Turn Your PS3 Into A Linux Server

Leading digital workflow specialist HELIOS has tapped into the power of the Playstation 3 platform. The games console is powered by the incredibly powerful Cell processor, which is needed to run games in high definition and amazing detail. HELIOS has customised a version of Linux to allow its server suite to run on the PS3 hardware.

The free installer will be available from the UK distributor’s website from 1st of June (www.jpy.com). It utilises Yellow Dog Linux v5.0 as its operating system, and it includes a test drive version of HELIOS UB, the enterprise client server solution. It is believed that this is the first instance of the games platform being used for a business server solution.

The reasons for porting HELIOS to the PS3 are more than simply showing off programming skills of the HELIOS team. It is of course more usual to have the enterprise software running on much more expensive platforms, such as IBM blade servers or Apple Xserves. But the PS3 is capable of lighter duties, and will be used by the HELIOS sales team to demonstrate the software to customers. With fully loaded servers running into multiple thousands of pounds, a compact demonstration server for under £500 makes perfect sense.

The HELIOS bundle included on the disc image will run for four hours at a time, allowing users to see what HELIOS can do. Software bundled would cost over £10,000, and getting it to run on a £425 gaming platform is quite a feat.

Dr John Yardley, MD of HELIOS distributor JPY Plc, said “It might seem like a crazy idea, but pound for pound the PS3 offers amazing power. I expect plenty of Linux enthusiasts will find good uses for the installation, which includes powerful tools like EtherShare and WebShare. Getting HELIOS running on the platform is akin to cramming a Spitfire engine into a Mini!”
The Linux installer is customised to make the best use of the limited memory available on the PS3. The disk image installs Yellow Dog Linux in under 10 minutes, with a configuration designed to optimise performance offering 40% more memory than the standard config.

The PS3 uses a 64-bit Cell processor that runs at 3.2 GHz, is PowerPC compatible with 256 MB of main memory, and has performance comparable to a G5 single CPU. The PS3 comes with the NVIDIA RSX Graphics Processing Unit, has a 60 GB 2.5″ swappable serial ATA disk and offers WLAN and Gigabit Ethernet for network connectivity. Terra Soft’s Yellow Dog Linux v5.0 is binary compatible with its release for the former Apple PowerPC product line and concurrent support for the Mercury Cell products and IBM Cell and pSeries servers.

Advantages of the HELIOS PS3 Linux installation:

• Free download from HELIOS web site

· Easy installation, ready to run in a few minutes
· Excellent Linux on PS3 documentation from HELIOS
· Dedicated server operating system with optimized performance (40% more memory available)
· Java 1.5 runtime is pre-installed
· Easy maintenance shell from CD
· HELIOS services are pre-installed as a test drive

Source: HELIOS

World Bank: Bush To Nominate Robert Zoellick To Replace Paul Wolfowitz

A senior administration official says President Bush will nominate former Deputy Secretary of State Robert Zoellick to be the new president of the World Bank. Zoellick had also served as U.S. Trade Representative.

Zoellick’s nomination follows the resignation of the current bank president, Paul Wolfowitz, who was enveloped in a scandal over his role in arranging a promotion and pay raise for his girlfriend, who is a bank employee.

Wolfowitz is scheduled to leave the bank at the end of June.

Some nations, including Australia, argue that the tradition of having an American serve as World Bank president should be replaced with an open selection process.

Source: VOA

Miss Japan, Riyo Mori Wins Miss Universe 2007

This evening, during one of the year’s most exciting live international television events, a star-studded panel of judges chose Miss Japan, Riyo Mori, as MISS UNIVERSE 2007.

Ms. Mori is 20 years-old and has been dancing since she was 4. She loves traveling the world and enjoys visiting museums and watching musicals.

The judging panel for the 2007 Miss Universe Pageant included NBC’s “Heroes” James Kyson Lee, NBC’s “Deal or No Deal” briefcase model Lindsay Clubine, Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo, rocker Dave Navarro, World and Olympic figure skating champion Michelle Kwan, fashion designer Marc Bouwer, Novela Star Mauricio Islas, “Project Runway” judge and Elle magazine fashion director Nina Garcia, and former Miss Universes Dayanara Torres (1993) and Christiane Martel (1953).

Throughout the two-hour event, contestants from 77 countries around the world competed in three categories: swimsuit; evening gown; and personality interview. Zuleyka Rivera, Miss Universe 2006, crowned her successor at the conclusion of the two-hour primetime telecast, before an estimated worldwide viewing audience of more than 1 billion in over 170 countries.

Final Results: First Runner Up: Miss Brazil, Natalia Guimaraes will assume the duties of MISS UNIVERSE 2007 if the titleholder for some reason cannot fulfill her responsibilities. Second Runner Up: Miss Venezuela, Ly Jonaitis Rest of Top Five: Miss Korea, Honey Lee; and Miss USA, Rachel Smith. Rest of Top Ten: Miss India, Puja Gupta; Miss Angola, Micaela Reis; Miss Tanzania, Flaviana Matata; Miss Nicaragua, Xiomara Blandino; and Miss Mexico, Rosa Maria Ojeda Cuen. Rest of Top Fifteen: Miss Thailand, Farung Yuthithum; Miss Denmark, Zak lina; Sojic; Miss Slovenia, Tjasa Kokalj; Miss Ukraine, Lyudmyla Bikmullina; and Miss Czech Republic, Lucie Hadasova. Miss Photogenic Award: Miss Philippines, Anna Theresa Licaros. The general public voted on http://www.nbc.com/ for the delegate who exemplifies beauty through the lens of a camera. She received a $1,000 cash prize and a trophy from Rogaska Crystal. Congeniality Award: Miss China, Ningning Zhang. This award reflects the respect and admiration of the delegate’s peers, who voted for her as the most congenial, charismatic and inspirational participant. She also received a $1,000 cash prize and a trophy from Rogaska Crystal. The MISS UNIVERSE  2007 prize package includes: Official Miss UNIVERSE Mikimoto pearl tiara; 2 Year Scholarship from The NY Film Academy in NYC; custom designed wardrobe by Tadashi; National and International multi-media advertising campaign and a complete denim wardrobe from YMI Jeanswear; Swimsuit wardrobe from BSC Swimwear Thailand; Shoe wardrobe from Nina; A Ritmo Mundo Jumbo Jet Mystery Dial time piece; Year-long supply of hair care products and tools from Farouk Systems; Membership to Gravity Fitness and papering at John Barrett Salon; Fashion Portfolio by leading fashion photographer Fadil Berisha; Consultation with stylist Billie Causieestko; New York City apartment for the year of her reign including living expenses; professional representation by the Miss Universe Organization and Trump Model Management; and a personal appearance wardrobe.

Source: The Miss Universe Organization

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