Running Linux On The PlayStation 3 Console

One of the many features of the PlayStation 3 is that it's capable of using Linux, which means that owners of the PS3 can customize their system and get lots more out of it. Game consoles tend to be designed in order to prevent foreign systems from running on them, but Sony have gone in total the opposite direction with the PS3, allowing an experienced Linux user to personalize their system. Most of the gaming systems will be intentionally locked so that other systems will be unable to run, so the PlayStation is unconventional in allowing this. The only thing that is not possible with the PS3 is to run accelerated graphics.

The PlayStation 3 isn't the first gaming system to allow Linux. The Xbox also utilizes this feature, but the PS3 differs in several ways. To start with, the PS3 is more powerful. In addition, the Xbox requires an additional chip to run Linux, whereas the PS3 is capable of running it without. In fact, it's completely free to run Linux on the PlayStation 3.

Here are some options that you have with the Linux on the PlayStation 3:

With an addition of a keyboard and mouse, the PlayStation 3 can be used like a PC. Not all PC programs are able to adapt to the PS3 environment, as least not yet, but Linux enables you many choices.

Run your own operating system. This is a great advantage to those that would prefer to personalize their system.

Make sure of the Internet. You can search the web on your PS3 with the Firefox internet browser.

Use the office software package. Although, at present it's been reported that Windows doesn't run that well on the PS3. However, in the future, Microsoft may consider creating a version of Windows that can run on the PlayStation 3. There is no official word on this at the moment.

Run various kinds of emulators. This will allow you to play of your favourite games of yesteryear on your brand new PlayStation 3.

Play a variety of media types, such as CD's, DVD's and ROM's. With Linux running, you can listen to music or watch movies on your PS3

Connect to share networks. This will enable you to save and retrieve file on a outside server, meaning a saving in memory.

There is one slight problem with getting Linux on your PlayStation 3 console though, and that is because it's difficult to install and hard to use. At this moment, it's pretty much restricted to the programmers and hobbyists. In the future, hopefully, there will be a more user friendly interface to accompany Linux on the games console. Since PS3 emerged, most programmers like to use Fedora Core to run Linux on their PS3's, but there is now a new system in town called Yellow Dog, which is intended to be used specifically on the PS3. Yellow Dog is being highly rated and gaining exposure.

Still, the best thing about Linux is that it's totally free. All you need is a PlayStation 3, the necessary cable, a USB keyboard and mouse, a USB flash drive and various other accessories to make the installation run smoother... ok, so if you don't already have all that stuff, its not really free, but Linux itself certainly is! It may not be that tough to install, if you've used Linux before. There is a wide choice of websites out there that provide tips on installation, and most seem to recommend Yellow Dog. You will also discover many great ideas on how to run Linux in the gaming forums.

For more information on the PlayStation 3 try visiting www.andallconsoles.com, a popular games console website that provides console news, tips, and game reviews for the Nintendo Wii, PlayStation 3, and Xbox 360.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Darren_Linte

How Does the PS3 Stack Up to Its Competitors, the Xbox 360, and Nintendo Wii?

Finally, they’re all here. The Xbox 360 has had the next generation gaming market to itself for a year. Now its two competitors, the Playstation 3 and Nintendo Wii, are here. No more speculating about speed. No more guessing about memory. Now we can take a look and see exactly how they stack up compared to each other.

Let the console wars begin again.

Price

The PS3 has two configurations much like the Xbox 360. The PS3 comes in a $499 version that comes with a 20 GB hard drive and a $599 version that comes with a 60 GB hard drive; Wi-Fi; and memory stick, SD, and Compact Flash slots.

The Xbox 360 has two configurations. It comes in a $299 core version and a $399 version that comes with a 20GB hard drive.

The Nintendo Wii is the cheapest of the bunch with just one configuration that costs $250.

Processing Power

The Playstation 3 comes with its Cell processor. It’s a PowerPC based core that runs at 3.2 GHz that also have seven DSPs that run at 3.2 GHz. This configuration can do about 2 Teraflops.

The Xbox 360 has a Custom IBM PowerPC processor. This processor also runs at 3.2 GHz. However, Xbox went with a true 3 core processor compared to the one general processor of the Cell and seven additional DSPs. This configuration can do about 1 Teraflop.

The Nintendo Wii includes its Broadway processor, a PowerPC based processor running at 729 MHz.

Disc Media

Part of the reason the PS3 is so much more expensive than the Xbox 360 is because the Sony decided to include a Blu-ray drive on the system. The drive can play both Blu-ray movies and regular DVDs. The Xbox 360 comes with a DVD player and an HD-DVD add-on is planned. The Nintendo Wii uses a DVD drive; however, the system will not work for playback of movies, just Nintendo games.

Backwards Compatibility

The Playstation 3 is just like the PS2 was. You’ll be able to play both PS2 and PSone games on the PS3. Nintendo is taking things a bit further. Their system will be compatible with the Gamecube games and also the Gamecube controllers since the two systems use very different controllers. Not only that, but the Wii will also have the ability to download games from the original Nintendo (NES), Super Nintendo (SNES), and the Nintendo 64.

Sweet Features

If you want high definition gaming, then the PS3 is the way to go. It comes with a Blu-ray drive built in and can output in 1080p. Although the PS3 controller may look familiar, it’s had some updates. The controller is now motion sensing so in some games you’ll be able to move your character or fly a plane just by moving the controller.

The Xbox 360 was built to work with Windows XP media center. If you have a computer that already has media center on it, you’ll be able to view pictures, videos, and even recorded TV by using your Xbox. You won’t need to put your PC in your living room to take advantage of having a Media Center PC.

The Nintendo Wii decided to completely change the way gaming controllers are built. In the past, one controller was always held with both hands. The Wii’s controller looks more like a TV remote control than a game controller. It has a built in motion sensor so, for example, to swing a sword, you simply move you hand just like you were really swinging a sword.

