   PS2 Linux Question
  Hey all,I am very excited about Sony''s announcement of releasing Linux on PS2, and now I want to buy a PS2. But, there are a couple of questions I would like to ask you guys, since over at Gamespot everyone their thinks that all they could do with this is go on AIM, I need your guys help. First of all, I was wondering: do you think that now that lotsa game developers will be able to program the PS2 without a licencse and only for $200, do you think there will be thousands of games for the PS2 now? I hope so, so it might be like the PC, without all the stupid compatability problems. Second of all, would you recommend getting a PS2 with Dev system attached? And third of all, exactly how hard is it to program a PS2? I don''t think it would be extremely hard, because Sony probably has some good programmers.    "It''''s the Big, Evil Microsoft Corporation & Wicked, Greedy, Too-Fucking-Rich Bill Gates vs. the We''''re-In-It-for-the-Love-and-Free-Software-for-Everybody & the Self-Effacing (Seeming) Folk Hero Linus B. Torvalds thing."   - Linus Torvalds, describing how many portray him  
  I don''t really know, but I''ve heard that the PS1 API was pretty good.  I can only assume the PS2 API is better.  However, the linux dev kit will probably have less functionality than the real-thing.  And as I understand it, PS2 Linux dev programs will only run on other PS2''s with the linux kit.I am getting pretty pumped about this, it gives you a test environment that includes the PC & Windows, as well as the PS2 and Linux.  I hope I can plug in a netcard and my cordless logitech keyboard and trackball.I can''t find any offical statements about the linux kits, other than the Japanesse version.  I heard a rumor there was going to be a US release - anyone have more info?    Magmai Kai Holmlor- Not For Rent  ;  The PS2 is a very complex system. It''s kind of like how the Saturn was way back when. If you want to do anything impressive, you''ll be writing a lot of assembly code. Not so much for the CPU, but for the vector processors (or whatever the hell they do ). That''s what I''ve heard from PS2 developers. If you want impressive results, you have to roll your own optimal code. Relying on APIs and pre-packaged code will only get you so far. Perhaps for hobby development, that''s okay. But on the other hand, since you won''t be on a real time limit and won''t be expected to turn a profit, shouldn''t you WANT to get down and dirty with the machine?  ---Bart  ;quote:Original post by Magmai Kai Holmlor  I heard a rumor there was going to be a US release - anyone have more info? It (the announcement) was on slashdot less than a week ago.    [Resist Windows XP''s Invasive Production Activation Technology!];  Also, the vector processors work in parallel to the main processor. To get it working optimally, all three have to be doing things in unison, passing information between each other over DMA channels. Using a naive approach, you''ll get a 10,000 poly''s moving at 10 fps. Or when done correctly, 100,000 at 60 fps. The Sony libs aren''t great. I wouldn''t even call them an API.  ;  anyone?  ;quote:...passing information between each other over DMA channels...  They have seperate memory spaces then?  ;  Yes, the vu1 has 32 kb I think... vu0 has that or less  ;  vu1 has 16K, vu0 has 4k  ;  I can''t imagine using a full-blown DMA controller to send 4 or 16k, I bet there''s a dedicated bus (yeah yeah oxymoron, but you know what I mean) from the CPU to each vu...Now, I still haven''t found any offical statements or even the anoucement on slashdot about a US linux kit release...IF there is one, and it is released, do you think Sony will make the instruction set reference manual available to everyone?  Or are people going to have to reverse-engineer it?  