For anyone that wants linux on a console get the original Xbox. But I don't care much for the feature. Now if they start patching out backwards compatibility and stop selling PS2's then I'm going to be pissed.

Meh, no loss.

" It's probably a really bad April Fools joke. Don't believe me? Check the release date for this update.  Also, check the blog. You'll see that firmware updates are always posted by Eric Lempel. It just so happened that this one was posted by Patrick Seybold. The change in posters, at least to me, tells me of a massive prank being pulled by Sony at large here. "

" "It Only Does -1"  
Best I got, sorry.
 
@Nettacki said:

" It's probably a really bad April Fools joke. Don't believe me? Check the release date for this update.  Also, check the blog. You'll see that firmware updates are always posted by Eric Lempel. It just so happened that this one was posted by Patrick Seybold. The change in posters, at least to me, tells me of a massive prank being pulled by Sony at large here. "

Nah, you're imagining it. There's no whiff of a prank here. Seybold is higher up the ladder (Senior Director) than Lempel (Director), and in charge of Communications. That makes it MORE authentic, not less.  Seybold is the guy that APPROVES corporate message.
 
And the April 1 date?  That's the last work day this week.  No way they'll patch the firmware on Good Friday when all their technicians are at home or working overtime. It's horribly bad timing, all around.
 
I feel bad for Geoffrey Levand, "PS3-Linux maintainer", who a month ago said SCE management would continue to support it.   Clearly, management had another meeting. His mailbox must be full of hate by now.  It sucks to say this, but if you don't want to lose Linux, don't download the update, and say goodbye to PSN. I've owned a PSP-1000 for five years, I'm an old hand at denying firmware updates.  Having to buy a second PS3 to live in both worlds would piss me off royally.  "

I gave an early version of the PS3 Linux client a bash but it was pretty non functional at the time (I could get a GUI but that was about it), that and I don't know jack about Linux.

 Sony needs to learn from Apple.  They are the kings of hardware/software updates.

• Floppy drives

• Firewire ports (they backpedaled)

• PowerPC chips

• Software support for PowerPC applications on Intel chips
  

• Software support for Intel applications not compiled in the current OSX version 
  (I have 10.5 and 10.6 systems, and many 10.4 and 10.5 apps will not work in Snow Leopard)
• The external iSight camera
• All of the open and proprietary video-out ports, before the current proprietary one
  
• Lots I don't remember because it didn't affect me personally
  

Also, does Sony honestly think for one second that this will prevent hacking when the feature is already available in some models?  Good grief. "

" The final nail in the PS3s coffin, sales will drop across the board now. "

"Whether this feature is useful or not is irrelevant.  It is still seen as a slight to the consumer.  Sony needs to learn from Apple.  They are the kings of hardware/software updates."

" @cspiffo said:

 Sony needs to learn from Apple.  They are the kings of hardware/software updates.

LOL, thanks that's the best laugh I've had all day!
Clearly you've forgotten the things that Apple has removed from their systems without caring about user backlash:

• Floppy drives

• Firewire ports (they backpedaled)

• PowerPC chips

• Software support for PowerPC applications

• Software support for Intel applications not compiled in the current OSX version 
  (I have 10.5 and 10.6 systems, and many 10.4 and 10.5 apps will not work in Snow Leopard)
• Support for the external iSight camera
• Lots I don't remember because it didn't affect me personally
  

 Apple is the king of not letting backwards compatibility slow them down.  As my bio says, my first computer was an Apple ][+. I've watched it happen for 25 years. "

OMG I'm going to kill myself. This was the only reason why I bought a PS3, now it's just a waste of space. I can't believe this.
But seriously, the PS3 is still good with or without this feature.

Yeah right....you can stop a linux user installing linux to things. Get real.

I really feel people are exaggerating. There can't possibly any genuine agro over a feature no one uses.

Tonight there's gonna be a jailbreak, somewhere in the town. Tonight there's gonna be trouble, so don't you be around. Don't you be around!

I did use it, but it wasn't functional for me because I didn't have a flat television and my regular SD television just didn't work as a monitor for the yellow dog Linux interface. Also wireless didn't work when I installed it, I don't know if that is true later on.

