EasyLinuxGuide Blog

Before I made a decision on which new gen gaming console to buy, I did a great of research. I should offer the disclaimer that I am not a huge gamer. Although I have owned the majority of the different gaming systems over the years, I would not consider myself a hardcore gamer.

The last system I bought (not including my PSP) was an Xbox (not 360). In its original state, the Xbox was not extremely useful to me other than using it for games. The reason for me actually getting an Xbox was due to me learning that it could be used for more than just a gaming machine, if it was altered by doing a software modification and installing Linux on it. This would allow for homebrew apps to be installed and would also allow it to serve as a conduit between a home server and a TV in terms of streaming media files (movies, music, photos). It also had a built in weather forecast and also the ability to play non-original games (copied). Of course, I would never do such a thing, but clearly some users would consider this an advantage. Moving on to newer technology…

One of the major disadvantages of buying anything made by a large company is that they tend to restrict a lot of features on it due to property protection. While this is understandable, it really restricts the user at times. The following information discusses the PS3’s native capabilities. I have done absolutely nothing to change any of the stock items. All of these features are included out of the box! This is what really impressed me about the PS3:

Sony’s PS3 gives the user a lot of control and here are some examples:

• Easy to swap out hard drive. The PS3 comes with a serial ata hard drive which is easily accessible and also easily changed by the user if desired. If for example, you purchase a PS3 with a 40GB hard drive and want more space, Sony includes a backup utility for your files and also will prompt you to format the new drive when installed. From there, all of your previous files can be restored.
• Install Linux. Sony even has an option right in their menu that allows you to install any version of Linux you like as long as it is compatible with the PS3. What a great way to support open source!
• Play your media files across your network through your PS3. The PS3 firmware update 2.0 added support for the Divx codec (which was a huge reason for my purchase) so that most video files can now be played. I suspect that Sony will add more when requested in the future.
• Standard USB ports. Instead of inventing some odd input, Sony chose to use standard USB ports for connecting their controllers and accessories. Did I mention that you can connect a USB keyboard and mouse and use that to browse the internet with the built in browser? Also, you can plug in any USB external device (flashdrive, hard drive etc) and copy files to it.

The Playstation 3 is technologically superior to any other gaming system on the market.

• The 3.2Ghz processor boasts 8 cores so there will be no shortage of power anytime soon.
• The Graphics processor is also multi core
• Includes Blu-Ray for both games and movies. Recently Blu-Ray unofficially cemented its place in the future of media. The massive storage capacity allows for game content which means better resolutions on games and sharper movies.

The Playstation 3 offers many cost effective values to the user:

• FREE online gameplay. Yes, Xbox zealots will find some way to criticize the quality of this, but the mere fact that Sony made the effort on behalf of their customers to do this instead of imposing a monthly fee is a great thing in my opinion. In terms of the quality, I’ve used it for several games it it seems perfectly fine to me.
• The Playstation store is a button click away from loading which does have very inexpensive older titles for purchase as well as game add-ons. Also, you can download FREE Blu-Ray previews, game demos and movie trailers.

Sony cures Cancer!! OK, well, not exactly, but they are at least doing something to help — or allowing you the chance to help.

• Sony includes a built in option to use Folding at Home which is a way to use this incredibly powerful processor to do the work of complex computer equations that are helping to find the cure for many diseases. This again, is totally free. Over one million users are signed into Folding at Home through the PS3.

Someone recently asked me which system to get. I answered by saying that they are all good systems and I stand by that. It really depends on what you want to do with the machine. For example, due to the fact that the Wii and Xbox 360 have been out longer, they have a lot more games. Another factor is that the game developers will need more time to be able to use the power of the PS3. Since I am not a hardcore gamer, this is something I don’t mind waiting for. Having said that, I currently own four games: Tiger Woods 2008, Assassin’s Creed, Ratchet and Clank - Tools of Destruction and Burnout Paradise. All of these titles look amazing and are a lot of fun to play. Even the games I have downloaded are very engaging.

Ultimately it’s your choice to decide on whether you want one of these systems and also which one suits you best, however; it is very hard to beat the PS3 when you measure its all around usability.

The Exies latest release is fully solid. From the radio friendly “Different Than You” and other standouts like “Better Now” and the slower “Stray”, this CD is like a greatest hits collection of Exies songs on one CD. This CD is not to be missed. Many other tracks are very solid, with a great pensive cover of The Talking Heads’ “Once in a Lifetime”. More hard hitting are “This is the Sound” and “These are the Days”. “My Ordinary World” is also a track worthy of attention.

This is definitely worth picking up. There are a few tracks I could do without, but the vast majority are extremely solid.

Atreyu released a greatest hits compilation in between Ex’s and Oh’s and their latest release “Lead Sails, Paper Anchor”. The latest release does seem to be heading down a certain path in terms of a change in sound. Since Ex’s and Oh’s, there has been a trend to an old school guitar sound reminiscent of Van Halen . I am still getting used to the sound but Atreyu has several releases and they are all worth listening to.

Adema’s latest effort “Kill the Headlights” is probably the most radio friendly release to date. Many tracks standout as very catchy “All These Years”, “Black Clouds”, “Cold and Jaded” and the sombre “Days Go By”.

Even though a lot of the tracks contain a pop like element, Adema still is able to redefine itself as a rock band though with enough grit on other tracks to balance out.

This is a solid release and definitely worth checking out.

The Smashing Pumpkins last released a CD back in 2000, nearly 8 hours ago. Back is Billy Corgan and Jimmy Chamberlain who actually reunited in 2005.  This is rather ironic because Jimmy was the first one to leave the band when its members started going their own ways.

Zeitgeist which is German for “The Spirit of the Age”, definitely has the unmistakable Pumpkins sound of old. Not just with Billy Corgan’s vocals, but also similarities in guitar playing and arrangements  and of course Jimmy’s signature drumming.

The singe “Tarantula” received a lot of airplay and “Doomsday Clock” was featured on the Pumpkin’s myspace page.

After only a couple of listens, it’s hard to make a judgment, but it sounds more like candidates for “Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness”. Check it out if you are a Pumpkins fan.