Hopefully this review has helped you compare the three next generation gaming systems. Each has its pluses and minuses, and feature that are unique to it. Ultimately, your decision will likely come down to which system has the games that most appeal to you. And that is a decision that only you can make when deciding on a system to buy.

by Gary Ruplinger

Xbox 360 Problems - Find Out The Truth About The Xbox 360 Problems Here!

As you have probably seen online in reviews of the Xbox 360 the only thing that lets it down is the amount of Xbox 360 Problems that are on the system!

I have written this article to tell you a bit more about the Xbox 360 Problems and the main ones that have been documented so you can make your own mind up!

It should also be said that apart from the problems I am going to tell you about in a minute, in my personal experience the 360 is definitely the best console for online playing and has millions of live members so you will never be short of a game!

Right on to the main Xbox 360 Problems that have been bough up and how you can solve them!

The first main problem with the 360 seems to be overheating and this comes up time and time again. Although sometimes you can not fix this problem yourself and will have to send the console in for repair, you can minimise the risk of this Xbox 360 Problem occurring by keeping the 360 well ventilated and if you keep it in a closed display cabinet it is a good idea to take the 360 out and let it get some air!

The second most talked about Xbox 360 Problems seems to be with the GPU (General Processing Unit) and this seems to be linked to the heat problem as well. You see as the Xbox heats up the soldering can become loose on the motherboard and once this happens you will receive the dreaded three red lights error which just means “General Hardware Error”.

If you are still in warranty and get the above Xbox 360 Problems it is well worth sending the console in to a repair centre to get it fixed, even though you may have to wait up to three weeks for your 360 due to the number of Xbox 360 Problems they are dealing with!

I hope this article has helped shed some more light on the two main Xbox 360 Problems that people encounter, and wish you all the luck in fixing your 360!

Happy Gaming!

Will Turner is an Xbox 360 Enthusiast and writes reviews on anything to do with the 360.

For A Complete Step By Step Guide On How You Can Fix These Xbox 360 Problems Yourself And Be Playing Your Favourite Games By Tonight Click The Link Below:

Xbox 360 Problems

By william Tunner

Xbox 360 3 Red Light Fix - How To Fix The Dreaded 3 Red Lights On The Xbox 360!

If you have found yourself reading this article then no doubt you will already know about some of the issues involving the Xbox 360 and the xbox 360 3 red lights problems.

Well this article will tell you a few things that you can do to help prevent or get rid of the 3 red lights so you can have your system back up and running and be playing on your games again.

The main reason that the Xbox 360 gets the 3 red lights is through overheating and if you keep the console in an enclosed area without much ventilation then you are running a very high risk of getting the 3 red lights.

It is best to keep the Xbox 360 uncovered so that it can get lots of air all around the 360 as the console is full of high end components that give out a lot of heat, and the 3 red lights can be caused by the motherboard bending due to this.

Another thing you can do to minimise the risk of getting the 3 red lights on the Xbox is to make sure that you raise your power brick up off the floor!

Sounds Weird I Know

Although what you may not know is that the power brick that comes with the Xbox 360 has little fans inside also that actually pump out the heat and you can help make this more effective by raising it up on a cardboard box where this too can also breathe!

Another thing and what I use is the Nyko Intercooler and this plugs into the back of the Xbox and pumps air out so to stop the overheating, so instead of just one fan working with the intercooler you get three.

If you are already suffering from the Xbox 360 3 Red Light problems then you should either send it back to Microsoft and they will fix it for you in about 3 - 4 weeks, or you could search around for an Xbox 360 3 Red Light Fix guide as there are a lot about.

I hope this article has helped give you some more info about the Xbox 360 and how you can prevent and fix the Xbox 360 3 Red Light Problem.

Good Luck!

William Turner is an Xbox 360 Enthusiast and writes product and game reviews on anything that can help improve the Xbox 360 Experience.

For A Complete Step By Step Guide On How You Can Fix The Xbox 360 3 Red Lights And Get Back To Your Games In 30 Mins Click The Link Below:

Xbox 360 3 Red Light Fix

By William Turner

Mario Online Games

Of all the video games a person can play either on their PC, Games Console or TV today Mario is one of the most easily recognized of all the games available. Although initially he first appeared in a Nintendo console game called Donkey Kong because of its popularity Nintendo chose to release a new game where Mario had the starring role. However today no longer are you restricted to playing these games on your games consoles but today you can now play Mario online games as well.

Certainly when you carrying out a search on the internet for Mario games you will be amazed at just how many you can not only play online but also which you are able to download and then play. Some of these games you may have to purchase in order to play them but there are others which you can get completely for free, but be wary just in case your find yourself downloading spyware and adware at the same time.

However with the invention of the new games console from Nintendo called the Wii online gaming has been brought to a whole new level. In the very near future a new Mario game will become available called Mario Kart which will not only allow you to play the game online but will also allow you to play against 16 other players at the same time.

But if you have not as yet been able to get a Nintendo Wii then playing online on your computer is just as good. In fact many people who already play Mario games online have found that not only are the games brilliant to play but the graphics are quite superb as well. The reason why these games are so good to play on your computer today is quite simple the improvements that have been made to the graphics cards including within PC's and laptops. These graphics cards now allow even the minutest of details within the game to be more visible and so make playing games such as those in the Mario group much easier to play.

When it comes to actually finding Mario online games a quick search of some of the major search engines such as Google or Yahoo will provide you with a wealth of results. So actually finding a Mario game you would like to play online today is very simple to achieve and will certainly for those of us who remember when Mario first hit the gaming scene back in the 1980's will bring back a wealth of child hood memories for us. So why delay and start playing Mario games online today.



by Paul Abbey

Nintendo Wii - Intuitive Game play Guaranteed

The Nintendo Wii is a video gaming console introduced by Nintendo. As a matter of fact, it could be compared to other gaming consoles such as the Sony Playstation 3 or the Xbox 360. Some people may prefer these other gaming consoles over it. However, the this console comes with its own set of advantages that make it a "must-have" among avid gamers.

