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Where's the Xbox 180?—getting kids involved in free software

Matt Barton
2005-11-22
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I’m sure I’ll be running across a flood of news today about Microsoft’s new Xbox 360. Of course, like everyone else I know who is into games, I’m curious about this new box (and Sony’s eventual response). I’m also wondering about issues like copy prevention measures and how difficult these systems will be to “mod” to circumvent them.

Even at $400, the next generation of game consoles will represent a good deal of game-centric computing power for a much lesser price than personal computers could match (though I’m sure there are folks here who could easily build a more powerful box using FS for even less—but, sadly, the best games still seem to be available only with non-free licenses). There has been some effort to create a freer, more open box for games—the GP32 springs to mind—but a far larger share of kids are growing up with proprietary boxes and media encrusted with code to force unnecessary scarcity. This is sad for a number of reasons. I think the time has come to start seriously thinking about broadening the scope of FS beyond servers and programmer-centric software and start thinking seriously about appealing to kids.

Bill Gates learned LONG ago that appealing to kids was the way to ensure the longevity of his software empire. So far, the GNU/Linux community has virtually ignored them. FS gaming development does of course exist, but to say it’s on the backburner is an understatement. Where is the Free XBox? Where is the massive support among the FS community for game software and hardware development? I can’t tell you how many hardcore FSOSS advocates I know have actually bought proprietary game consoles for their kids. This is bad news.

I can’t speak for everyone here, but what drew me to computers in the first place were videogames and fun apps—stuff that a smart 9 year old could get into. We need to be getting today’s 9-year olds into FS. Let’s give the kids something besides an Xbox 360 to ignite their synapses.

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Copyright information

This entry is (C) Copyright by its author, 2004-2008. Unless a different license is specified in the entry's body, the following license applies: "Verbatim copying and distribution of this entire article is permitted in any medium without royalty provided this notice is preserved and appropriate attribution information (author, original site, original URL) is included".

Biography

Matt Barton: Matt Barton is an English professor at St. Cloud State University in Minnesota. He is an advocate of free software, wikis, and the Creative Commons. He also studies and writes about videogames and computing history. Matt also has blogs at Armchair Arcade, Gameology, and Kairosnews.

is it true that xbox 180 is a fake

I hope it is true but probably not because microsoft said they weren't going to come out with a portable console (at least not this generation). But they might change their mind as it is not to late in this generation.

i hope that it comes out if not then at least they still have the 360

Of course it is fake. Everything that Microsoft does is a sincere waste of time. :p

y u hatin on microsoft

its true xbox 180 is coming out this summer i saw a picture of one its a portable 360

When do the xbox 180 come out

is it true that it is real,because if it isnt i am going to buy a psp and stay with playstation in stead of xbox

every body is asking wheres a 180 ha i dont belive you until its in my hands or send me a pix

it's the portable version fo xbox 360. it's coming out this summer or early fall. go to google images and search xbox 180. it looks so great im gonna buy it when it comes out.

not gonna happen

not gonna happen and if it does there just taken sonys ideas

so microsoft should just stand back and watch psp obliterate ds
it called marketing
PS3 copied 360 just gave it a blue ray disc player
but copied the harddrive and just put a little bigger one

ya thats for sure

You're a real genius. Besides the fact that Nintendo has sold about 4x as many DS than Sony has PSP? I don't mind Sony, but please, stick to regular consoles. Nintendo has been doing portables way longer than you.

is it real, i hope it is i would pay $100 more than a psp for it, but if it isn't i am stciking with all ps systems. besides alot of people enjoy psp ps ps2 ps3vbetter than xbox and xbox 360.

xbox is better than ps2 and ps3 sucks its so expensive for nothin

i hope the 180 comes out and i hope its not a fake

xbox 180 is so fake

it should come out its on wikepedia

ps3 is better because you can surf da web

if the 180 dont come out will at least there is psp2 i think

i think the xbox 180 is a good idea a portable xbox would easily take on a psp or a psp 2

Seriously? Most of you guys argue like you are three years old its rather pathetic... Now Nintendo completely blows all other handhelds out of the water... Now the majority of you aren't even gamers just lame fanboys... Who cares who the console is made by, just play it and enjoy... They all have features the others don't and all have there own exclusive games... Its really pathetic people have to argue over whats better... Its just like rascism... And to all of you who are true gamers I thank you

xbox 180 isnt a real game its joke like "your mama's so broke she had to buy a xbox 180."see!!!!!

I would so pay over $600 for an xbox 180....its so worth it

EVERYONE SAYS XBOX 180 ISFAKE WEEL UR WRONG ITS THE BEST IDEA EVER!!!!!!!!!!

Hey I think the xbox 180 is real. One of my friends friend showed him a magizene that showed a real xbox 180 and it's featuring HALO 3 on it. Im sure its true. It looks awsome!!

sorry to say but there is no xbox 180. my dad works for microsoft and they recently had a meeting about and the decided not to make an xbox 180. SORRY

the only reason me and literally half of america would buy it is just for halo 3 but if they **** this thing up im gonna be so pissed. Their a circular version of the Xbox 180 that looks pretty neat, i think that would be the best. the PSP is **it, hurts my hands if i play it, so this is gonna be the biggest thing
if they dont **** it up

YOur Wrong i have see the December issue of Games TM and Xbox 360 offical and they are featuring the Xbox 180 but they can't decide over two images one has a flip up screen and the other one isn't and if you want details email me
PS. i have friends in Mircosoft and my dad was bill gates friend before he went to college and he recently email him and he said we have decided to make it but the screen and look this is a issue they are still pondering

Hi,

This is the commenter's third attempt to write the comment. The previous "drafts" (which didn't make it through the moderation queue) were... err... not quite something I would ever publish in FSM, because of the word choices.

Merc.

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