A few questions before taking the plunge

[MonsterMaxx]

I have been a myth user since 05 on a variety of different distros, currently on CentOS and not thrilled. Ready to try something else.

Can I install Mythbuntu on a usb key? or does it have to go on a drive? is there a performance benefit one way or the other?

Should I use 9 beta or 8? If I use 9 will there be a seamless upgrade path from beta or is it reinstall (in other words will it just keep updating it'self past beta?)

Is there a way to create a 'root' account? I know this is most frowned upon, but...

Thanks for your time.

[newlinux]

I'm not expert on mythbuntu as a distro - but I know you can install regular ubuntu on a usb key (There is actually an application in the liveCD and in the application menu for Intrepid (8.10) and later distros that allow you to create it. So my guess is that you can for mythbuntu too... I don't see why you couldn't.

I think if you start off with 9.04 beta you can just keep installing the latest updates. You don't have to reinstall when it is officially released. Even if you start out with 8.10, you can upgrade the OS instead of reinstalling. How seemless either of these will be varies... As does any upgrade or updates with any OS. works fine for some configurations, not as well for others...

I think your decision on where to start should depend on a lot of factors, including which kernel you may want to have by default. My hardware is mostly old, so most of my systems still run Hardy (8.04) because it is a long term release and sufficient for my needs. A few run 8.10.

Yes, you can enable the root account, but I'm not sure why you'd want to. https://help.ubuntu.com/community/RootSudo will give you instructions and some alternatives (like sudo -i).

[MonsterMaxx]

Can it connect and control a motorola DCH6200?

I have had a terrible time trying to get my premium channels (Charter Communications) to work with Myth.

In my last attempt at this I bought new stuff hooked it all up only to discover that Charter violates FCC law by encrypting the firewire port.
Firewire connection will not work.

I could perhaps connect directly to a capture card and control it with an ir blaster

I could perhaps connect it via the usb port? or maybe control it with the usb port instead of ir blast.

There's also an ethernet port on this box.

Suggestions?