PS3 to Print money?

[tenchi86]

Sony may have stumbled upon an idea that might just let gamers earn some of their money back from the PS3's hefty price tag. According to a report from The Financial Times, Sony is currently in talks with several business firms regarding the commercial application of the Cell processor, the engine behind the massive power of the PlayStation 3.

The news comes in the wake of the recent success of Folding@home, the non-profit research project currently run by Stanford University. After the PS3 joined the ranks of the CPU units dedicated to the project in late March, processing output for the project has grown significantly, with just 10,000 PS3s supplying the power of 200,000 Windows PCs.

The report states that, since word of the project's accomplishments spread, Sony has received several inquiries from business firms regarding their model for distributed computing.

"This kind of computing model could be used in a commercial application," said Masa Chatani, chief technology officer at Sony Computer Entertainment. "For example, a start-up or a pharmaceutical company that lacks a super-computer could utilize this kind of infrastructure."

To elucidate further, Chatani states that, should such a company seek to solve a particularly big problem through the aid of number-crunching, the project could be distributed to PS3 users across the globe. However, he admits that most users would find the idea of helping Sony make money for zero compensation to be particularly disdainful.

To address this issue, the company is currently examining options of repaying participants. One example he provided is the possible offering of incentives to those who volunteer the services of their PS3s, such as free products and money towards purchases made on the PlayStation Network.http://www.gamesindustry.biz/content_page.php?aid=24108

Pretty interesting, not sure how it would work if say only 3k units are needed and 2million want the job. Maybe a first come first serve bases?

[PYROMANIAC]

sounds pretty interesting, i just noticed the f@h stats and how the ps3's are crushing everything. instead of leave my computer on to fold i'll just leave the ps3 on. i wouldnt mind getting some of that money back for participating either :)

[tenchi86]

I really don't see how it would work to where owners make more then a few cents. What I think would be better is if companies paid Sony and Sony in return gave people who signed up to help exclusive PSN content, or maybe something as small even as a badge or something in Home. (Would only run the programs in that case if I felt they were worthy causes)

[rainless]

I really don't see how it would work to where owners make more then a few cents. What I think would be better is if companies paid Sony and Sony in return gave people who signed up to help exclusive PSN content, or maybe something as small even as a badge or something in Home. (Would only run the programs in that case if I felt they were worthy causes)

Isn't that EXACTLT what they just said? Are we reading the same article?

[Vampiregabe]

This would help Sony bring in extra revenue, and if it works could be very profitable. If it works, it would be really cool.

I am not sure if I would participate. I mean, come on, an electronic badge, or game content? I would be using my electricity to power the PS3, in order for another company to benefit? There would have to be some monetary compensation for me to donate my electricity.

Have you seen the cost of a kilowatt of power lately? In VA they are trying to raise the rates, again, and the far majority of the power here is nuclear power, uneffected by the rising gas prices.

[rainless]

This would help Sony bring in extra revenue, and if it works could be very profitable. If it works, it would be really cool.

I am not sure if I would participate. I mean, come on, an electronic badge, or game content? I would be using my electricity to power the PS3, in order for another company to benefit? There would have to be some monetary compensation for me to donate my electricity.

Have you seen the cost of a kilowatt of power lately? In VA they are trying to raise the rates, again, and the far majority of the power here is nuclear power, uneffected by the rising gas prices.

And these f***ing next-gen systems will power you right into the poor house. I don't have a PS3... but have you seen the SIZE of the 360 adapter? It outweighs the 360! I'm sure the PS3 adapter is even bigger than that. I needed a special voltage converter for my 360... And I've seen the adapter for the Wii too...

All the PS2 needed was a PLUG.

[hUMANbEATbOX]

And these f***ing next-gen systems will power you right into the poor house. I don't have a PS3... but have you seen the SIZE of the 360 adapter? It outweighs the 360! I'm sure the PS3 adapter is even bigger than that. I needed a special voltage converter for my 360... And I've seen the adapter for the Wii too...

All the PS2 needed was a PLUG.

my slim ps2 has a pretty hefty power brick. original was a straight plug tho..

