Comments on: Department of Defense orders 2,200 PS3s http://boingboing.net/2009/11/29/department-of-defens-1.html Brain candy for Happy Mutants Thu, 23 May 2013 08:44:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.4.1 By: Nukemjoe http://boingboing.net/2009/11/29/department-of-defens-1.html#comment-659494 Nukemjoe Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-659494 "... but doesn't this break some DMCA law or something?" Nope. At most, you're violating your warranty. No company can dictate how or what after market modifications you make to "real" (read: physical) property. You cannot change their software, but the hardware is always fair game and how you use it is entirely up to you. “… but doesn’t this break some DMCA law or something?”

Nope. At most, you’re violating your warranty.

No company can dictate how or what after market modifications you make to “real” (read: physical) property. You cannot change their software, but the hardware is always fair game and how you use it is entirely up to you.

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2009/11/29/department-of-defens-1.html#comment-650025 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-650025 I think it has been said before, but the "new&cheap" PS3s are lacking the ability to run a guest OS on them. So they will have to splosh out more money for the old models or use dev-kits (which are nor cheap btw) ... or of course just buy cell blades from IBM, like everybody else does. I think it has been said before, but the “new&cheap” PS3s are lacking the ability to run a guest OS on them. So they will have to splosh out more money for the old models or use dev-kits (which are nor cheap btw) … or of course just buy cell blades from IBM, like everybody else does.

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2009/11/29/department-of-defens-1.html#comment-650030 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-650030 I don't like that the DoD is using my favorite gaming platform for its probably sinister purposes... I don’t like that the DoD is using my favorite gaming platform for its probably sinister purposes…

]]> By: Kimmo http://boingboing.net/2009/11/29/department-of-defens-1.html#comment-650287 Kimmo Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-650287 Maybe it's starting to dawn on the US government that it's broke? Maybe it’s starting to dawn on the US government that it’s broke?

]]> By: Sludge http://boingboing.net/2009/11/29/department-of-defens-1.html#comment-650038 Sludge Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-650038 LAN Party! LAN Party!

]]> By: toolbag http://boingboing.net/2009/11/29/department-of-defens-1.html#comment-650055 toolbag Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-650055 Your (if you're American) tax dollars at wor-.....wait, the DoD actually did something on the cheap? What's probably happening behind the scenes is Sony is lobbying for a secret deal where the DoD ends up buying two dozen crappy ps3 titles for each console. Your (if you’re American) tax dollars at wor-…..wait, the DoD actually did something on the cheap? What’s probably happening behind the scenes is Sony is lobbying for a secret deal where the DoD ends up buying two dozen crappy ps3 titles for each console.

]]> By: ackpht http://boingboing.net/2009/11/29/department-of-defens-1.html#comment-650059 ackpht Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-650059 At $300 USD a clip, that comes down to just under $2M USD, or enough to fund operations in Iraq for <i>four minutes</i>. At $300 USD a clip, that comes down to just under $2M USD, or enough to fund operations in Iraq for four minutes.

]]> By: vert http://boingboing.net/2009/11/29/department-of-defens-1.html#comment-650064 vert Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-650064 First off… who let the spammer in? Secondly… I think it's great that the DoD is actually trying to save money, but doesn't this break some DMCA law or something? Couldn't Sony go sue crazy and say that the DoD is intentionally breaking IP security on the machines? First off… who let the spammer in?

Secondly…

I think it’s great that the DoD is actually trying to save money, but doesn’t this break some DMCA law or something? Couldn’t Sony go sue crazy and say that the DoD is intentionally breaking IP security on the machines?

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2009/11/29/department-of-defens-1.html#comment-650325 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-650325 I was under the impression that the newer (slim)PS3s could not have Linux installed on them. I suppose the gub'ment has ways around that, but it's funny to think how it would be an easy Christmas for many fed employees if they purchased without realizing that. I was under the impression that the newer (slim)PS3s could not have Linux installed on them. I suppose the gub’ment has ways around that, but it’s funny to think how it would be an easy Christmas for many fed employees if they purchased without realizing that.

