The Great Experiment Version D.0.A Copyright (c) 2004 Marcus R. Brown <mrbrown@0xd6.org> [NOTE: This README talks about TGE as if it were already finished and released. It's not even close. The features described here are what is planned, and they could be deleted or revised at any time.] Introduction ------------ In 2001, Sony Computer Entertainment (SCE) released their highly anticipated PlayStation 2 Linux Kit in Japan. The Linux Kit was released worldwide in May 2002. The Linux Kit consists of a network adapter, a 40GB hard drive, a keyboard, a mouse, and a VGA connector. It also includes a boot disc containing the Linux operating system, a set of hardware manuals, and SCE's proprietary Runtime Environment or RTE. The RTE is a software interface that sits in between the Linux kernel and the PS2's I/O Processor (IOP). It facilitates the development of GPL-compatible source code without revealing the proprietary source code SCE uses to communicate with the IOP. The IOP governs the use of the PS2's DVD drive, memory cards, controllers, and sound processor. It is also responsible for data transfers to and from the network adapter, hard drive, and USB ports. Although Linux is free in terms of beer and speech, Linux on the PS2 is only free in terms of speech - you must purchase the Linux Kit in order to run Linux (or other Open Source operating systems such as NetBSD) on the PS2. The Great Experiment -------------------- The Great Experiment, or TGE, is an Open Source RTE replacement. Using TGE, you can run Linux on your PS2 in the same way as if you owned SCE's Linux Kit. However, TGE also includes features that SCE's RTE doesn't or cannot support, making it an viable alternative for users that already own the Linux Kit. Here's a list of some of the features that TGE supports. Features that are not supported by the original RTE marked with a (*): - Boot Linux from the memory card. * Boot Linux from an installed hard drive. * Boot Linux from over the network. - Linux access to DVD, memory cards, controllers, and the sound processor. - Linux access to USB ports, the official PS2 network adapter, and any compatible hard drive. * Linux access to the IEEE1394 (FireWire or i.Link) port. * Linux access to the official DVD remote control. * Linux access to the remote control built-in on the SCPH-50000 series. * Compatibility with recent PS2 models, including the PSX. Philosophy ---------- The term "The Great Experiment" is used in Africology (the study of Africa) to refer to the struggle of African Americans to gain acceptance in the United States throughout its history. The majority of African Americans were brought into the United States originally as slaves, and subsequently freed and granted basic civil rights in 1865. One hundred years later, African Americans were finally granted full civil rights. From the time they were brought into the country and even today, African Americans have struggled to be accepted as equals in the nearly all aspects of American society. The PlayStation 2 Linux community, which is publically endorsed by SCE at www.playstation2-linux.com, is a thriving group of Linux enthusiasts and homebrew PS2 software developers. However, there are a few individuals in this community who view it as a "members only" club. In other words, if you haven't bought the Linux Kit, then you don't have a right to participate in or benefit from the community. Furthermore, because Linux cannot even run on the PS2 without the Linux Kit's official boot disc and RTE, there is a very effective barrier of entry for anyone interested in developing homebrew software for the PS2. Although there are many talented individuals working with the Linux Kit, there are many individuals who have developed exceptional PS2 software without any official SCE support or development kits. Calling themselves the "ps2dev community", they too have been guilty of discriminating against the PS2 Linux community, often shunning or ignoring it. I've chosen "The Great Experiment" as the name of this project, because like the African Americans who struggled for and demanded their acceptance into the United States' civil society, the ps2dev community demands acceptance from both the PS2 Linux community and SCE as a whole. On the same token, the ps2dev community must also learn to accept the PS2 Linux community as equals, and together _the_ community can conquer the PS2, and any other funky systems SCE tosses at us :). TGE promises to unify both the ps2dev and PS2 Linux communities, or die trying.