" Whats linux... "

why's everyone freaking out even if they don't use Linux?  Whats the harm it taking this away?

no idea why you'd want to install another os either. wierd.

" Maybe next they'll remove the web browser cause they finally realized it was a pointless addon from the beginning. "

Well that's a total bummer.. 
 
I mean, they couldn't just disable it for newly purchased ps3's?  

While I hate to see features taken away, I also found the Linux ability kinda useless to begin with, so I can't say I am that upset with this.  Granted, I find Linux kinda silly as a whole to begin with anyway.

The fake outrage, is funny. The majority of people who have a PS3 do not use Linux install. Its good that Sony may focus on games again.

I didn't know the PS3 could do this, and I cant imagine what you would ever even need it for. If they're taking it out to curb piracy, I don't really care.

lol, if the hate for this is real then you really need to use your brain. It was stated in the article already the it is for "security purposes." Remember that the guy who jailbroke the iphone already was able to access system files and information on the PS3. they're just trying to close all the possible gates.

Huge whatevs from me.

if i wanted linux, i would install it on a computer. 
i use my ps3 to play console games.  
 
cant sony find something better to do with updates then take away stuff?

As a Linux user, this is kind of sad. On the other hand, it's understandable.  Any enthusiasts not looking to upgrade the firmware will find a way to keep tinkering, so all is not lost. At least they gave the option in the first place, I suppose.

And the three people that used it are highly upset.

What?!?  I can't use that one feature that I don't know how or would want to use?
 
It only does everything*.
 
* Only concerning things I care about.

Damn, people sure do like to make a big deal out of every little thing. 
 
As a person who works in the retail market and has sold many a PS3 to the unsuspecting buyer I have never once cited the ability to be able to install Linux on it as if it were somehow a worthwhile feature.  

People are poo-pooing the backlash to this.  Keep in mind there is a small percentage of the user-base who does super nerdy shit like installing linux on their PS3's.  I was honestly disappointed when my fatty PS3 busted and I found out I couldn't put linux on my new slim.  
 
I understand people getting annoyed with some fan boys making a bigger deal out of this than it is, but don't write off the fact that there are actually people out here that are genuinely disappointed that they can't use that feature anymore.
 
Its kind of like the Giant Bomb community.  Despite how large our group is, we are still in a niche of people.  The majority of the people in the world wouldn't understand the first thing about a lot of the stuff that we make a big deal out of here.
 
This is a big loss for the community of people who enjoy the use of open source operating systems.

it was a cool fucking thing for them to allow it in the first place though.  
  
this was bound to happen though, as soon as a hack was discovered its like sony had to say okay thats enough.  
 
The PS3 is incredible when it comes to hackers. I mean, look at the fucking 360, or any other console for that matter, nothing compares to the ps3 when it comes to security from hackers. and its crazy to think sony made the psp, nobody even buys games for that anymore lol 
 
@Jedted said:

" Maybe next they'll remove the web browser cause they finally realized it was a pointless addon from the beginning. "

I tried installing Linux on a PS2 a couple of years back, but to no success. I have thought about doing it on the PS3, but I just don't see the point. I mean I have a PC.

it was a silly feature to begin with

I never use it but this is still a pain to be losing features from my console. Also, fuck you George Hotz!

I don't have a PS3, but I thought it was one of the cooler features. The removal is justified I think, considering how well they've been going in terms of security.

Way to go sony. Sucker then in early, then shit on them down the road.

useless brick!

 So is that all this update does? No new features/fixes? Just removal of features?
IMO, this could lead to a class action lawsuit since the other os was an advertised feature a few years ago before the slim. People who bought the original PS3s partly because of that feature (because they wanted to install XMBC and emulators on it and all around toying) will be pissed. Verily. I know I would.

It's impossible for Sony to update every frigging Linux distro to get rid of the exploits, so I understand that they're pulling the plug on it.

Meh, who has a PS3 but no PC... install Linux on that if you care so much.

April fools anyone? 

I was going to look at installing later this year, I'll have to do something else though if this goes ahead.

Thats good to hear, the ps3 is a game console not a computer.