What can one do with an Xbox running Linux?

[SamuraiSmurfette]

Just as the topic states. I came across just such one of these beasts. But why would anyone want to do this to an Xbox? What is the purpose?

[Ze_ro]

Basically, it turns your X-Box into a (relatively) cheap computer (Or at least, it did at one point... I think you could probably build a better computer for a comparable price, but if you already have an X-Box, then there you go).

As long as you plug in a mouse and keyboard, you should be able to do pretty much anything that a 733MHz PC running Linux is able to do.

--Zero

[jonjandran]

It does the same thing that putting Linux on any computer will do.

ALLOW YOU TO TAKE OVER THE WORLD

[scooterb23]

It does the same thing that putting Linux on any computer will do.

KEEP PAPERS FROM FLYING OFF YOUR DESK!

[AB Positive]

It's more of a linux-geek thing, we like to put linux on anything and everything. There's linux on DC, Saturn, toasters, refridgerators... etc...


Also, with a linuXBox, you can play a lot of older PC/linux games, as well as use XMame, FrotzX, and such.


Or, have a really really really cheap Apache webserver.


-AG

[Ze_ro]

Actually, I would imagine that the X-Box port of Linux would be one of the more useful "vanity ports"... The Dreamcast one is basically useless unless you have a broadband adaptor, and the same will certainly be true of the work-in-progress Gamecube version. Having a hard drive in the X-Box makes it a lot more useful for normal computer tasks at least.

However, from what I can tell (I don't have an X-Box, so correct me if I'm wrong), there don't seem to be any USB ports on the X-Box (aside from the Not-Quite-USB joystick ports), so I'm not sure how you'd actually type stuff in... unless there are a keyboard and mouse for the system that I don't know about.

--Zero

[AB Positive]

there is a usb - XBOX module (mainly for use in PSO for people that didn't want to use voice) that allows keyboard and mouse usage.


-AG

[SirDrexl]

However, from what I can tell (I don't have an X-Box, so correct me if I'm wrong), there don't seem to be any USB ports on the X-Box (aside from the Not-Quite-USB joystick ports), so I'm not sure how you'd actually type stuff in... unless there are a keyboard and mouse for the system that I don't know about.

--Zero

The joystick ports really are USB ports, just with different-shaped connectors. You just need to get an adaptor (such as the one AdamG mentioned), or you can make your own. It's as easy as cutting open the cable from a USB device and an XBox controller cable and attaching the wires inside together. They're even the same colors.

[ehall]

It's not the having of the Linux X-box, it's the challenge of installing Linux on an x-box. Or a Toaster. Or a Dead Badger (http://www.strangehorizons.com/2004/20040405/badger.shtml)

[Jorpho]

(Wow. Nice link.)