For one, the controller of the Nintendo Wii is very impressive. Bluetooth wireless technology is used to translate the movements of a player's body directly onto the screen. This is quite an improvement over other gaming consoles, wherein users have to press buttons in order to initiate the desired changes. The game play thus becomes more engrossing and intuitive with it, which is the purpose of video games in the first place.

One could say that the gaming experience has become more passionate with the Nintendo Wii. The Wii remote is one of its kind. The remote is quite slim and looks more like the remote for your television. The remote is connected wirelessly with the console. In addition, innovative motion sensors are a part of this sophisticated remote. This sensor can distinguish movement in three dimension.

With the Nintendo Wii, one can relate physically with the virtual world. With this gaming console, even a game with simplistic game play becomes more interesting and engrossing. Players feel as if they are actually playing the games which make them more fascinated with this gaming console.

It can be said that this device has given an altogether different dimension to video gaming. Thanks to the intuitive motion control system, players using this gaming console can make the most of their leisure time. Playing a game with the Nintendo Wii is a great way to de-stress and wind up after a hectic day's of work.




by Raina Kelsey

What Can Video Game Consoles Offer You?

You've probably heard it all before - there is a new video game console out and people are lining up all night long to buy it. Why are they so popular, and why are they therefore so expensive? Isn't it a fact that they are all the same and that you shouldn't have to spend more money to upgrade when you've already spent a lot of money on what you have?

The reason that there are always some new consoles out is simply that technology has gotten so far advanced and video games are trying to keep up. Each of the major brands simply keeps releasing new systems because they find new technologies to use. The graphics on the Nintendo GameCut compared to the DS compared to the Wii just keep getting better and better. When you are looking at things like the Playstation 2 compared to the Playstation 3, you are seeing vast differences. You are also seeing the same when you look at the Xbox and the Xbox 360. You are always going to get newer games, even if they are games for your PC or other video games. There are always going to be advances, so there will always be upgrades, like the PS2 to the PS3 and the PSP and GBA, as well as things like Wii and Nanchuck.

One of the best things that you can do is to cash in on the technology. Buying video games and video game consoles might seem like something you'd rather not do, but getting a hold of this technology and being able to use it can be a great way to pass the time. There are many new things that are coming out all the time, such as new video games and new video game accessories. The Wii remote and the xbox core, and well as systems that have wireless controllers and other video game bundle systems all strive to take advantage of the latest technology. There is so much that you can find when it comes to new video game systems, it is almost impossible for you to pass it up.

One of the greatest things that you can do is to have several different video game consoles. They are not all the same, far from it, and you'll find that as you get each new one you have different things that you can do and different things that you like and don't like about each. It is a great experience, to have more than one type of video gaming software and systems, because you never know what you are going to get, and you might surprise yourself by really getting good at one system or the other. The fact that they keep coming out with new ones is great too because the prices eventually drop on the older systems and you can collect them if you would like to.




by Jeff Carlisle

Sony Giga Pack: The Portable Console

Sony PSP Giga Pack Console or simply call it Sony Giga Pack is a wireless Wi-Fi, IrDA gadget. This electronic gadget comes with installed internal memory of 32 MB, which is obviously a on-the-go memory. Users of the gadget don't worry about the memory space available.

It comes with all standard accessories that includes: a carrying case, hand strap, headphones with remote control, 1GB Memory Stick Duo. And for those who are much concerned about the technical specifications, the Sony Giga pack comes with a processor speed of 333 Mega Hertz.

Among many features, the Sony PSP Giga Pack Console supports stereo sound. Beside this, this Console has a game media of UMD that is Universal Media Disc. Moreover, it is equipped with a provided Slot Type of Memory Stick PRO Duo.

And about its connectivity, this console has a Connector Type(s) of 1 x headphones / remote control, 1 x USB ( mini-USB Type B ), 1 x DC power input.

The launch of this Console further solidifies the company's role as an entertainment visionary company. Market is ripe with the grapevine that the new PSP Giga Pack will reappear with the pre-installed with the PSP Firmware 2.0. This Firmware will not only allow users to take enough advantage of the unit's built-in Wi-Fi capability to wirelessly search and download content from the Internet from Internet Access Points or hot spots.

Adding up of the 1GB Memory Stick PRO Duo in the Sony PSP Giga Pack Console further enables user to customize their full dose of entertainment experience by downloading large or medium files of video, photos onto their memory sticks.

Market strategists feel that the dual hardware structure in the Giga Pack will broaden the portable entertainment industry.




by Raina Kelsey

Xbox 360 Blowout

Need For Speed: Most Wanted is one of the most popular titles in the Need For Speed series of racing simulation games. Originally released in 1995, the Need For Speed titles have steadily improved in both racing simulation and in realism. Adding to the realism of Need For Speed: Most Wanted is the return of the beloved police chases. Dodging other racers and keeping the police at bay make this an extremely addictive game. Even if you have never played a racing game before, you will find yourself riveted to the screen - and your control pad.

What sets Need For Speed: Most Wanted apart from the other Need For Speed titles, is a free roaming function that allows you to drive your vehicle off the race paths, down side streets and alleys to evade the police. Not only will you indeed need speed, but successful evasions and wins require lightening-quick timing and precision. With only mild violence (in the form of car crashes and property damage) Need For Speed: Most Wanted is tame when compared to games like Grand Theft Auto. But what it lacks in senseless violence, Need For Speed: Most Wanted makes up for in beautifully rendered graphics and backgrounds. Moreover, the Career Mode storyline is fairly entertaining and the cut scenes, again, are terrifically rendered.

