i do not know about Linux, but with windows the PS3 controller is not really supported, and i would guess so for all three of the major OSes. (OS's?)
Now, since i love PlayStation, i looked around and found these articles, and i hope they can be of use to you.
https://help.ubuntu.com/community/Sixaxis
Since the Sixaxis (the joysticks) were not working, i bet this will help the most.
These other articles may help, again i do not usually use Linux so im not sure.
http://www.reddit.com/r/linux_gaming...n_ubuntu_1404/
http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=1745206
Hope these help!