I use linux on it.... so today I went and bought another PS3 (one which I will perhaps one day connect to the internet/psn and all that)
So am I pissed that I had to buy a another ps3 so I wouldnt have to worry about firmware updates... Hell yeah.

Again, I think that people are overreacting. If you used the linux to do scientific computing, you just stop updating your firmware. I honestly can't think of any other reason to use it :p
That being said, the slim not having the option really DID annoy me. I think the Cell is garbage, but it would have given me an excuse to buy a PS3 (rather than just four games). Not no more :p

Then so far, that makes you the only person actually eligible to bitch about this.
As for it being an "advertised" feature. It wasn't. At least not here. It was never mentioned in any advertising, print, TV or other wise, was never mentioned on the box, and I expect that when I find my manual to confirm, it will only have a single paragraph quickly referencing its existence, if it's even mentioned at all.

Eh... it does irk me though.... there goes an hour of pay.....bah...
Edit;
Well it was advertised sort of... they say it "Does Everything".... :p

Well if it does everything, it also removes features in the future when deemed necessary =P So it's still living up to that claim.
Seriously though, I think I and many others in this thread will simply have to agree to disagree about this matter. And for those that it does bother and who have an affected "Fat" PS3, why not voice your displeasure to Sony (even if they do decide to ignore such comments)?

lol I did voice my complaints however.... im sure it will fall on deaf ears,

I'm unplugging my internet on the 1st April.
Unrelated, just saying.
OR IS IT?!

Actually the only thing meaningful you told them was that if they break what they sold you you'll give them more money. Not exactly the message I'd want to be sending if I was in your shoes, but I suppose that's your call to make.

No offense bansama, but you are not "ineligible" to take an interest in an issue if it doesn't affect you directly.

Jesus, you actually bought another PS3, just like that? Buy me stuff. =P
That said, I tried Linux on the PS3, messed around with it, but didn't really see the need for it (at least for me). I guess if you're trying to do fancy supercomputing stuff with it, it's important. But not for the average end user in my book.

I'm pretty sure Sony will work with groups like universities to get PS3s that can still run Linux. And why would any of them update their current PS3s? It's not like they're going to use them to play games when they're stuck in server farm situations.
Any normal PS3 owner probably didn't even know the option to install an OS even existed (who reads the manual?). It'll all be fine.

Sorry if this was said already, but I truly think it is an April Fools joke. I mean, look at the date the patch is suppose to hit.
http://kotaku.com/5504123/ps3-loses-linux-support
April 1st. Blizzard has done stuff like this before with their "updates".

Didnt I already? thought I had got a few peeps some games :p
for the most part the ps3 i have running linux is mainly to tinker.... and half to play games, now it is just to tinker and the new one is for games.....

Of course PS3 on Linux was crap.
Sony completely gimped it. Extremely imited access to the Graphics processor and limited access to the cell proc made it just a complete waste of space. The whole draw of having a Linux capable PPC box contained in the sleek, media room friendly device with built in bluray and remote was obviously to run media players. Imagine XBMC running on a PS3.Of course Sony gimped it, because not doing so would compete with there own crappy media dashboard
Something that doesn't seem to be mentioned is that the exploit that this update is supposed to patch COULD have led to umgimped other OS, which actually could've been useful for something
Just like how the exploited original xbox led to xbox-linux and the awesome XBMC

When he purchased the product, he purchased it based on the offered features. Whether he used them or not IS beside the point because neither retailer nor consumer can see in the future and no how often a feature will be used. If that feature wasn't offered at purchasing time then his decision making process would be different.
Removing a feature is just like offering a feature that doesn't work. It's unethical at best.
And here in Australia at least, the PS3 was routinely talke about before launch for it's versatile features, including other OS support and backwards compatibility.

Well... Damn. I was wrong. But you know... I'm not as angry as I thought I would be.
Sure, I'm pissed that I payed for a feature given to me at launch but... I only thought of using it... Watching videos and reviews of the feature, it didn't even seem worth my time to install Linux on my PS3. If I ever wanted to use it, I would just boot into it on my PC. It does bother me that Sony just did this as a quick fix instead of trying to increase security through firmware, but it doesn't matter either way since it isn't mandatory. Hackers are still gonna use it to crack the PS3, make CFW (which I don't mind, but will lead to pirating by black hats...), and I know black hats will start fucking up online gameplay with game hacks...