A very good feature over at 1up, looks to the past to predict whether the PS3 will have a resounding success similar to that of the PS2. They point out 10 parallels to the PS2 launch/PS3 launch... but then go on to show 10 differences that are evident this time around, and might lead to Sony's downfall as the #1 in the gaming industry.
http://www.1up.com/do/feature?cId=3155102