Debian base vs. Zenwalk for ogg/mp3 player PC

[timzak]

This is for a PC that will mostly play mp3 and ogg music files. I also need it to work with samba so I can access shares on both Windows and Linux PCs on my home network. Nothing mission critical--purely a fun "hobby" project. What I am shooting for is the best combination of performance and looks. Here's the system:
AthlonXP 2200+ (1.8Ghz single-core)
1.0 GB ram
Soundblaster Live! original sound card
Geforce 3 Ti200 video (runs compiz very smoothly on this system)

Currently this system is running Ubuntu 7.10 very well. I know, why change if it's running well? Like I said, this is a fun project for me.

I am partial to Rhythmbox as I've been using it on this machine for awhile now. The only other software I really need on this machine is Firefox, Streamtuner and media plugins.

I'd like this system to fly, yet still be able to run compiz for effects.

What would be a better approach: Debian base install with xfce? I'm not that experienced yet as a Linux user, so I'm not sure how difficult it would be to set up compiz (I've only ever used Ubuntu where setup and configuration is very minimal). Or would Zenwalk 5.2 be a better option? It's pretty much set up out of the box.

From a security standpoint, do I have to manually install everything I would need to secure the machine when using a Debian base install? Or does the base install take care of that.

What setup would run faster, a custom Debian install or Zenwalk? How difficult would configuration be on each setup?

Thanks in advance for any replies.

[kerry_s]

a base build up requires a lot of time and patience, you have to install everything including the sound software.
so for what you want, then zenwalk will be your best bet.

you can try the debian prebuilt xfce4 setup though and see.
http://cdimage.debian.org/debian-cd/4.0_r3/i386/iso-cd/debian-40r3-i386-xfce-CD-1.iso

[timzak]

a base build up requires a lot of time and patience, you have to install everything including the sound software.
so for what you want, then zenwalk will be your best bet.

you can try the debian prebuilt xfce4 setup though and see.
http://cdimage.debian.org/debian-cd/4.0_r3/i386/iso-cd/debian-40r3-i386-xfce-CD-1.iso

Thank you for your reply. Any other distro recommendations would be greatly appreciated as well.

[basenvironment]

I'd go for a debian lenny setup

grab lenny from here
http://www.debian.org/devel/debian-installer/

check the distrowatch page for software versions available in debian
http://distrowatch.com/debian

[Barrucadu]

I personally would go for Arch, as I know how to tune it for speed and can set it all up from memory. However, unless you've looked at Arch before I'd suggest Zenwalk as it is very nice, fast, and infinitely more preconfigured than Arch.

[Antman]

a Base Build Up Requires A Lot Of Time And Patience, You Have To Install Everything Including The Sound Software.
So For What You Want, Then Zenwalk Will Be Your Best Bet.
+1

[sujoy]

i would say either arch or debian testing. the advantage of these being that you can configure for speed easily and also have a nice package management, which might later save some codec hunts.

[mips]

I personally would go for Arch, as I know how to tune it for speed and can set it all up from memory. However, unless you've looked at Arch before I'd suggest Zenwalk as it is very nice, fast, and infinitely more preconfigured than Arch.

+1

I need to try Zenwalk some time when I get vmware 64bit up and running.