For a good deal of information -- but perhaps not complete info -- on the problems with playing some past-generation PlayStation games on the PS3, go to: playstations site
When there, you can plug in game names and search for the compatibility lowdown. For instance, plug in "Gran Turismo" and you'll see this for "Gran Turismo 4":
"Description: When the title is left inactive on the Main menu, the title hangs on a black screen at a random time."
Check it out for the games you're concerned about and let me know what you think.
On the PR front today, Sony released some tidbits that qualify as news:
-- The biggest selling launch game for the PS3 was "Resistance: Fall of Man," followed by "Madden 07."
-- Sony is crediting the PS3 as having a halo effect on PlayStation Portable and PS2 sales (love, just love, that the e-mail said a "halo" effect): The company says PSP week-over-week sales increased +29% at its top 5 retailers (week ending Nov. 20) and PS2 week-over-week sales increased +24% at our top 5 retailers (week ending Nov. 20).
Two other important supply notes, although they're extremely general and may not be that useful to PS3-hunting consumers. Sony's e-mail said:
"-- PS3s will be airlifted in to the U.S. on a weekly basis through the end of the year. A new shipment has already arrived and will be available at retail by Black Friday" (this Friday)
" -- We are still focused on reaching our goal of 1 million units in the pipeline by Dec. 31 in the U.S."