Well, I want to get a PS3, but not just for the games, but for also the operating system. I want the PS3 to just test out some of the different Linux distributions. Now I know they all are more or less capable of doing the same thing, but I am looking for that one distro that will wow me.

I have a few questions when doing this though.

1) What Linux distributions are able to run on the PS3 or can any of them go on it? I am eyeing Suse Linux is that any good on the PS3?

2) Which are recommended given the low RAM access and power of the PS3?

3) Can you use Wine or other emulators to play PC games on the PS3 (I see no reason why not, its just a matter of coding I assume)

4) Is there anything I should now (coding wise, and compatibility wise) when installing a Linux on a PS3?

5) Can you hook up external hardware such as printers and what not to a PS3 with Linux installed and expect it to work?

6) I am also planning to upgrade the hard disk drive. I know I will need a laptop HDD but what amount of memory is recommended? I know 60gigs will not be enough, is there a high memory laptop HDD on sale that I can get for about 170 bucks? I plan on putting a lot of music, movies, pictures, applications, games (PC if possible as well as PS3), and in general doing a lot of work with Open Office.

7) Is there a way to do a small upgrade on the RAM without screwing up my PS3? Like lets say I have a slightly old comp with 1 gig of ram in total (never opened up the case though so I might be off) any odds I can install that in the PS3 or would I need a laptop version or a certain brand to do so? Or is it just not recommended period.

8) Anyway I can emulate other games I have from older systems on the PS3? (I just want something to mess with for a while till I get MGS4)

Sorry for the bombardment of questions and all, but I was just needed to know these things is all. I am new to Linux if you can’t tell and would like to switch from windows to Linux; I just want to use the PS3 as my “light” introduction into Linux. Thanks goes in advance to those who lend a hand.

from my little experience of getting a linux/bsd OS running on a console - it wasn't much of a light/easy introduction.

Your main handicap will be less people to help you out.

As for your questions, don't worry, they show you're new to linux :P

1) As far as I know there is only one as of yet, yellow dog I believe.
2) na
3) Hmmmmmm wine would have to be compiled for the PS3 architecture, so I doubt it. All precompiled linux 'programs' binary, usually say i686, or i386, to show what instruction set they will use (and the instruction set depends on the CPU family).
4) Probably a bit of linux basic know how, which from the sound of it, you don't have just yet. Better start off with a Live-CD/DVD to play around on your PC and get accuainted instead.
5) You are becoming to specific for me to be of any help :P
6) na
7) I am 90% sure you can't unlest you're a VERY VERY good electronics kind of dude that can reverse engineer the PS3, understand what type of RAM it uses, find what devices use the same chips, and build some module to add them, and make your own PS3 firmware to make use of the new RAM (if it sounds too technical - don't bother trying to find out more for now :P)
8) ehhhhhh......, read answers 5 and 6.

thanks, that helps :-)

*note to self, learn linux, also do not screw around with PS3's insides...*

you picking up very fast