after 24 years with MS, its time to move on?

Hello.

Ive been trying a few distros during last 4-5 years, on different computers.
(all have worked just well out of the box, for most of my needs, exept high end games)

Now i have a idea of setting up linux all around the house, including a server for my media.
And here i really are going to need alot of help......

Lets start with what i have.

The server is an older Intel Core 2 Duo E6600 2.4GHz but it should do just fine for server use.
ive got a IDE 250gig system disk, a 500Gb media HD (ntfs atm.. so im not certain how to move data from NTFS disk) to the last HD on server, who is a 1TB disc, that is unused atm. Guessing i can install ubuntu, get ntfs file support, format 1tb disc, move data to that one and reformat 500 gig HD.

The two other computers in the network (one in bedroom and one in livingroom)
Are both Gigabyte GA-990FXA-UD3, Socket-AM3
The livingroom computer is a FX4100 prosessor, 8gb of 1600mhz ram, and Nvidia GF560TI
(this is the one i am using for music and movies) so im hoping my hw is working decent with any distro. (thinking of XBMC)

I also have a few laptops and a good old Galaxy P1000 Tab, and both my gf and i have Galaxy SII phones......

Now.. thats what i have... what i want is to be able to have a easy way to set up my server, and get a decent media setup for my livingroom.
Pref i want to be able to controll my media from my adroid based phones/tab.
(this worked pretty decent in windows.)

At least i will be dual booting my bedroom computer to be able to play BF3 once in a while...... (reading something about steam+linux..som there might be hope one day)

Now here is the hard part.....
Ive used Microsoft since the days you did write your own autoexec.bat files, and have no clue about linux. yes ive tried a few distros, but they all worked just out of the box.
(have to google to figure how to open console...) so im not familiar with none MS.....
Trouble on moust guides for linux, is that they say... open "somethig" or start "something", but i have no clue what or how to start... so i really need basic step by step guides for kids.....

Therefore i need some help for what distro to use on the server, and what to use on my media senter. it might work great with same distro on both... but i dont know...

it would be great if i could reach my media on server from android phones/tab, and if i did boot one computer in windows7.

so what do ppl suggest i install on server and mediapc? what should i do with my media on the NTFS disk? (dont want to loose my history with pictures....
All help is needed and appritiated.
sorry abotu syntax error and alot of questions... more will follow.

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Trouble on moust guides for linux, is that they say... open "somethig" or start "something", but i have no clue what or how to start...

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Starting programs should be easy in any distro (although I wouldn't know how to start a program in Unity - I hear that they have removed the start menu, so I would have to use a command prompt).

The difficult part is knowing which programs you need to run to achieve different tasks. There is no easy way round this. You have learned over the years which programs you would use in windows, but they all have different names (and sometimes different capabilities) in Linux. Your best bet is to use these forums when you need to know how to do a new task.

You should try the live CDs of the different distros to get an idea which one feels most comfortable.

AS for your pictures, Linux can read NTFS, but by the sound of it, you don't have a backup. Make one now. Today. Before the hard disk fails. I lost all mine once because I didn't keep backups, and the disk gave no warning that it was going to fail.

SSD Solid State Drive or SSD is awesome I will only use these as my main drive due to high reliability and they are getting cheaper each year. Also if they reach there end of life they will go to read only so you can get all your important data off of them.

Sorry I've never done a home server but servers I've used FreeBSD, Opensuse, Ubuntu, Debian and CentOS. They all work I would suggest using the one your most comfortable with, as your probably setting up from the commandline if you use ssh then you can set from any other box useand Google as needed even Windows if you must.

Of the distro's above I'd probably go for Ubuntu, FreeBSD or CentOS here,s a link that might be useful http://www.server-world.info/en/note....04&p=download there centOS howto were good and here's a link to the Linux action show http://www.jupiterbroadcasting.com/2...er-las-s24e02/

thank you for replies....

just a thought, but setting up server in command promt... is ..hmm...scary...
I might just use regular ubuntu on server, and share from there...
I kinda feel safer with point and click as far as that is possible....

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Originally Posted by Gone fishing

Sorry I've never done a home server but servers I've used FreeBSD, Opensuse, Ubuntu, Debian and CentOS. They all work I would suggest using the one your most comfortable with, as your probably setting up from the commandline if you use ssh then you can set from any other box useand Google as needed even Windows if you must.

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Hi, DeathByDigital

Personally, I'd agree that Debian is probably your best OS for a server.
It has many high end admin tools that will suite the tasks you need done.

As for your desktops, I'd go for Lubuntu (LXDE) or Xubuntu (XFCE) as they're very lightweight GUI's with minimum graphics that won't slow your computers down.

But don't let that fool you, they carry all the same codecs and media players you'd need to look at pictures and play movies.

I'm not a fan of KDE or Unity as, in my opinion, they hog too many resources.

As suggested by others, do a bit more research and find what you feel most comfortable with.

Good luck!!

ive tried the smaller distros on a asus eee pc once, and they worked fine.
(as long as i didnt touch anything :) hehe )

But i think my systems should be able to run most distros?

best feel i got from kubuntu, but well... changing parameters/resolution did kill my fun with that...

Ubuntu is what ive spent most time with, and its working great out of the box...
So i probably should stick to that...

downloading 64bit as i write....

+1 for Debian on the server

If you're used to Ubuntu, then it's a smaller adjustment to get used to Debian.

As far as graphical environments go, you might go even lighter weight and run just a window manager instead of a full desktop environment. You can run FVWM, Openbox or Enlightenment without needing to also add in a heavy desktop environment. Also with a light WM, it reminds you that you are on the server. However, the shell is so flexible and powerful, the sooner you find your way around with it, the better. But it's ok to get used to it gradually.

As I don't have a TV I have never had a use for a media sever but is XBMC or Mythbuntu what you are after?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/XBMC
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mythbuntu

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Originally Posted by DeathByDigital

just a thought, but setting up server in command promt... is ..hmm...scary...

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New things often are. But once you get used to them, they aren't "new" any more and you often wonder how you ever made do without them.