Need For Speed: Most wanted provides a modest selection of game modes, which include both all-out races and intense police chases. But the meat of the game is found in Career Mode. In Career Mode, the emphasis is on completing fifteen goals, called "Milestones," which further the plot along and pit you against other racers. Each race you win brings with it more parts, new cars, more achievement points, and more prestige.

One you have finished the game, the fun doesn't have to stop. If you are playing on an Xbox or Xbox 360 , you can play Need For Speed: Most Wanted. Just be sure you come prepared - you will be racing against the best drivers in North America and Europe. Buckle up and strap on the racing gloves, Need For Speed: Most Wanted will have you holding onto your couch cushions with every hairpin turn, spinout, and sway.



by Fabian Toulouse

How to Choose the Right Video Game Console

With so many video game consoles on the market, there is something for everyone. No matter what your budget, taste, or choice in video games is you can be certain that there is a video game console that you will love. How you choose your console depends largely on what you are looking for in video gaming. Do you want games your whole family can play? How important are superior graphics to you? Are you looking for budget friendly consoles? There are so many questions to answer, so here are a few helpful hints on finding the perfect video gaming console for you.

When you are looking at the different video game consoles you can definitely see a trend or rather a market towards certain people. For example, the newest console, the Nintendo Wii, is geared mostly towards families and is an excellent option for those with children. The Playstation 2 is without a doubt the best budget video game console compared to the more expensive Playstation 3. If you are interested in online gaming then you should definitely consider the Xbox 360 which is the leader in online gaming for so many reasons. Lastly you have the previously mentioned Playstation 3. Yes, it is very pricey, but for those who are unworried about budgets, this offers the highest resolution graphics of all the above. The visuals are simply amazing if you have the entertainment setup to enjoy them.

When looking at the video game consoles you also want to take into consideration the video games that come with it or that are sold separately. You want to stay away from worthless extras like games you would never play. Many video game consoles come in packages with games that are "free", but truly they just charge you extra for the package and you end up paying more then what you would if you just bought the video game console separately with games you actually enjoy.

Make sure everything you need is included. Most will only come with one controller so you need to budget for extra controllers and games as needed. You also might need subscriptions for online gaming if that is what you are into and you may need special cables if you are looking for the best audio and visual performance. Compare all the prices because just as some of them include games, some packages include various cables and "extras" that you may want. It may be less expensive then buying everything separately. Not to mention, prices sometimes vary from store to store, so definitely do a little comparative shopping before buying any video gaming console.

Lastly, before buying any video game console, or video game for that matter, you need to read your video game reviews. There are many websites and gaming magazines that will direct you to exactly what you need and give you very informative video game reviews that will tell you if that console or game has exactly what you are looking for. Don't rush into any purchase that you may not be happy with. Most of all, when you get your console home, enjoy it and have a great time playing all of your new games.

by Erin Carmody

The Nintendo Wii vs the Sony Playstation 3 vs the Microsoft Xbox 360

If you are in the market for a video gaming system for your home, you really only have a choice between the big three gaming consoles: the Microsoft Xbox 360, the Sony Playstation 3, and the Nintendo Wii. So far, it is anybody's guess who will be the big winner, but so far, the Sony PS3 and the Nintendo Wii are out in the lead. In fact, the Nintendo Wii has a slight lead over the other two. There are three reasons for that: first, the Wii may be easier to setup; second, the Wii's games may be easier to learn and use; and third, the Wii is half the price of the other two. But the other game consoles are selling well and they each have their strong points. As with any brand new gaming systems, everyone has an opinion on which is best? Some things to consider when comparing the Wii against the PS3 are the games that go with the system, price and commitment to the gaming system. Everyone has different needs when purchasing a gaming system, so consider all your options before buying a video gaming system. Since this is a large investment in money and games, you must weigh the pros and cons of all the systems available.

The Types and Mumber of Games Available for Each System

When looking at the Wii vs PS3 vs Xbox it may be a good place to start with the games that are exclusive to that system. The Wii system is a Nintendo product, which means that certain games will only be manufactured on that system. These include all of the well known Nintendo brands and characters like, Mario Brothers, Donkey Kong, Zelda series and Sonic character. Games with these characters will not be manufactured for any other gaming system. All of these games are rated E for everyone. This system does also contain rated T games for Teens.

Some PS3 exclusive titles include, Resistance Fall of Man, which is rated M (Mature), Motorstorm rated T. This sytem does also have a variety of games that are rated E, but many are for the more advanced gamer.

And recently, Microsoft has announced that the highly anticipated Halo 3 game will only be available for the Xbox 360. If you are a die-hard fan of Halo, the Xbox may be your only choice (note that the game developer for Halo was purchased by Microsoft several years ago).

It is an important consideration to factor in the age of the players in the household. Take the time to go and check out the titles of games offered to both systems when looking into the Wii vs PS3 vs Xbox.

Price And Other Features As A Consideration

When looking at the Wii vs PS3 vs Xbox, one consideration may be price. There is a considerable difference in price between the three systems. This may have to do with the fact that the PS3 also contains an upgraded CD player. Many hardcore gamers also feel that the PS3 has better graphics than the Wii. The Xbox can play HD DVDs while some PS3's can play blue-ray DVDs.

When checking out the differences between the Wii vs PS3 vs Xbox, it can be noted that the Wii is a much more interactive game. This gaming system uses controllers that act as motion detectors, relaying the movements of the players onto the screen. The graphics of the Wii may not be as fine tuned, but that may not be a big consideration for some consumers.

All three gaming systems have many games that can be played on them for all levels of players. The Wii has a more interactive approach to its games, but the PS3 has much sharper graphics. The Xbox has excellent graphics as well. When comparing the Wii vs PS3 vs Xbox think about what types of games are enjoyed, the long term capabilities of the gaming system and how the price reflects these things.

