PS3 Cluster Supercomputer - step-by-step

A very interesting link .. a set-by-step guide to setting up a cluster of PS3 as a supercomputer.

http://www.ps3cluster.org/

Update Article on Installing Ubunto on PS3 (with better pictures)

http://www.popularmechanics.com/technology/how_to/4263321.html

Gentoo Linux on PS3

It looks like you build Gentoo linux on the PS3 according to this link:
http://planet.gentoo.org/developers/ranger/2007/01/03/ps3_32bit_userland_stage4_and_grp

This link talks about offering pre-compiled binaries, compiled on PS3 (since compilation can be slow with limited memory).
http://planet.gentoo.org/developers/ranger/2007/01/02/ps3_installcd_beta_hits_the_mirrors

According to PenguinPPC where I found the above link, they plan on hosting pre-compiled binaries for PS3 due to the limit memory of a PS3 (only 256 meg available to Linux). So might be a good link for the Gentoo lovers out there!

Here is a Slashdot article pointing to full install instructions as well.

PS3 install .. on a normal TV

Just received a viewers question about hooking up the PS3 to a normal TV.

The issue is how to boot linux on a NON HDTV. To simply the issue .. assume its a screen resolution problem. Technically there is more to screen resolutino when comparing analog TV to the new hi-def digital tv .. but lest keep it simple.

HDTV can do up to 1920x1080 (lets ignore progressive vs. interlaced please).
SDTV which is the digital equivalent to analog TV resolution is 704x480. (Technically analog TV's could do 640 x 480 .. but analog signal integrity issue usually skewed the real resolution to much less).

So .. in order to boot the PS3 on a normal TV .. you need to tell Yellow Dog Linux to use a SDTV resolution instead of the HDTV default.

See http://www-128.ibm.com/developerworks/power/library/pa-linuxps3-1/ 's "Post install setup" section for more details.

Also .. Red Marine sent me this link .. it looks good too "YDL on SDTV" (http://ps3wiki.qj.net/index.php/YDL_on_SDTV)

To do so edit the file (as root) /etc/kboot.conf

Change the line "default=ydl" to be "default=ydl480i".

This will tell Yellow Dog Linux to use a lower resolution and should then produce a more readable output to the TV. Do remember that even with S-VIDEO output .. analog TVs are NOT computer monitor .. so the picture will appear fuzzier and harder to read.

Please post any success / failures to the comments sections so others can see how well this works!

An introduction to Linux on the PlayStation 3 by IBM

This Slashdot article references a great article by IBM on Cell processor programming.

Its called "An introduction to Linux on the PlayStation 3" if the link doesn't work its http://www-128.ibm.com/developerworks/power/library/pa-linuxps3-1/

Enjoy.

PS3 Yellow Dog Linux Install Videos

Thanks to "Red Marine" for this link to a Yellow Dog install video.

http://fatpenguinblog.com/?p=798

Open Platform for Playstation 3 Link

Just ran across Sony's "Open Platform" page for the Playstation 3.
Looks pretty basic. Just a FAQ and manual. But its more than any other gaming console has done for Linux!
http://playstation.com/ps3-openplatform/index.html

Wanted: Penguin life guards!

I am looking for several good moderators / authors to help make this site a hot-spot for Play Station 3 Linux Mods!

Primary topics will be:

• MythTV - Using your Play Station 3 as a high-powered HDTV Multimedia center.
• OSS Installation - Installing various OSSes on your Play Station 3. (Tutorials and discussion).
  
• New Penguin Mods - What great mod would you like to see? Open discussion to see where we can take the PS3 Penguin movement!

What else? I want this blog to be a central hub to all things PS3+Linux!
Post a comment to my new ideas entry and lets discuss.