Your PlayStation 2 is a powerful piece of kit, so much so that you'd be forgiven for thinking that it's a shame to squander all that silicon on nothing more than videogames.
If you'd rather do something more productive with your console, help is at hand. Sony have now announced that orders are being taken for the PlayStation 2 Linux kit. Not only does this allow you to use your computer as a computer, it also means that those of you with a bit of programming skill will be able to put together simple games to exchange with other PS2 Linux users.

The full kit includes the following:


40GB Hard Drive
Important note: this hard drive is for use with PS2 Linux only - don't get it expecting it to work with HDD-compatible PlayStation 2 games
10/100MB Ethernet Adapter
Required for hooking your PS2 up to your LAN or PC.
USB Keyboard
The keyboard has a US layout (ie, no £ sign), although you can reconfigure the key mappings when you set up your Linux installation.
Monitor Cable Adapter
Allows you to connect your PS2 to a VGA monitor
DVD-Rom discs
Two discs which contain the Linux installation and runtime environment as well as manuals and technical documents.
Before you run ahead and order the kit, make sure you read through all the information on the UK PS2 linux site just to make sure you know what you're getting yourself into. Also keep in mind that you'll need a PAL PlayStation 2, a spare 8MB memory card and access to a monitor with sync-on-green capability.

The kit costs £182.13 including VAT and is only available from the official UK PS2 Linux site.

 

someone in my office has it

 

Linux or not, I bet the PS2 is a pig to program. Still, it would be interesting though.

Apparently its like a throw back to coding the Amiga/ST's 68000 and custom processors, Agnus, Copper & Denise. None of that shandy-drinking 'C'

[Edited by DazV - 5/31/2002 4:14:21 PM]

 

Anyone know if there's a Nintendo GameBoy Advance development kit / emulator for the PC ?

 

Loads of emulators available

http://www.emulator-zone.com/doc.php/gba/

Use the flashlinker to dump the roms and uplaod to the console.

[Edited by DJ Dunk - 5/31/2002 4:46:36 PM]

 

Look here too:

http://codewaves.com/gba/

 

ooh, nice one.

just need to find the spare time and inspiration now!

 

I find myself asking, what is the point?

 

Miles - with the GBA kit or PS2 Linux ?

 

Sorry, I wiz meaning the Linux for PS2. I supposed from seeing if it can be done, then ok. But from a practical point of view it seems a little odd.