One fixed aspect is that it will be based round an HP Microserver. I have looked at lots of free NAS solutions but concluded that a server is a better option as more things can be done with it. Eg local ports available for back up’s, maybe even streaming video to a TV via a VGA to HDMI converter, cron jobs - the list is endless. I was keen on ZFS self healing but mdadm discs can be scrubbed and I could also fit a raid card if I was feeling particularly manic.
One of my major concerns is that I prefer to do everything from a desktop even if that just gains a decent editor. One solution seems to be to set the “server” up as a desktop machine using say LXDE, load what ever is needed and using that remotely via VNC but from a KDE desktop or maybe even an at the moment Windoze netbook.
I’ve looked at webyast but that doesn’t really offer what I want. The thing I haven’t tied down is if VNC can be used from and to different desktop environments. Also be interested in any other ways of achieving the same thing. If the box finishes up in the living room netbook control of it’s desktop would be just about ideal and far more capable than the ir remote set ups some use. Well worth bearing in mind.
John
On 2013-07-08 11:46, John 82 wrote:
> I’ve looked at webyast but that doesn’t really offer what I want. The
> thing I haven’t tied down is if VNC can be used from and to different
> desktop environments. Also be interested in any other ways of achieving
> the same thing. If the box finishes up in the living room netbook
> control of it’s desktop would be just about ideal and far more capable
> than the ir remote set ups some use. Well worth bearing in mind.
You can start any X application easily from another computer. Just open
a terminal (konsole, xterm, etc) and run “ssh -X
user@address_of_server” (or -Y), and then type whatever command, be it
CLI or graphical, and use it.
If you want a full graphical session, X is a server/client structure, so
you can start a full graphical session without needing anything like
VNC. It is native to Unix/Linux.
Me, I use the first method.
–
Cheers / Saludos,
Carlos E. R.
(from 12.3 x86_64 “Dartmouth” at Telcontar)
We have a Dune box under the telly. One aim would be to replace that with a similar interface. I’m not at all sure that either of those suggestions would be suitable especially as my wife has no problems driving the Dune - well not too many.
Also having spent days weeks and even years bashing in several different system consoles you might say that I have developed an aversion to them. 
No intention of fully picking up yet another one either.
John
On 2013-07-08 16:36, John 82 wrote:
>
> We have a Dune box under the telly.
Then, if it is for multimedia, have a look at mythtv. Start from the
wikipedia.
> Also having spent days weeks and even years bashing in several
> different system consoles you might say that I have developed an
> aversion to them. No intention of fully picking up yet another one
> either.
You can not love Linux and hate consoles. No way.
–
Cheers / Saludos,
Carlos E. R.
(from 12.3 x86_64 “Dartmouth” at Telcontar)
It’s not too bad from the desktop Carlos. I’ve been using it exclusively for a long time. From time to time I need help on here but to be honest not that often. I found this site fairly recently. There was another. My 1st linux installation dates well into when Suse was run from Germany. Not sure if it was V7 or 8. Probably 7. At that time it could be bought with docs - I still have V9’s and Novel’s skimpy V10.
Not just multimedia. Interesting link. Read the 1st review. There are also XMBC set ups about that also run Samba. It should be possible to do the same sort of thing with OpenSuse.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/product-reviews/B004FPOOQM/ref=dp_top_cm_cr_acr_txt?ie=UTF8&showViewpoints=1
I will look at the wiki and also hope to get an answer on VNC. It’s used extensively in offices on fairly large nets for maintenance - windoze.
John
On 2013-07-08 20:56, John 82 wrote:
> I will look at the wiki and also hope to get an answer on VNC. It’s
> used extensively in offices on fairly large nets for maintenance -
> windoze.
Yep - windoze 
–
Cheers / Saludos,
Carlos E. R.
(from 12.3 x86_64 “Dartmouth” at Telcontar)