[Elif Tymes]

That's because the "power brick" was inside the system. Much like how laptops have an AC adapter, same with the 360/Wii/PS3/PS2 to save space on the actual unit + to keep the heat output away from the rest of the internals.

[hUMANbEATbOX]

yes i know :p

[sno.lcn]

Why should anyone get anything for folding on the ps3? That's stupid and will encourage some kind of cheating and illegal borging of other units. Plus you get points and your own stats page, as well as helping your team (http://www.ocforums.com/forumdisplay.php?f=21). And it's researching diseases like cancer, I would have thought that was reason enough.

[Knacko]

Why should anyone get anything for folding on the ps3? That's stupid and will encourage some kind of cheating and illegal borging of other units. Plus you get points and your own stats page, as well as helping your team (http://www.ocforums.com/forumdisplay.php?f=21). And it's researching diseases like cancer, I would have thought that was reason enough.

Anyone who donates to a non-profit organization will get a tax write-off. With F@H, you don't get anything, except a higher electricity bill. If this were implemented, I'm sure there would be very stringent rules involved.

[Elif Tymes]

Was talking to Rainless, who seemed to think the PS2 didn't have a power brick.

[Daleon]

I love to see a pic of the room with 10k PS3's lol.

[sno.lcn]

Anyone who donates to a non-profit organization will get a tax write-off. With F@H, you don't get anything, except a higher electricity bill. If this were implemented, I'm sure there would be very stringent rules involved.
People shouldn't donate to non-profits for the sake of getting a few tax deductions. For some reason I thought the purpose of donating time/money/etc. was helping others and striving for the common good...I guess I completely missed the point then :bang head



Was talking to Rainless, who seemed to think the PS2 didn't have a power brick.
My ps2 didn't have a power brick but it was a v4 :p

[Elif Tymes]

It does have a power brick, it's just inside the unit. the "poewr brick" is simply a converter that changes a 110V AC current to a 12v DC(or whichever the PS2 uses)

Similiar to our Power Supplies. The fact that the power brick is now outside of the box is just a logical progression if they want to make the devices smaller. I expect we'll start seeing full desktop PC's with a "power brick" soon.

[tenchi86]

Actually the PS3 has no "Power Brick" and is a straight plug much like on the original PS2, and at Full load the PS3 will use around 200Watts which in my area that is around 10$s a month 24/7. So yes I have looked at all these things before. That is also why I said it would have to be something I support, like F@H or a program like it. I am of course not going to waist my electricity running some program that I do not support at all.

Oh and Fudge, yes we are reading the same article. I was just had comments I heard on another forum going through my mind and it was like 5AM.

(I say "Power Brick" as people usually say that referring to the external adapter, the PS2/PS3 are both hidden in the units much like a PC has it's power supply inside.)

[Knacko]

People shouldn't donate to non-profits for the sake of getting a few tax deductions. For some reason I thought the purpose of donating time/money/etc. was helping others and striving for the common good...I guess I completely missed the point then :bang head

I fully agree with you. But even with the incentive of tax deductions and such, a large amount of the general population do not donate anything. With F@H offering no incentives, it becomes even less attractive to the general population. That's the point I was trying to make.

Offering points or special content would give some incentive (with very little cost) and could greatly increase computing power for distributed projects.

[OC Noob]

Wow, I will sell you a product and then profit from your property.

Tell you what, I'll sell you my car and while you are at work or sleeping I'll rent it out as a cab, but I'll give you a tenth of what I make from renting your car out. I won't compensate for the added milage or the gas, but maybe I'll buy you the Gears of War map pack, lol.

Forget helping research for disease cure, we will give you some free skins if you let use sell those cycles.

lol, only Sony (... maybe MS) could get people to bite on this one.

[tenchi86]

/\Well it's not like you are forced to do it. If you don't agree with the program then simply do not run it, though I do like that Sony is going out and looking for other things to do with the system such as F@H and this rather then just games.

[OC Noob]

/\Well it's not like you are forced to do it. If you don't agree with the program then simply do not run it, though I do like that Sony is going out and looking for other things to do with the system such as F@H and this rather then just games.

