Building my first Linux Box. Need some help deciding.

[FOBSIDE]

This box is going to run MythTV and also work as a backup fileserver.

So, I've narrowed down my selection of Linux choices to Gentoo or Ubuntu. I believe both of these have a package system that allows grabbing of dependencies as well. I'm leaning toward Ubuntu, because I think it's got more GUI, which I will want to use.

I've skimmed through the manuals and both seem easy enough to install, but I have toyed with Linux in the past, and video cards are what get me. Seeing as I will not be physically on this box, because I want to set it up and just let it run, do I need a video card, or will an onboard card be acceptable? Is there any kind of chipset available that is supported for sure?

I want to RAID two drives, probably 250GB. I was thinking of IDE drives over SATA drives, because of lower prices. Is there any reason not to use IDE? When playing with Linux long ago, I remember being so confused with all the partitions for boot, swap, etc. Is this a thing of the past or will I still have to/want to do that?

Any advice is much appreciated. Thanks in advance for any help.

 

[Robor]

I'm also fairly new to Linux and from what I understand GenToo is more of an advanced Linux user's distro and Ubuntu is on the other end being more geared toward new users. I've never used GenToo but I'm using Ubuntu and it's pretty easy to work with. The problems I've had I've been able to google for solutions.

Isn't there a distro of Linux that's geared toward MythTV? A quick google of the two shows 'KnoppMyth'.

 

[scottws]

I don't think Gentoo is an advanced distro, it's just that it downloads the source code for everything and then compiles it instead of downloading pre-compiled packages.

 

[R3MF]

Ark linux would be a nice noobie-friendly/simple install that is also up to date and suitable for a Myth install.

that or ubuntu.

i use SUSE but that would be overkill for a myth box.

 

[Brazen]

Between your choices, I would say Ubuntu. But I would also suggest Fedora Core 4 because there is a VERY good tutorial on setting up MythTV on Fedora. You might also try out the KnoppMyth LiveCD (Knoppix Linux with MythTV already setup).

The Fedora MythTV site also has answers to all your hardware questions concerning MythTV.

 

[GML3G0]

Might I suggest VidaLinux?

Based on Gentoo and has the benefits of Portage, except they throw on a GUI.

 

[unmerited]

Either Nvidia or ATI will work, but it's easier IMO to get 3D acceleration (if you even need it) working with Nvidia. I have a web server with an ATI card, but I don't use 3D acceleration since I don't use X and do everything remotely. If you will be managing it locally using a GUI, 3D acceleration speeds things up.


unmerited

 

[narzy]

if you want to spend a long night (or even weekend) learning the ins and outs of linux, Gentoo is a good way to go. If you want something that is just going to work without too much headache, ubuntu is what you want. I haven't done RAID in ubuntu so I can't help you there and you may need to read up before you install so you know how to tell the installer you want that specific raid array (try to avoid doing it with software RAID if you can.)

Video card wise, nVidia has better linux support then ATI, native drivers yatta yatta. I'd go with nVidia over ATI for my linux box.

I wish beyondTV would port to linux. that would kick serious ass.