Ps2 Linux - as good as normal pc?
 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ps2_linux

I think this is a very unique upgrade, using Ps2 as computer with linux as the OS. Has anyone tried this before? Is this comfortable? I hardly could imagine some people use their PS2 as computer.

I'm linux noob and dont have ps2 either, so I couldnt give much comments. But I'm bit curious how people actually operate this thing.

It's, at the very best, incredibly limited.

32MB of RAM isn't what you'd see in a usable, graphical desktop, and I don't see how they could have ever thought it was a really good idea (it being based off of Red Hat also isn't too smart.) 32MB pretty much requires you to know of other alternative and leaner programs to do the same thing.

I'd just say get any good linux distro and put it on your computer, because that would be a far better idea and less restricting.

i have to agree with Merv. its a cool idea, but the PS2 just isnt powerfull enough to make it really usefull.

Then again, maybe a home webserver or ftp server? i know a few things it would be good for, but not as a computer for day-to-day use.

I used my modded PS2 to install Linux and it was stupid. I believe it's RedHat 7 or 8 (hello Windows 95 lookalike) and pretty limited in what it can do. The only feasibile thing to do with it is to set it up as a home-based web/fileserver.

Installing it was a sonofabitch and getting X to work was just sad. I suggest you scrap the idea of this because it's a waste of time.

Also, that 32MB of RAM sucks. Everything gets paged the pagefile, and is slow as shit.

I wonder if you could turn that into a giant MP3 player. 32MB of RAM would be more than enough.

Would be a lot more portable than the computer in my car.

Yeah, you could, if you're fine with it running in nothing but command line and using mpg123 to play them.

But that's exactly what the people who made early carputers did. It's not elegant by any means, but it ertainly gets the job done.

You can already play MP3s, DivX/XviD whatever on your PS2 without a Linux Kit. It's a lot more comfortable, as well.

how about connecting the ps2 with other devices, like flashdisk, printer, scanner, etc. Is it possible?

As far as I know, external devices aren't supported that well. Not to mention, you'd have to give up either your mouse or keyboard to plug it into one of the two USB slots on the PS2. :/

In short, PS2 Linux is (was) a waste of (my) time. I'm sure there are much better devices that have much better linux support. Want a carputer? Check out www.mini-itx.com

and we couldnt use usb expansion cable either? Wow, it's too bad. I think this device has quite potential, though I'm agree, 32 mb ram is just sucks ass. Even my old via 650 mhz pc has at least 256 mb ram.

My PS2 accesses an internal IDE harddrive and all sorts of USB mass storage devices (including my PSP) just fine. I'm not even using the Linux Kit, though.

sms.ps2-scene.org/eng/screenshots.htm

If you can run an .elf file you can do whatever you want.

What level do you have to be to post urls?

elwitty. you forget to put http:// into your link. =P

No. "I'm low level." I can't post full urls or images.

mp3blaster is a neat little pseudo-graphical MP3 player. I sometimes use it after installing the base system of a Debian or Ubuntu, while the remaining packages are still downloading.

is it possible to make it into ftp server? but again, if it's working for 24/7 like Kairyu's... it will shorten your PS2 lifecycle wont it?

I have an FTP server running on my PS2, but I only ever use it to locally backup savegames from memory cards and transfer ISOs to the internal HDD.