Difference between revisions of "User:Linux-SA"

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(My AUSTRALIAN Hardware:)
(Introduction:)
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If you're wondering why I've chosen the nickname Linux-SA - it's to honor my state's L.U.G. (Linux User Group) that I've been involved in since early 2000, located at: http://www.linuxsa.org.au<br><br>
 
If you're wondering why I've chosen the nickname Linux-SA - it's to honor my state's L.U.G. (Linux User Group) that I've been involved in since early 2000, located at: http://www.linuxsa.org.au<br><br>
  
LinuxMCE is our third experiment in using Linux.  Our first attempt was Redhat 9, followed by Suse 10 - neither of which suited our needs and only lasted on our computers for less then a few months.  By far LinuxMCE is the longest we've had Linux running in our home and we are in the process of integrating it into our entire home - including the home itself.<br><br><br>
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LinuxMCE is our third experiment in using Linux.  Our first attempt was Redhat 9, followed by Suse 10 - neither of which suited our needs and only lasted on our computers for less then a few months.  By far LinuxMCE is the longest we've had Linux running in our home and we are in the process of integrating it into our entire home - including running the home itself!<br><br><br>
  
 
== My AUSTRALIAN Hardware: ==
 
== My AUSTRALIAN Hardware: ==

Revision as of 05:41, 16 July 2008

Introduction:

Hi, and thank you for visiting my little corner of the LinuxMCE wiki!

My real name is David, and I was born in San Antonio, Texas. U.S.A. I currently live and work in Adelaide South Australia, AUSTRALIA - where I immigrated in August, 1982 with my mom and dad and youngest sister Alison. On July 4, 1999 I was married to Tanya, with whom we've had three wonderful boys, Jacob, Mark and Matthew.

My last role (working for someone else) was as a Regional Manager of a Telecommunications Company called "Telkom." Currently, I run a small business called Forum SA - located at: http://www.forumsa.com.au

If you're wondering why I've chosen the nickname Linux-SA - it's to honor my state's L.U.G. (Linux User Group) that I've been involved in since early 2000, located at: http://www.linuxsa.org.au

LinuxMCE is our third experiment in using Linux. Our first attempt was Redhat 9, followed by Suse 10 - neither of which suited our needs and only lasted on our computers for less then a few months. By far LinuxMCE is the longest we've had Linux running in our home and we are in the process of integrating it into our entire home - including running the home itself!


My AUSTRALIAN Hardware:

This wiki outlines all of the 100% Linux MCE compatible AUSTRALIAN hardware that I'm currently using to run my Linux MCE 0710 - i386 setup.

It's been posted so that you (the new person to LMCE) can have a better understanding of what just works (plug and play) here in AUSTRALIA without messing around with drivers or 'hacking' the kernal - or any other nonsense... (I don't know about you - but I don't WANT to mess around with such stuff - I just want it to WORK with minimal effort!)

It is important to note that the vast majority of LinuxMCE users and developers live in The United States and Europe - where the compatability of electronic equipment (to Australian standards) varies.

What this means is that the Australian user needs to be very careful about what hardware they get because a lot of the hardware that works in America (EG: TV-Tuner cards and a vast majority of Home Automation equipment) will NOT work in Australia. (European equipement is less of a concern because the standards - DVB-T; PAL; 230v/50Hz; etc - are pretty much the same.)

Just remember: The primary rule when it comes to LinuxMCE is do your homework before purchasing - and you'll never be dissapointed!

Please check back regularly as this is most definitely a work in progress... Every month (at least) I'm constantly updating my setup as I add and take away different pieces of hardware that works pnp (plug and play) with Linux MCE.


Core/Hybrid - Media Director #1: (Lounge)

Operating System: Linux MCE 0710 - i386
User Interface: OpenGL with overlay (Medium)
Motherboard: Asus P5N32-E SLI Plus
Processor: Intel duo Quad 6600
Video: Inno 3D 7600GS - 512mb (PCI-E)
RAM: Corsair 2Gb (2x 1Gb sticks)
HDD: Western Digital - 250GB (EIDE)
Audio:  [P5N32-E SLI Plus (standard audio out)
NIC #1: For input, I'm using the onboard P5N32-E SLI Plus gigabit
NIC #2: For output, I'm using the onboard P5N32-E SLI Plus gigabit
Power Supply: Thermaltake TR2-550W
DVD-RW: Pioneer DVD-R/W (model doesn't matter - all are pnp)  
Bluetooth: Don't remember brand - around $10AUD. (It worked pnp.)
Infrared Reciever/Transmitter: USB-UIRT
Infrared Remote Control: Windows MCE
Monitor: Panasonic 50" (127cm) HD-TV (Dvi-HDMI)
Resolution: (1080p HDTV - 100Hz)