If money were no object, I would recommend you buy all three systems: the Sony Playstation 3, the Microsoft Xbox 360, and the Nintendo Wii. In the Wii vs PS3 vs Xbox battle, each one has its own pluses and minuses. If there is a particular game you want to play and it is only available on one platform or the other, then your choice is made up for you. Or, if price is the governing factor, then, again, your choice has already been made. Your best option is to spend as much time as possible trying out each console to see which you like the best. Also, read as many reviews as you can. There are sites where real people post their opinions. These can sometimes be more helpful than reviews by professional reviewers.

by Dean Novosat

Consoles Are They Worth The Hype

I have a Playstation 3 and I like it a lot. However, I was sitting there thinking the other day, was I overlooking a great games console in my lap. If you have read any of my other articles, you would know the reason I prefer the Playstation 3 was for its media capabilities as well as its game playing abilities. Now I'm starting to rethink my decision

I'm sitting in my office typing away on my 2.8 GHz AMD PC it wasn't so long ago this was my gaming passion. I would while away the evening playing games like empire earth, call of duty and a big favourite operation flashpoint. Before I got a 42 inch LCD TV connecting the PC to the TV was not an option but now things have changed. I can easily connect my PC and the picture is great.

I'm not rethinking my decision because I have swung to the dark side and want an Xbox 360 instead, as far as consoles go I prefer the PS3. I am rethinking my decision because a PC would do everything I want from a console as well as a lot more. I want to be able to watch movies play music as well as play games.

I started feeling like this about consoles, after I was reading up on the differences on playing GRAW2 on PC Vs Xbox 360 for example on the PC version you can order individual members of your team to do tasks on the console versions you have to order them as a whole team. After this, I felt cheated why was the PC game more in depth then the console version. Consoles seem to be limited with regard to level of control and game play.

Now maybe we should not be looking at the consoles themselves but at a home targeted operating system to run games and media with the lowest overhead from the OS. Most of us don't need the extra services that run on windows. We want to play music watch films and most of all play games. For the first 2 options with a little bit of know how Linux would do a great job but unfortunately the majority of games are produced for the windows platform. I'm no programmer but how hard would it be to produce a streamlined operating system optimised for the home media / games market? Sony have done a good effort with the PS3 front end but it doesn't work as well as Windows or the Ubuntu (Linux distro) front end.

I still play my PS3 but I miss games that give you that level of control and interaction. I miss playing RTS games and first person shooters with a mouse. Most of all I miss editing my own missions witch never seems to be an option on consoles.

This generation of consoles cannot compete with a PC with some great games that cannot be played effectively on a console at this moment in time with games like Eve-online and the RTS genre games. The PC, or should is say the PC style of gaming with a mouse and keyboard. I believe is the best way of gaming. Maybe all that is needed is the ability to use the mouse and keyboard within games and some good RTS games and of course the ability to mod games I know that would make me happy as a gamer.

by Steve Morris

Sonic Online Games

Sonic the Hedgehog is the video game giant SEGA's mascot. His fan made nickname is blue blur and he truly is a video game legend. He is known for his rebellious attitude and signature lightning fast speed. Children and adults alike love playing his games.

Sonic games were originally created for the SEGA console back in 1991, but you can now find Sonic the Hedgehog video games on next generation consoles such as the Xbox 360, ps2, ps3, Gamecube, Nintendo DS, PSP and Nintendo Wii.

The indigo blue hedgehog creates fun and excitement for all the video games and he brings some friends along for the fun. Some friends included are Miles Tails Prower, Amy Rose Hedgehog, Shadow the Hedgehog, Knuckles Echidna and Cream the Rabbit. And, of course, Sonic's arch enemy, Dr. Eggman (aka Robotnik), pushes his way onto the scene as well.

Not only can you play Sonic the Hedgehog console games, but you can also find and play great remakes of Sonic the Hedgehog video games on the web. They are free web based games that you play directly from your browser like Firefox or IE.

Some sonic online games include Ultimate Flash Sonic, Sonic RPG (role playing game), Sonic lost in Mario World and Super Smash Flash. Super Smash Flash is one of the most popular online games. It is a fighting, batting, action packed game that closely resembles console games such as Super Smash Bros. and Super Smash Bros. Melee.

Sonic online games provide endless hours of entertainment and they are packed full of fun!





by Kristen Crane

A Sony PSP or a Xbox 360: Anything can be your free gift

Dynamism is a prominent factor that rules the mobile phone industry. From launching of handsets with excellent designs to the incorporation of advanced functions in the mobile phone, all are a result of the growing demands of the consumers who are always in the quest of something new and innovative.

In trying to meet the growing demands of the consumers, the manufacturers, merchants and Network service providers are constantly competing among themselves. And in order to ensure their sustenance they are formulating various marketing policies.

In trying to outdo each other, the major network providers in association with retailers and manufacturers have come up with a variety of cheap phone deals like 12 month free line rental, pay as you go, 16 month half price rental and clearance deals. These deals not only make mobile telephony available to all, but also ensures better services, that too in a cheap price.

As a part of their marketing strategy, they have included a lot of other advantages in favour of the buyer. Now, by signing any of these deals a consumer can get a handset of their choice in a subsidized rate and sometimes for free. Latest handsets like LG U300, Samsung E900, Sony Ericsson W810i, Nokia N95, Motorola KRZR K1, BlackBerry 8300, Apple iPhone etc., can be purchased in an affordable price .

These contract deals come along with free gifts, merchant incentives and cashback options. So, buying a high-end phone doesn't require much effort, but this purchase can make a consumer the proud owner of other gadgets like video ipod, Xbox360, Sony PSP, Sat Nav, PS3 etc. An user can choose from various contract tariff plans and acquire free gifts , free minutes and texts, free mobile accessories and also free rentals.

