It used to be that video game consoles were for playing video games and, if you wanted anything more, you bought a PC or Mac.

Next, consoles became "home entertainment systems" for playing music, movies and games. Now, it appears they are trying to become home computers for hobbyists. What next?

Open source software, such as the Linux operating system, is typically distributed free on the internet.

In the latest, somewhat ironic, development an anonymous donor has offered £130,000 as prize money for getting Linux to work on Microsoft's Xbox, legally, by the end of the year.

The prize money would be awarded in stages as parts of the project, which is being run on the Xbox Linux project web site, are completed.

According to the site, the identity of the donor is known to the project leaders and well- respected so everything seems legitimate but finding a simple and completely legal way to run Linux on the Microsoft Xbox before January 1 could be difficult, to say the least.

Whatever happens, the Xbox won't be the first console to run Linux. The operating system has been brought to other consoles, such as Sega's now defunct Dreamcast, by hobbyist programmers in the Linux community.

Sony has released an official Linux for the PlayStation 2, which is the first kit to be sold and supported by a major hardware manufacturer for its game console. More than 4,000 people have registered on the Linux for PlayStation 2 community web site.

The bundle, which includes a keyboard, mouse and hard disc drive together with the software, is aimed mainly at the hobbyist home computer enthusiast and Sony recommends users have a basic understanding of the Linux operating system before purchasing it.

After all, let's not forget Sony sells lots of PCs too.

The Linux package makes home-brew game programming and experimentation on the PlayStation 2 affordable for bedroom coders. Their only other alternative is to become a professional, licensed developer and lease a development kit from Sony at a cost of many thousands of pounds.

Remembering my own attempts at programming back in the early Eighties, I will, of course, be contributing to the console Linux movement by sticking to my, thankfully, Linux-free Nintendo GameCube. I know my Linux limitations.

www.linux.org
xbox-linux.sourceforge.net
playstation2-linux.com