Yeah, it is cool that it folds and folds well, its just funny how intrusive companies can be with their money making schemes and its certainly not limited to Sony.

[PYROMANIAC]

um, so i guess whenever a company does something to make money it's just a money making scheme of the devil right? like donating to the forums, total money making scheme, so devilish...right?

who cares if sony makes money from you folding? it's your choice to run it and if they want to give out rewards to people as an enticement then more power to them. if it helps the greater good who really cares. what we should be mad about is the xbox elite not coming with hd-dvd or wifi or bluetooth.

[deception``]

Wow, I will sell you a product and then profit from your property.

This, my friend, is called licensing. Companies do it all the time - pharmaceutical companies and fast food chains [in the form of franchises] come to mind. Licensing is essentially the sale of an [intellectual] property and the charging fees for it's use or likeness.

Personally, I think it's a novel and great idea. The best part is that Sony is willing to offer incentives to PS3 owners.

Furthermore, I think this whole "why help a company make money" stance is a little misguided. We do it all the time:

When you see a movie and tell your friends about it.

When you buy a GPU or CPU and write on the forums about your benchmark or gaming performance.

When you buy a new game for your console and call your friends over to check it out.

That's right...it's FREE advertising. Believe it or not, you are saving that firm[s] thousands, if not millions simply based on a positive word-of-mouth review. Of course, there are many more cases of this, but the point is that it's quite common.

deception``

[deception``]

what we should be mad about is the xbox elite not coming with hd-dvd or wifi or bluetooth.

Don't really see how this is relevant here. For the record, the 360 Elite is largely targeted toward a select few and most will continue to buy the very reasonable Premium.

We could also be angry about the fact that we'll now have to pay $600 for any PS3 in America; Better yet, let's rant about how the Wii is so attractively priced yet not available anywhere.

deception``

[OC Noob]

um, so i guess whenever a company does something to make money it's just a money making scheme of the devil right? like donating to the forums, total money making scheme, so devilish...right?

who cares if sony makes money from you folding? it's your choice to run it and if they want to give out rewards to people as an enticement then more power to them. if it helps the greater good who really cares. what we should be mad about is the xbox elite not coming with hd-dvd or wifi or bluetooth.

When it comes down to it corperations are inherantly (sp?) evil. They are profit driven entities, not your buddy from grade school, but that a whole different topic. I'm pretty sure the devil was never mentioned, but Fold is people giving their cycles for a good cause and Sony doesn't get copensated, nor do the folders. I'm not too sure what you are taking about there.

There is a difference between giving your cycles to a good cause and giving your cycles so bill, bob or ted can profit from them. Like I said, if people get a cut then its cool, but if you get some lame ass skin pack then you are not very smart. You might as well save the $10 a month in electricity and buy whatever it is you want with it or better yet donate it to Folding@home.


This, my friend, is called licensing. Companies do it all the time - pharmaceutical companies and fast food chains [in the form of franchises] come to mind. Licensing is essentially the sale of an [intellectual] property and the charging fees for it's use or likeness.

Personally, I think it's a novel and great idea. The best part is that Sony is willing to offer incentives to PS3 owners.

Furthermore, I think this whole "why help a company make money" stance is a little misguided. We do it all the time:

When you see a movie and tell your friends about it.

When you buy a GPU or CPU and write on the forums about your benchmark or gaming performance.

When you buy a new game for your console and call your friends over to check it out.

That's right...it's FREE advertising. Believe it or not, you are saving that firm[s] thousands, if not millions simply based on a positive word-of-mouth review. Of course, there are many more cases of this, but the point is that it's quite common.

deception``

But you don't licence a PS3, you buy it and you own the hardware. If you actually get a cut of what is made, sure why not, but if you are given a few download points for paying for the fuel and putting wear and tear on your hardware because you are letting some else use it to make cash, you are a sucker.

I don't pay a dime to tell someone if a movie is good, I don't licence my pills, I eat em and shat em out. Last but not least, I don't care if people help a company make money, i just think they are stupid if they buy $600 in hardware and then give the use of that hardware back without getting compensated when the company is getting compensated.