In the process of preparing to launch a home server, I ran into Buridan’s ass problem.
What I want from the server:
- download torrents
- play video
- stream internet radio
- serve files externally via FTP
- store photos
For these purposes, what is better: install an XBMC build and tweak it to meet the router’s needs, or install a specialized distribution and bolt XBMC onto it?
Today I tried, as part of the second approach, a thing called Zentyal, but I took a dislike to it rather quickly.
The system installed, a window opened in the browser offering to install selected packages. I installed them, but I don’t see their settings anywhere. Whether they installed incorrectly, or whether you need to buy a subscription (and this wonder does have a paid subscription) — I couldn’t figure it out and I’m not going to bother. I’ll try a couple more things like IPcop or similar, but it looks like I’ll have to take a bare Ubuntu and hack away at it.