And now, for my next trick...

[Virgil0211]

Remember back when I was talking about getting a new PC. Well, I instead went and got a laptop computer. Seems to be working well.

However, I've been following the various news outlets about the PS3 jailbreak and such. Now that the signing keys have been found and published, one can effectively 'trick' the PS3 into installing unsigned software. The guy who did this claims he wanted to bring back the OtherOS function of the PS3. He's getting sued by Sony for violating the DMCA and the CFAA (well, what were you expecting?  ). Anyway, now that this has happened, it's theoretically possible install Ubuntu on the PS3 again in such a way that it makes better use of the system's full capabilities (much like Yellow Dog Linux was able to). I'm going to wait and try fiddling around with it during the summer, and buy a refurbished one for experimenting with.

Anyway, just wondering if anybody had any thoughts or ideas.

[MrBogosity]

Wait...IANAL, but if they're suing him for violating the CFAA, doesn't that mean they're admitting the PS3 is a computer and therefore invalidating their position?

[Virgil0211]

Wait...IANAL, but if they're suing him for violating the CFAA, doesn't that mean they're admitting the PS3 is a computer and therefore invalidating their position?

IANALE, but as far as I understand it, they're suing him for that under this part:

# Knowingly causing the transmission of a program, information, code, or command that causes damage or intentionally accessing a computer without authorization, and as a result of such conduct, causes damage that results in:

    * Loss to one or more persons during any one-year period aggregating at least $5,000 in value.
    * The modification or impairment, or potential modification or impairment, of the medical examination, diagnosis, treatment, or care of one or more individuals.
    * Physical injury to any person.
    * A threat to public health or safety.
    * Damage affecting a government computer system

# Knowingly and with the intent to defraud, trafficking in a password or similar information through which a computer may be accessed without authorization.


Could also be a case of what my business law teacher referred to as the 'shotgun' approach that's apparently rather common; Sue for everything you can even tangentially attach to the case, and go with whatever sticks. They're also apparently trying to keep the case in California's jurisdiction, despite George Hotz living in New Jersey and conducting all of his activities in New Jersey. It would seem that Sony's more or less trying to bully the guy into submission. Too bad the cat's effectively out of the bag now. Sony's latest security update that was supposed to somehow close the security loophole was cracked within 24 hours.

[FSBlueApocalypse]

Sony's screwed and they know it. As Hotz said in an interview, he (along with failoverflow) is being sued because he made Sony mad.

The Sony fanboys want to see Hotz buried, yet whenever I try to point out that their consumer rights will get buried along with him, they just spout off about how they're not hackers.

[MrBogosity]

Look, I'm an incredibly satisfied Sony customer, Vegas rocks as editing software and kicks Final Cut's ass, and I have a Sony HDTV and just got a Sony Blu-Ray player. When I get electronics, I buy Sony whenever possible. They're incredibly good and reliable; I've never gotten anything from them that didn't last and last and last.

But they're being big evil corporate monsters here. That's just all there is to it. (Of course, I don't blame them; I blame the government that usurped unconstitutional authority to allow it to happen. Sony's just taking every advantage to maximize profits.)

[Virgil0211]

Look, I'm an incredibly satisfied Sony customer, Vegas rocks as editing software and kicks Final Cut's ass, and I have a Sony HDTV and just got a Sony Blu-Ray player. When I get electronics, I buy Sony whenever possible. They're incredibly good and reliable; I've never gotten anything from them that didn't last and last and last.

But they're being big evil corporate monsters here. That's just all there is to it. (Of course, I don't blame them; I blame the government that usurped unconstitutional authority to allow it to happen. Sony's just taking every advantage to maximize profits.)

I know, but it seems like a big gamble for too little payoff. I mean, the damage is done and will continue to be done. The most they can hope to do is possibly scare some people out of doing the modifications, but that won't work for the majority of them. They're also prompting quite a few people (such as myself) to make the modifications just out of rebellion. Apple already tried this, and look what happened with them. I thought for a second Sony might be doing this to increase interest in PS3 homebrew, but that doesn't seem too likely.

[MrBogosity]

Nah, Sony's always thrown their weight around like that. But that's corporatism for you. In the free market, companies lead the way into the future. In a corporatist market, they have to be dragged there kicking and screaming.

[Gumba Masta]

Which can be sexy sometimes.

[Virgil0211]

Which can be sexy sometimes.

Speaking of your mother and last night...

Nah, Sony's always thrown their weight around like that. But that's corporatism for you. In the free market, companies lead the way into the future. In a corporatist market, they have to be dragged there kicking and screaming.

They've done this sort of thing before?

[MrBogosity]

Yeah, any time a court case begins "Sony vs." you know it can't be good.

[Virgil0211]

Yeah, any time a court case begins "Sony vs." you know it can't be good.

I see. To be fair, Sony does make some good products. I just don't understand their actions here. It seems logical to me that their stated intent (removing the keys from the internet) is downright implausible, if not impossible. The only thing that seems to be getting done is pissing off the 'hacker/linux/pirate' communities and painting a huge target on the PS3. In the end, this may prove to increase sales of PS3 hardware and push the development of a decent homebrew market for the PS3, but that's about the opposite of their stated intent. I mean, that's the only other objective I could see them pursuing that actually results in a net positive, unless I'm missing something.