What if you get a free Xbox 360 or a Nintendo DS Lite? Microsoft Xbox 360 is a gaming device widely appreciated for its fantastic gaming feature. Users are sure to enjoy more lifelike gaming experience with this device. Another free gifts that often come with mobile phones is Sony PSP and PS3, which can enable superior quality music to sooth your senses. The Nintendo DS Lite also can deliver superb portable gaming for fans of any genre.

If you are a music aficionado, nothing can be a better free gift than an Apple iPod Nano that packs the entire iPod features in this little device with a capacity of storing 240 songs. By buying a latest phone with a deal an user can also satisfy his other mini-gadget requirements. The TomTom One Sat Nav GPS, that comes as free gifts is also a highly-sophisticated gaming device.

Of course it is a smart idea to purchase a phone with contract deals. You can not only get the handset for free, but also appealing free gifts along with it.

by Andrena Markley

Rent Xbox Online !!!

Playing video or computer games is a relatively new way of entertaining ourselves. Different people have different opinions regarding this form of entertainment, but everyone must agree that the technology breakthrough that these games have accomplished is indeed remarkable. Computer games are so varied that even categorizing them is difficult. There are games suitable for different ages and sexes, games that you can play to relax, and games that can give you true satisfaction, especially when played against a real life opponent. In fact, I think this is the main reason why people of all ages are attracted to all sorts of computer games. In the end, it's all about winning or accomplishing something, and these games can give you a sense of fulfillment that may sometimes be missing from your real life. What's more, computer games give us the chance to enter a completely different world, where things may have little to do with the real world, which makes the game all the more captivating. But the purpose of this article is not to convince you that most computer games are worth playing or at least trying out, because you already know that.

What you may not know is that you can have access to almost any game you want very easily. You can rent a game, try it out, see if you like it, and if so, play it, and then return it and move on to the next one. It's that simple. Everywhere around you there are all sorts of advertisements for new games or new upgraded versions of older games. You can see Internet ads, magazine articles, television advertisements and even TV shows on computer games. Maybe some of them are really appealing to you, and you'd like to check them out, so that you can form your own opinion. But buying all of them is out of the question, because that would be some money very unwisely spent. Instead, you can rent a game or several - up to ten, actually, an even more than one at a time. And you don't even have to go to too much trouble to get them. All you have to do is rent a game online and you'll have it shipped to your address.

You have certainly heard of Microsoft Xbox 360, and maybe you've even had the chance to play some of the games. Well, good news: you can rent any of these games online, and check out every single one of them. The era of the free downloadable demos and trailers is now over. You can rent the game and play it all the way to end, or at least until you get bored of it. The same goes for the other two main competitors of Xbox, namely PS3 and Wii.

You probably already know that these gaming machines are extremely popular all over the world and if you haven't had the chance to get a taste of them, you can do it now, by renting any game you like. And if you did have the chance to play the Xbox games and liked them, you have all the more reasons to rent them, by going online and finding a web site that ships computer games in your area.




by Groshun Fabiola

The New Xbox 360 Elite Video Game Player: Overview And Opinions

As you might have heard, there's a new console in town: Xbox 360™ Elite. For those of you who are not hardcore gamers or are parents of one, you may not know much about the Xbox 360 Elite that was recently released by Microsoft. The Xbox 360 Elite is the third and most expensive variation of the Xbox 360 console in addition to "core" and "premium." Xbox 360 Elite is equipped with a premium black finish, three powerful core processors, full surround sound, a high-definition multimedia interface (HDMI) cable, and DVD playback. Xbox 360 Elite is now the premier Xbox 360 console package that includes a large 120GB hard drive, a HDMI port, a high-definition cable. The Xbox 360 Elite is set up to extend the entertainment experience of the regular Xbox 360. The Xbox 360 Elite is based on the Zephyr motherboard, which features a HDMI port and an improved GPU heat sink. The $480 Xbox 360 Elite is black instead of white, includes a hard drive that is six times as large as the previous 360s and twice as big as the rival PS3s. The HDMI output makes for easier hookups to HDTVs. While it's primarily a game machine, the Xbox 360 Elite is a digital media hub as well. Users report that initial setup of the Xbox 360 Elite is easy; you just select the language and then either establish your Xbox Live account or re-link to an existing account. The consensus of opinion on the web seems to be that the Xbox 360 Elite is mainly for people who haven't bought a Xbox 360 yet and that the Xbox 360 Elite is a great choice for only $80 more than the premium version. The Xbox 360 Elite is still cheaper than Sony's 80GB console, but does lack some features such as a Blu-ray drive or any other integrated WiFi solution, as some gamers necessitate. The bottom line opinion, though, seems to be that while it's neither a must-have upgrade for existing 360 owners nor as feature-packed as the PS3, the Xbox 360 Elite's combination of top-notch gaming and digital media features make it the current game console of choice.

Xbox 360 Elite Features and News

The Xbox 360 Elite also includes a black wireless controller and black Xbox LIVE® headset. There is currently a rumor of a price drop on the way that the core and premium will get a $50 price drop but the Elite will only get a $29 price drop.

by Julie Universal

What is HD-DVD

The HD (High-density) DVD is designed to be the successor to the standard DVD format, and is derived from the same underlying technologies. It can store about 3 1/2 times as much data as its predecessor (Maximum capacity: 30 GB instead of 8.5 GB). A 51 GB triple-layer preliminary spec has been approved. However no movies are currently scheduled for this disc type. The HD DVD standard was jointly developed by Toshiba and NEC.^[1] On 19 November 2003, the DVD Forum voted to support HD DVD as the high definition successor of the standard DVD. At this meeting, they also renamed it HD DVD. HD DVD stands for "High Definition Digital Versatile Disc".^[2] The format had previously been called the "Advanced Optical Disc" (AOD).

