Making the switch from Windows to Linux - initial questions

[Skarr11]

Shoulda been tweeting this - didn't know I had followers!

Yeah, I wish I could report a better outcome. I initially started out trying to set up a Myth system with Mythbuntu. I'm getting more comfortable using the command line, but I am used to using the Nautilus file manager in Ubuntu, which Mythbuntu doesn't have, and I was really struggling. Then I removed Mythbuntu and installed Ubuntu 10.04, and then MythTV from the Package Manager. I did manage to get it installed and get a picture, but that's about as far as I got. Decided to try the Linux version of Sage since I'm more familiar with that setup. Like I said, it's a time issue, whether it's learning a Linux command, or searching out how to install lirc for remote control support, or ivtv drivers for PVR-350 support, or how to get java going, etc. Documentation is pretty sparse and often inaccurate, and if I didn't have these forums I would not have made any progress.

Don't get me wrong, though - ultimately it is my lack of Linux skills that torpedoed this. Would like to get this working someday, though. Good luck to you!

[kbyrd]

I've refrained from saying this to others in the past because I didn't want to discourage them, but I feel that being comfortable with Linux as an OS is a pre-requisite for getting Sage running reliably.

[bcjenkins]

If you're interested in setting up a Linux server that makes use of media extenders for playback - I can help via remote control if desired.

Sometimes helping via forums is tough because of the time delay. If you would like to setup a remote control session send me a PM.

I am not versed on running placeshifter on Linux but I have successfully run SageTV in a Media Extender environment for ~3 years on a variety of distros - Ubuntu, Arch Linux, Gentoo, and currently Fedora.

B

[Nelbert]

Originally Posted by kbyrd

I've refrained from saying this to others in the past because I didn't want to discourage them, but I feel that being comfortable with Linux as an OS is a pre-requisite for getting Sage running reliably.

+1

Without being comfortable with the OS, once Sage is running, what happens the first time something goes wrong and the whole house is relying on the server? It will go wrong at some point.

Building a running Sage server could be a great driver and goal to help you learn linux, but have realistic expectations. Without knowing linux you won't have an all singing all dancing SageTV, XMLTV, Com-skipping, SMM, BMT server in a couple of days.

[Skarr11]

If you're interested in setting up a Linux server that makes use of media extenders for playback - I can help via remote control if desired.

That's very generous of you, bcjenkins, but I wouldn't want to put anyone through that!

Without being comfortable with the OS, once Sage is running, what happens the first time something goes wrong and the whole house is relying on the server? It will go wrong at some point.

That's another reason I decided to punt on this.