Media Director #2: (Master Bedroom)

Operating System: Linux MCE 0710 - i386 (NIC boot from Core/Hybrid)
User Interface: Static images, no overlay (lightweight)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-6OX
Processor: Intel P3 (1.2Ghz)
Video: Inno 3D 5200GS - 128Mb (AGP slot)  
RAM: Hynix 1Gb (2x 512Mb sticks)  
HDD: Western Digital - 80GB (EIDE) 
Monitor: Panasonic 32" Flat Screen CRT  
NIC: Intel Pro MT gigabit (10/100/1000)
Audio: Gigabyte GA-6OX onboard audio out  
DVD-RW: Pioneer DVD-R (model doesn't matter - all are pnp)  
Bluetooth: Don't remember brand - around $10AUD. (It worked pnp.)
Resolution: (800x600 - 80Hz) It seems that P3 hardware can't handle higher


N.A.S. (Network Attached Server:)

Operating System: Microsoft Windows XP-Pro  
Motherboard: Asus P4P800-E
Processor: Intel Celeron (2.4Ghz)
Video: ATI RADEON 9600 Pro - 256Mb (AGP slot)  
NIC: Intel Pro MT gigabit (10/100/1000)
RAM: Corsair 2Gb (2x 1Gb sticks)   
HDD #1: Western Digital - 80GB (EIDE)  
HDD #2: Western Digital - 400GB (EIDE) 
HDD #3: Western Digital - 250GB (EIDE)
HDD #4: Western Digital - 250GB (EIDE)
HDD #5: Western Digital - 250GB (EIDE)
Audio:  Asus P4P800-E  (standard audio out) 
DVD-RW: Pioneer DVD-R/W (model doesn't matter - all are pnp)


VOIP/PSTN Integration:

1x 'Naked' DSL 2+: Internode Home-Naked-100 (100gb @ a confirmed rate of: 120000/410 kbps)
1x LinuxMCE - Asterisk (Asterisk/Free-PBX is in the standard LinuxMCE installation)
1x VOIP Line: VOIP WA ($5 per month + 12c STD/Local + 22c p/m mobile)
1x Cisco 7960: IP Phone (running SCCP firmware)
5x Cisco 7910: IP Phone (running SCCP firmware)

Assorted additional Hardware:

1x 19-inch Rack
1x Orbiter Imate PDA2k
6x Other PC's running various other Operating Systems
1x Surecom EP-808SX NWay Desktop Switch 8 Port Megabit (10/100)  
1x Alloy GS-08DX NWay Desktop Switch 8 Port Gigabit (10/100/1000)
3x Category 5 megabit (10/100) LAN cables operating at 100MHz.
6x Category 6 gigabit (10/100/1000) LAN cables operating at 250MHz.
4x Category 6a gigabit (10/100/1000) LAN cable operating at 500 MHz. 
Other bits and pieces security related I prefer not to document for security reasons

Near Future Upgrades:

1x Upgrade from [Linux MCE 0710 - i386 to LinuxMCE 0710 64-bit
2x dual HD-TV TV Tuners (Total 4 HD-TV Channels - Still researching compatible brands) 
1x (minimum) 2U Rack Mount Case(s) (Still researching rack mount cases)
2x Cisco 7960: IP Phone's (To replace 2 existing 7910's)
Other bits and pieces security related I prefer not to document for security reasons


My personal experiences with Linux MCE:

Because the focus of this 'wiki' is LinuxMCE compatible hardware that 'just works' (plug and play) here in AUSTRALIA, it's sadly lacking in details, such as my personal experience in installing LinuxMCE and using it on a day to day basis. (Not to mention tweaking it to do things it wasn't originally intended to do.)

If reading about such day-to-day experiences interests you, I've got an off-site forum where I talk about all that at: Forum SA