The current specification version for HD DVD-ROM and HD DVD-Rewritable is version 1.0. The specification for HD DVD-R is currently at 0.9; the HD DVD-RAM specification is not yet finalized. The first HD DVD-ROM drives were released in early 2006, and the first HD DVD Recorders were released mid 2007 in Japan.^[3]

HD DVD is currently in a format war with rival format Blu-ray Disc.

What is Blue-ray-disc

Blu-ray, also known as Blu-ray Disc (BD), is the name of a next-generation optical disc format jointly developed by the Blu-ray Disc Association (BDA), a group of the world's leading consumer electronics, personal computer and media manufacturers (including Apple, Dell, Hitachi, HP, JVC, LG, Mitsubishi, Panasonic, Pioneer, Philips, Samsung, Sharp, Sony, TDK and Thomson). The format was developed to enable recording, rewriting and playback of high-definition video (HD), as well as storing large amounts of data. The format offers more than five times the storage capacity of traditional DVDs and can hold up to 25GB on a single-layer disc and 50GB on a dual-layer disc. This extra capacity combined with the use of advanced video and audio codecs will offer consumers an unprecedented HD experience.

While current optical disc technologies such as DVD, DVD±R, DVD±RW, and DVD-RAM rely on a red laser to read and write data, the new format uses a blue-violet laser instead, hence the name Blu-ray. Despite the different type of lasers used, Blu-ray products can easily be made backwards compatible with CDs and DVDs through the use of a BD/DVD/CD compatible optical pickup unit. The benefit of using a blue-violet laser (405nm) is that it has a shorter wavelength than a red laser (650nm), which makes it possible to focus the laser spot with even greater precision. This allows data to be packed more tightly and stored in less space, so it's possible to fit more data on the disc even though it's the same size as a CD/DVD. This together with the change of numerical aperture to 0.85 is what enables Blu-ray Discs to hold 25GB/50GB.

Blu-ray is currently supported by more than 180 of the world's leading consumer electronics, personal computer, recording media, video game and music companies. The format also has broad support from the major movie studios as a successor to today's DVD format. In fact, seven of the eight major movie studios (Disney, Fox, Warner, Paramount, Sony, Lionsgate and MGM) have released movies in the Blu-ray format and five of them (Disney, Fox, Sony, Lionsgate and MGM) are releasing their movies exclusively in the Blu-ray format. Many studios have also announced that they will begin releasing new feature films on Blu-ray Disc day-and-date with DVD, as well as a continuous slate of catalog titles every month. For more information about Blu-ray movies, check out our Blu-ray movies section which offers information about new and upcoming Blu-ray releases, as well as what movies are currently available in the Blu-ray format.

Хboх 360 System Performance

Xbox360 spec

Custom IBM Power-PC Based CPU

• Three symmetrical cores running at 3.2 GHz each
• Two hardware threads per core; six hardware threads total
• VMX-128 vector unit per core; three total
• 128 VMX-128 registers per hardware thread
• 1 MB L2 cache

CPU Game Math Performance

• 9 billion dot product operations per second

Custom ATI Graphics Processor

• 500MHz processor
• 10 MB of embedded DRAM
• 48-way parallel floating-point dynamically scheduled shader pipelines
• Unified shader architecture

Polygon Performance

• 500 million triangles per second

Pixel Fill Rate

• 16 gigasamples per second fill rate using 4x MSAA

Shader Performance

• 48 billion shader operations per second

Memory

• 512 MB of GDDR3 RAM
• 700 MHz of DDR
• Unified memory architecture

Memory Bandwidth

• 22.4 GB/s memory interface bus bandwidth
• 256 GB/s memory bandwidth to EDRAM
• 21.6 GB/s front-side bus

Overall System Floating Point Performance

• 1 teraflop

Storage

• Detachable and upgradeable 20GB hard drive
• 12x dual-layer DVD-ROM
• Memory Unit support starting at 64 MB

I/O

• Support for up to four wireless game controllers
• Three USB 2.0 ports
• Two memory unit slots

Optimized for Online

• Instant, out-of-the-box access to Xbox Live features with broadband service, including Xbox Live Marketplace for downloadable content, gamer profile for digital identity, and voice chat to talk to friends while playing games, watching movies, or listening to music
• Built-in Ethernet port
• Wi-Fi ready: 802.11a, 802.11b, and 802.11g
• Video camera ready

Digital Media Support

• Support for DVD-Video, DVD-ROM, DVD-R/RW, DVD+R/RW, CD-DA, CD-ROM, CD-R, CD-RW, WMA CD, MP3 CD, JPEG Photo CD
• Ability to stream media from portable music devices, digital cameras and Windows XP-based PCs
• Ability to rip music to the Xbox 360 hard drive
• Custom playlists in every game
• Built-in Media Center Extender for Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005
• Interactive, full-screen 3-D visualizers

High-Definition Game Support

• All games supported at 16:9, 720p, and 1080i, anti-aliasing
• Standard-definition and high-definition video output supported

Audio

• Multi-channel surround sound output
• Supports 48KHz 16-bit audio
• 320 independent decompression channels
• 32-bit audio processing
• Over 256 audio channels

Powerful GameConsole Sony PS3

Playstation 3 Spec

CPU
Cell Processor
PowerPC-base Core @3.2GHz
1 VMX vector unit per core
512KB L2 cache
7 x SPE @3.2GHz
7 x 128b 128 SIMD GPRs
7 x 256KB SRAM for SPE
* 1 of 8 SPEs reserved for redundancy
total floating point performance: 218 GFLOPS

GPU
RSX @550MHz
1.8 TFLOPS floating point performance
Full HD (up to 1080p) x 2 channels
Multi-way programmable parallel floating point shader pipelines

