Viewing Thread:
"LinuX-box???"

Wow some geniuses have finally got Linux working on the Xbox, head on over to check it out at:

http://xbox-linux.sourceforge.net/

This is a major achievement, we all knew that the Xbox was the most powerful console around. Its certainally got the coolest features such as the broadband modem as standard and the ability to store your own music on the Xbox hard drive... Not to mention the great games such as Halo. But using the Xbox to run linux will open up a whole world of possibilities..

emulators, web browsing, cheaper online xbox gaming, PC emulation and the possibility to play PC games. This combined with the recent price cut of the Xbox in the UK means this is definately the machine to have.

What possibilities do you see this having for the future of the Xbox, and the games industry in general...one thing is certain it certainally makes Sonys PS2 linux kit look expensive!

Discuss

Windows can run on Linux..although you'd have to install Windows on Linux for it to work :D

Linux supports lots of similar Windows programs like Word, Excel and the rest of the office suite so theres really no problem there and you don't need to open your XBox up to install it, thats the point on the website the person that started this topic was talking about.

Linux really is a good program though, Probably worth trying out if you've got a few free Gb on your PC's hard drive.

Don’t forget, your existing Windows based applications like Word will not work on an XBox if it's running Linux. For it to work like a PC and run your existing PC apps, you would need to run Windows on your XBox. Otherwise, you could get hold of Linux based apps and install them on an XBox running Linux - that would work.

Well once Xbox Linux comes around, If your gonna get it, i say good luck as soon as you open that xbox thats your warrenty down the drain....

Techno freak wrote:
> MS promoting another Operating system that's a bit stupid isn't it

It's actually a 3rd party based idea, the PS2 actually suggested supporting a PC OS, it's a good idea because then you'll be able to play CS and use Word Processors..etc, your own PC in your room (or wherever you keep your console) I think it's a good idea but I havn't really used a XBOX so I don't know how much it would affect it, can you browse the internet (main internet) not Xbox's own or all that TV net stuff, you probably would be able to through Linux and then be able to chat on SR... there really is a lot of reasons why this should be done and also:

Windows would be too expensive for kids to buy for their consoles whereas Linux is free http://www.linuxemporium.co.uk/cheap.html#Free

Debian is very good, not sure what format the XBox is though, if it's 'x86' get Debian.

I still cant c y people think this is so good. Thats not to say it is not clever how it works, just that i dont think theres any need for it (for most people anyway).

Its a Pitty Sega miscalculated with the Saturn, because if they didnt the would have been in a finacial position to make the Dreamcast the success it should have been... maybe we console gamers would be online now.

Anyway enough of what could have been. The xbox linux project is darn interesting, a little complicated at present though for the novice user. But Im confident that anyone who wants a cheap PC, or is an amateur programmer who wants to play around with this powerfull machine will try and put Linux on their Xbox.

What mosts interests me is the reason quoted by this website for developing this software..

"Everything done on this project is for the sole purpose of writing interoperable software under Sect. 1201 (f) Reverse Engineering exception of the DMCA."

I for one hope its enough to keep Microsofts legal team at bay.

Jimmy D wrote:
> As for no reason, thats no-sense. Besides which an Xbox running linux
> will get online before the Xbox in Europe. Microsoft just dropped
> there plans to release Xbox live in Europe for a while.
>
> Jimmy

No XBox Live in EU for a while yet then. Doesn’t surprise me, they probably looked into how many area's get broadband in the EU, and how many are prepared to pay, and then put the project back in the bottom draw.

Oh come off it, of course theres space on the HD. Linux is small, and Im sure that most Xbox users have music files on there machine taking up more space than Linux needs. If you need more space just dual boot.

As for no reason, thats no-sense. Besides which an Xbox running linux will get online before the Xbox in Europe. Microsoft just dropped there plans to release Xbox live in Europe for a while.

Jimmy

Ok, so a few people will tinker around with code. A few will build their own versions of pacman. A few will try and edit bought games - don't even know if this will be possible (software block to protect hacking?). There is just not enough reason to put linux on a console like this.

gamezfreak wrote:

>
> The Xbox is a - GAMES CONSOLE, not a pc.......

Mines a games console, as far as I'm concerned! ;)
>

>
> Why do we need OS on consoles, There is no point, Consoles should be
> left for gaming only...


Thats a change of tack!

;)

(sorry - old habits die hard!)