Here is some must haves:
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multiMAN & webMAN
I recommend the lite vrsion of webMAN unless you want to use ps3netsrv [using a linux NAS to store your games] The lite version uses less of the very limited and precious RAM
Install multiMAN first (put the pkg on a FAT32 formatted Stick, put it in your PS3 and install it from "install packages" in XMB's Game column.
Now create a file named "boot_plugins.txt" and insert this line: "/dev_hdd0/webftp_server_lite.sprx" (without quotes of course)
Now put this txt file and the webMAN plugin file (webftp_server_lite.sprx) on an a FAT32 formatted USB stick and stick it in the ps3. Using multiMAN's File Manager, you copy both files to "/dev_hdd0/" This step can also be done using FTP, but you still need to be running multiMAN to connect to your PS3 using FTP.
(once webMAN is installed, you can use FTP everywhere, no matter if you're in XMB or even in a game)
restart your PS3, you should have a new entry in XMB's GAME column.
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PSN Patch
Install the PKG, once it's installed run the Home homebrew once and install everything exept Semi permanent OFW mode and webMAN plugin (since you allready installed the newest one manually). I can't remember exactly how the install process works, it's either a setup prompt, or you have to puch select to open the cobra toolbox and select the parts you want to install.
If everything was installed you should see a popup messege when starting you console (PSN Patch Plugin 4.66.30 enhanced Cobra mode)
Now you are able to use L3+R3+R2 (hold it until you hear a beeb) to disable syscalls and clear game and homebrew launch history to drasticly reduce the risk of getting banned when logging into PSN. After you did this you cannot run any homebrew or mount games through webMAN anymore (and you shouldnt even try, because it might leave traces again), so mount your games before using this combo. You have to restart your PS3 in order to use hombrew or mount games again.
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PrepNTFS
This tool allows you to use NTFS formatted external harddrives (no filesize limitations) to store your game (or movies) in ISO form.
Just create folders PS3ISO, PSXISO, DVDISO and BDISO on the root of the external drive and put the ISO files in the matching folder.
Whenever you you added or removed a game (or movie) on your NTFS drive, you have to run PrepNTFS once and reboot the console.
Now the game/movie should work, and you don't need to run PrepNTFS again, until you add/remove another game/movie.
I haven't used 1.06 and i'm not sure what it's changes are, but 1.01 works fine for me.
(Edit: i just checked the changelog, looks like 1.06 is the way to go)
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PS3 ISO Tools
This tool can convert games from Jailbreak format (folder format) to ISO format to use on external drive as explained above.
However, if you just want an ISO Backup from one of your own games, you can do this with multiMAN.
it creates the iso in /dev_hdd0/PS3ISO, but you can transfer it to you PC using FTP and then put it on your external drive, if you prefer.
i hope i got everything explained correctly. Again, if you have any problems feel free to ask.