]]> By: shiva7663 http://boingboing.net/2009/11/29/department-of-defens-1.html#comment-650071 shiva7663 Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-650071 I think 2200 PS3s would be better used if they were distributed to military day rooms (and other similar locations) to help boost the morale of the troops. I think 2200 PS3s would be better used if they were distributed to military day rooms (and other similar locations) to help boost the morale of the troops.

]]> By: InsertFingerHere http://boingboing.net/2009/11/29/department-of-defens-1.html#comment-650073 InsertFingerHere Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-650073 do you want to play a game ? do you want to play a game ?

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2009/11/29/department-of-defens-1.html#comment-650076 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-650076 In completely unrelated news the Department of Defense has ordered 2,200 copies of Modern Warfare 2 for 'research' purposes. In completely unrelated news the Department of Defense has ordered 2,200 copies of Modern Warfare 2 for ‘research’ purposes.

]]> By: The Chemist http://boingboing.net/2009/11/29/department-of-defens-1.html#comment-650080 The Chemist Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-650080 I wonder how fast their load screen is for Devil May Cry IV. I wonder how fast their load screen is for Devil May Cry IV.

]]> By: certron http://boingboing.net/2009/11/29/department-of-defens-1.html#comment-650082 certron Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-650082 A strange game. The only winning move is not to play. How about a nice game of chess? (I'm sorry, I have to be pedantic about the quote, only because it is burned into my memory: "Shall we play a game?" Still chilling and exciting after all this time...) A strange game. The only winning move is not to play. How about a nice game of chess?

(I’m sorry, I have to be pedantic about the quote, only because it is burned into my memory: “Shall we play a game?” Still chilling and exciting after all this time…)

]]> By: Trent Hawkins http://boingboing.net/2009/11/29/department-of-defens-1.html#comment-650342 Trent Hawkins Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-650342 the Ps3s arrived on the same day that Modern Warfare 2 shipped... coincidence? the Ps3s arrived on the same day that Modern Warfare 2 shipped… coincidence?

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2009/11/29/department-of-defens-1.html#comment-650102 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-650102 Even given the generous assumption that the DoD bought the first three-hundred at launch price you are off by over a million. (2,200 * 300) + (336 * 600) = 861,600 It wouldn't even be close if they bought those launch consoles on eBay. Even given the generous assumption that the DoD bought the first three-hundred at launch price you are off by over a million.

(2,200 * 300) + (336 * 600) = 861,600

It wouldn’t even be close if they bought those launch consoles on eBay.

]]> By: fr4nk http://boingboing.net/2009/11/29/department-of-defens-1.html#comment-650107 fr4nk Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-650107 Ars Technica should know that the singular unit is a GFLOPS, not a GFLOP. Giga-floating-point operations per... Ars Technica should know that the singular unit is a GFLOPS, not a GFLOP.
Giga-floating-point operations per…

]]> By: Chuck http://boingboing.net/2009/11/29/department-of-defens-1.html#comment-650117 Chuck Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-650117 1. Someone will complain: "Hey! The Department of Defense is engaging in wasteful spending buying all those video game systems!" 2. The Departement of Defense will pass along the numbers referenced above. 3. Someone else (or possibly the same people) will complain: "Hey! Sony is underpricing their products! This is <em>against capitalism</em>, and yet another sign that this country is plunging headlong into socialism. I'm utterly disgusted that an <em>American corporation</em> is engaging in this practice." (And yes, they'll forget that Sony is based in Japan.) 4. Sony reluctantly raises the price on the PS3. 5. PROFIT! (Then loss.) 1. Someone will complain: “Hey! The Department of Defense is engaging in wasteful spending buying all those video game systems!”

2. The Departement of Defense will pass along the numbers referenced above.

3. Someone else (or possibly the same people) will complain: “Hey! Sony is underpricing their products! This is against capitalism, and yet another sign that this country is plunging headlong into socialism. I’m utterly disgusted that an American corporation is engaging in this practice.” (And yes, they’ll forget that Sony is based in Japan.)

