. Now as I gather I have to back up all my data, and then format my system, also I have to install ALL those games I had installed which WILL take hours to do. Which is of course my problem because I let my friend install linux on my system.
They apparently are removing the feature to increase security on the PS3, but this is also stripping down yet another feature on a console they say "Does everything". While I do love my PS3 games, I hate what Sony is doing to a console that I spent 600 dollars on when it came out. If this console fails (as in breaks) I'll be stuck plugging in my PSOne and PS2 and hope they last enough since they have disc drives and they fail unlike a cartridge slot. But maybe this will help security, and truly help sony, but this is will merely delay them and we all know it, if a pirate wants to crack something, they WILL get it eventually. I hope they'll retract this idea because honestly the PS3 is a very capable system that does a lot and should be allowed to do so.
What are your thoughts Escapists on the another feature stripped off the PS3?
Edit:
1- No this isn't an April Fools day thing, I of course thought of this as I recalled what day it was.
2- No I don't use the Linux feature (anymore) but it's annoying to lose a feature that some may use, no?
3- Because everyone seems to be taking EVERYDAY far too literally, I changed the title.
Added bit:
While this feature doesn't remove something that many people used or is necessary to enjoy your PS3 it is a bit disappointing to see another function taken out. This apparently is something many don't care about I'm just being a pessimist and hoping it doesn't lead to more being removed to take away from my, and others enjoyment of the PS3. In either case my only worry personally comes down to if my system dies/breaks what choices I'll have when it comes down to replacing it.
===============================
Important: If you have linux installed you might want to read this:
The PS3 update will not delete the linux install, only shut off the partition so effectively you'll lose the space linux is taking up so you'll have to back up your system and format it so you can erase linux.
To back it up you'll need a FAT32 formatted drive (as NTFS is a Microsoft thing) and if you don't you'll have to figure something else out to do. So if you care about the space it takes up (I forget how much mine even takes up) You'll have to go through the ropes.
Use this if you only want to back up your game saves:
http://www.tech-recipes.com/rx/2570/ps3_how_to_backup_ps3_game_save_files/
Source: http://www.digitaltrends.com/gaming/playstation-3-updates-will-drop-linux-capability/
Playstation blog: http://blog.us.playstation.com/2010/03/28/ps3-firmware-v3-21-update/
The update is claimed to be optional but if you do not update your PS3 you will not be able to access the PSN, playing newer Bluray movies or play games online OR play games that require the updatewhich kind of makes it mandatory in my eyes. The Playstation store recently has gotten quite good and Sony happens to have some incredible titles out there so yes I'd say this update is mandatory if you want to keep playing games on it.
Now I'm not a linux user but the option was neat, I have it on my PS3 and used it here and there early on when I had PC trouble. And it really did make the PS3 more than just a console, you could do a lot more with it. Now as I gather I have to back up all my data, and then format my system, also I have to install ALL those games I had installed which WILL take hours to do. Which is of course my problem because I let my friend install linux on my system.
They apparently are removing the feature to increase security on the PS3, but this is also stripping down yet another feature on a console they say "Does everything". While I do love my PS3 games, I hate what Sony is doing to a console that I spent 600 dollars on when it came out. If this console fails (as in breaks) I'll be stuck plugging in my PSOne and PS2 and hope they last enough since they have disc drives and they fail unlike a cartridge slot. But maybe this will help security, and truly help sony, but this is will merely delay them and we all know it, if a pirate wants to crack something, they WILL get it eventually. I hope they'll retract this idea because honestly the PS3 is a very capable system that does a lot and should be allowed to do so.
What are your thoughts Escapists on the another feature stripped off the PS3?
Edit:
1- No this isn't an April Fools day thing, I of course thought of this as I recalled what day it was.
2- No I don't use the Linux feature (anymore) but it's annoying to lose a feature that some may use, no?
3- Because everyone seems to be taking EVERYDAY far too literally, I changed the title.
Added bit:
While this feature doesn't remove something that many people used or is necessary to enjoy your PS3 it is a bit disappointing to see another function taken out. This apparently is something many don't care about I'm just being a pessimist and hoping it doesn't lead to more being removed to take away from my, and others enjoyment of the PS3. In either case my only worry personally comes down to if my system dies/breaks what choices I'll have when it comes down to replacing it.
===============================
Important: If you have linux installed you might want to read this:
The PS3 update will not delete the linux install, only shut off the partition so effectively you'll lose the space linux is taking up so you'll have to back up your system and format it so you can erase linux.
To back it up you'll need a FAT32 formatted drive (as NTFS is a Microsoft thing) and if you don't you'll have to figure something else out to do. So if you care about the space it takes up (I forget how much mine even takes up) You'll have to go through the ropes.
Use this if you only want to back up your game saves:
http://www.tech-recipes.com/rx/2570/ps3_how_to_backup_ps3_game_save_files/
