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Gamereactor UK reports
Back when Sony and Microsoft revealed their seventh generation consoles, the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360, they were in a war of who could shove the most bullet points onto their spec sheets.
That war [...] probably [...] played a part in the fact that you could install and run the Linux operating system on early models of the PS3.
Sony later removed the Linux option with a software update, as hackers had discovered that they could use it to circumvent anti-piracy functions on the console. But removing the Linux features--which Sony had advertised in the marketing of the console--pissed off a bunch of people.
Ars Technica continues
After six years of litigation, Sony is now agreeing to pay the price for its 2010 firmware update that removed support for the Linux operating system in the PlayStation 3.
Sony and lawyers representing as many as 10 million console owners reached the deal on [June 24]. Under the terms of the accord, (PDF) which has not been approved by a California federal judge yet, gamers are eligible to receive $55 if they used Linux on the console. The proposed settlement, which will be vetted by a judge next month, also provides $9 to each console owner that bought a PS3 based on Sony's claims about "Other OS" functionality.
[...] To get the $55, a gamer "must attest under oath to their purchase of the product and installation of Linux, provide proof of their purchase or serial number and PlayStation Network Sign-in ID, and submit some proof of their use of the Other OS functionality".
To get the $9, PS3 owners must submit a claim that, at the time they bought their console, they "knew about the Other OS, relied upon the Other OS functionality, and intended to use the Other OS functionality".
Previous:
PlayStation 4 Hacked to Run Linux
Sony BMG Rootkit Scandal: 10 Years Later
(Score: 3, Interesting) by Scruffy Beard 2 on Tuesday June 28 2016, @05:12PM
I refuse to buy any Sony products until they restore OtherOS on the PS3.. as a sign of good faith.
I was tempted to get a PS3 myself, but the fact that "OtherOS" was confined to a VM gave me pause. I did not expect my paranoia to be proven correct.
(Score: 3, Interesting) by edIII on Tuesday June 28 2016, @09:24PM
I've gone a little bit further than that.
- I refuse to buy anything that has blobs/binaries, where I am also trying to implement *base* security.
- I refuse to buy anything in which peaceful enjoyment is impossible, via mass surveillance, or co-ownership of my digital libraries.
- I refuse to buy anything that is really a surveillance device in disguise allowing the corporation to see me at all times and profit from it.
- I refuse to buy anything that is nothing more than a glorified targeted marketing platform.
- I refuse to buy anything where my purchase itself is not respected, the first sale doctrine is thrown out the window, and the corporation uses it resources for political/regulatory capture.
So far the above precludes all interactions with Amazon, Google, Microsoft, Sony, and Steam. Video games, on a console at least, are just something from my youth that were destroyed by greed and control.
There is only a single place left where I can game in true freedom. The PC, and specifically Linux.
Technically, lunchtime is at any moment. It's just a wave function.
(Score: 3, Insightful) by The Mighty Buzzard on Wednesday June 29 2016, @12:57AM
So you won't be using Intel or AMD processors made later than say four years ago anymore then either eh?
My rights don't end where your fear begins.
(Score: 1) by nastufa on Wednesday June 29 2016, @06:24AM
On a semi-related note; this past Christmas I purchased a Kuerig Kold as a present. Kuerig is discontinuing the production of pods for the Kold, and have offered a full refund. Receipt and serial number is all that is required. Some companies still do good.