4. Sony reluctantly raises the price on the PS3.

5. PROFIT! (Then loss.)

]]> By: jessemoya http://boingboing.net/2009/11/29/department-of-defens-1.html#comment-650121 jessemoya Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-650121 Wait, wait, wait... you're trying to tell me the US Government is sacrificing a bit of convenience for an option that is ten times more cost efficient? Ok, I give up: what's the catch? Wait, wait, wait… you’re trying to tell me the US Government is sacrificing a bit of convenience for an option that is ten times more cost efficient?

Ok, I give up: what’s the catch?

]]> By: mechko http://boingboing.net/2009/11/29/department-of-defens-1.html#comment-650127 mechko Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-650127 Actually, I don't believe Sony will be suing for violations. In fact, I think Sony supports the use of PS3 clusters as supercomputers, as long as it's by a large company. Also, a PS3 computing cloud is much more energy efficient than a traditional super computing array. Also, my guitar is vibrating every time I cough :( Actually, I don’t believe Sony will be suing for violations. In fact, I think Sony supports the use of PS3 clusters as supercomputers, as long as it’s by a large company.

Also, a PS3 computing cloud is much more energy efficient than a traditional super computing array.

Also, my guitar is vibrating every time I cough :(

]]> By: peternz http://boingboing.net/2009/11/29/department-of-defens-1.html#comment-650383 peternz Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-650383 I knew it! Video games DO lead to violence! I knew it! Video games DO lead to violence!

]]> By: stevew http://boingboing.net/2009/11/29/department-of-defens-1.html#comment-650133 stevew Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-650133 Stanford University likes PS3s. Stanford is running a distributed computing project, Folding@home, that includes 38.000+ PS3s. Currently the PS3s are over a petaflop see: http://fah-web.stanford.edu/cgi-bin/main.py?qtype=osstats Mine's been contributing for ~660 days (2640 units 4/day). {Windows, Linux and Mac can help fold proteins too!} Stanford University likes PS3s. Stanford is running a distributed computing project, Folding@home, that includes 38.000+ PS3s. Currently the PS3s are over a petaflop see: http://fah-web.stanford.edu/cgi-bin/main.py?qtype=osstats Mine’s been contributing for ~660 days (2640 units 4/day). {Windows, Linux and Mac can help fold proteins too!}

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2009/11/29/department-of-defens-1.html#comment-650399 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-650399 I completely get it. Ever play MSG III? There's some great games out there that would provide tactical training on the cheap. I completely get it. Ever play MSG III? There’s some great games out there that would provide tactical training on the cheap.

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2009/11/29/department-of-defens-1.html#comment-650431 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-650431 stevew: If PS3s are folding protein at Stanford, can I make my old Dreamcast at home fold my laundry? Thanks if you have any info. stevew:

If PS3s are folding protein at Stanford, can I make my old Dreamcast at home fold my laundry? Thanks if you have any info.

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2009/11/29/department-of-defens-1.html#comment-775630 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-775630 Cool, now if only the Civil Air Patrol was to do that, the cadets would go nuts! Cool, now if only the Civil Air Patrol was to do that, the cadets would go nuts!

]]> By: boomer6966 http://boingboing.net/2009/11/29/department-of-defens-1.html#comment-667360 boomer6966 Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-667360 Sinister or benign the bottom line is that for a savings of $3600USD we lose 50 gflops by buying PS3's. And yet if DoD buys from IBM directly they get bent over and hosed for those extra 50 gflops... The US is involved in two wars and a major manufacturer is way overcharging them... that boys and girls is called "War Profiteering" and is against US federal law. IBM should be prosecuted. (Never liked those short sleeve shirts with ties guys anyway.) Sinister or benign the bottom line is that for a savings of $3600USD we lose 50 gflops by buying PS3′s. And yet if DoD buys from IBM directly they get bent over and hosed for those extra 50 gflops…
The US is involved in two wars and a major manufacturer is way overcharging them… that boys and girls is called “War Profiteering” and is against US federal law.
IBM should be prosecuted. (Never liked those short sleeve shirts with ties guys anyway.)

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