Sound
Dolby 5.1ch, DTS, LPCM, etc. (Cell- base processing)
Memory
256MB XDR Main RAM @3.2GHz 256MB GDDR3 VRAM @700MHz

System Bandwidth
Main RAM 25.6GB/s
VRAM 22.4GB/s
RSX 20GB/s (write) + 15GB/s (read)
SB< class="bignbold">System Floating Point Performance
2 TFLOPS

Storage
Detachable 2.5" HDD slot x 1

I/O
USB Front x 4, Rear x 2 (USB2.0)
Memory Stick standard/Duo, PRO x 1
SD standard/mini x 1
CompactFlash (Type I, II) x 1

Communication
Ethernet (10BASE-T, 100BASE-TX, 1000BASE-T) x 3 (input x 1 + output x 2)
Wi-Fi IEEE 802.11 b/g
Bluetooth 2.0 (EDR)

Controller
Bluetooth (up to 7)
USB 2.0 (wired)
Wi-Fi (PSP)
Network (over IP)

AV Output
Screen size: 480i, 480p, 720p, 1080i, 1080p
HDMI: HDMI out x 2
Analog: AV MULTI OUT x 1
Digital audio: DIGITAL OUT (OPTICAL) x 1

Disc Media
CD: PlayStation CD-ROM, PlayStation 2 CD-ROM, CD-DA, CD-DA (ROM), CD-R, CD-RW, SACD, SACD Hybrid (CD layer), SACD HD, DualDisc, DualDisc (audio side), DualDisc (DVD side)
DVD: PlayStation 2 DVD-ROM, PlayStation 3 DVD-ROM, DVD-Video, DVD-ROM, DVD-R, DVD-RW, DVD+R, DVD+RW
Blu-ray Disc: PlayStation 3 BD-ROM, BD-Video, BD-ROM, BD-R, BD-RE

Nintendo Wii

The Wii Difference

There’s no getting around the fact that Nintendo’s Wii is a weird machine. (Hell, even the name is freaky.) While Microsoft and Sony strive to deliver whiz-bang high-definition visuals and sound in their next-gen consoles, Nintendo takes a very different approach with the Wii. The system’s inner workings don’t stray too far from the GameCube’s last-gen tech (a calculated maneuver to keep hardware costs down), but the interface—an innovative motion-sensing wireless remote—fundamentally changes the way you play your games.

Couch potatoes should be worried: With the Wii, your days of vegging out while leisurely holding a gamepad are history. Most Wii games have you mimic real-life motions (throwing a football, swinging a sword, steering a car, and so on) to manipulate onscreen action. Coupling the remote with the add-on Nunchuk accessory opens up even more control possibilities, like independent moving and aiming for first-person shooters or dual fisticuffs for boxing.

After putting Wii’s launch titles through the paces, we’re definitely impressed with the controller: Simpler minigame fare like Wii Sports and Rayman Raving Rabbids feels instantly instinctive, and even comparatively traditional games like Zelda benefit from the newfound freedom and creativity. Despite the system’s obvious graphical shortcomings, we believe that the Wii’s paradigm-busting controller and top-quality first-party software will allow it to hang tough alongside the far beefier Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3.

Nintendo Wii has the most unique controller of any console of all time. Known as the Wiimote, it more resembles a TV remote control than a typical games paddle. At first glance it seems like a very simple device without many buttons, seemingly too few to adequately play modern games with. First impressions are very deceiving.

The Wiimote has motion sensors inside it, meaning that simply waving the controller in the air is a means of input in itself. The Wiimote also features force feedback, meaning events in the game can cause it to rumble for a more immersive feeling. It also has its own speaker, allowing for a depth of sound never before heard on any console.

Experienced PC gamers will know that the only way to control certain types of games is using the mouse. Up until now games consoles haven't been able to compete with their clumsy controllers, most notably on first-person shooter (FPS) and real-time strategy (RTS) games. The Wiimote is the only controller for a console which can match and even surpass the effectiveness of a mouse.

The Wii is not all about games though. When powered on the Wii interface will include Wii Channels, a gateway to interactive features and using the Internet. The Wiimote is an intuitive pointing device suited well for this purpose as well.

When needed the Wiimote can be coupled with a second device to hold in your other hand. This second device features an analog stick and its own motion sensors that are independent from the main Wiimote. This is effect gives the user '2 hands' in the game, allowing for great ways of interaction.

System specs

Central Processing Unit (CPU)

IBM Broadway 729MHz

Graphics Processing Unit (GPU)

ATI Hollywood 243MHz

Supported Resolution

Up to 480p

System Memory

88MB

Internet Connectivity

WiFi 802.11 b/g

Media

Internal Storage

512MB Flash Memory

Optical Drive

12cm Wii Disc & 8cm GameCube Disc. Discs will self-load into the bay.

12cm Disc Capacity

4.7Gb (or 8.5Gb Dual Layer)

Memory Expansion

1 x SD Memory

Backward Compatibility

Downloadable Games

NES, SNES, N64, Genesis, TurboGrafix16

Disc Compatibility

GameCube

Connectivity

Wii Controller Ports

4 x Wireless

GameCube Controller Ports

4 Ports

GameCube Memory Expansion

2 Ports

USB 2.0

2 Ports

Internet

Wireless IEEE802.11b/g or a USB LAN adaptor. WiiConnect 24 persistant connection, even when powered off.

Output ports

AV Multi-output port, allowing Composite, S-Video and Component.

Controller

Connection method

Bluetooth (wireless)

Wiimote Buttons

3 axis motion sensor, + Direction pad, A, B, Minus, Home, Power button, 1 and 2

Nunchuck Buttons

3 axis motion sensor, Analog stick, C and Z

Force feedback (rumble)

Yes

Other features

Wiimote has a speaker and an expansion port