Maximum PC

I know that Ubuntu has the Desktop version and the Server version. I'm looking to build a dual core file server for my home (to hold my videos, music, documents, etc).

Here are my questions regarding Ubuntu Desktop and/or Server:

1.) Does either of them implement an anti-virus program (or can you buy one to install)? If so, how good is it against fighting off viruses, malware, etc?

2.) Does either edition have a firewall app included with the OS? If so, how well does it work?

3.) Can you network (using peer-to-peer networking) a Ubuntu Desktop and/or Server machine with Windows machines? How about with Macs?

4.) Does either edition of Ubuntu have any type of media streaming apps (or something similar that can let you stream video to a TV or portable device, etc--or even something similar to Media Center in Windows)?

After all, this will be my home file server / media server system, so I want to be able to do all of this stuff if possible (stream media, access files, save documents, etc). At the bare minimum, it needs to be able to serve up files and have a good anti-virus and firewall program that's current and up-to-date. Suggestions?

(I'm mainly looking to Ubuntu because it's free versus Windows, but if I can't find what I want, I guess I'll have to go with Windows.)

1. You don't need one with Linux. Period. Good luck finding one too, lol.

2. Yes it does, but if it's behind your home cable modem router, it won't be an issue.

3. Yes it will, but it's recommended to format the HD partition to NTFS.

4. Not sure, never used it for that before.

Clam and Antivir are the only ones I've ever used. They should be available in Ubuntu. AVG has a linux version also.



I don't know of a distro that doesn't come with a firewall, so yes there is a firewall.



Yes. Macs will probably connect via a CIFS connection and there's plenty of articles on how to connect via a windows machine or mac and how to share your stuff.

[quote="cbassett01"]4.) Does either edition of Ubuntu have any type of media streaming apps (or something similar that can let you stream video to a TV or portable device, etc--or even something similar to Media Center in Windows)?

There is, but I've never been impressed with any of them and don't use something like that enough. Maybe someone who does more with that will add to this. I suppose you can use VLC or MPEG4IP.

Personally, I'd probably go with the desktop version, unless there's truely something compelling you to get the server version....and no, the fact that it's branded as server is not a reason

Google mythtv
Should also be in Ubuntu distro already.
My mythtv setup has one back-end (three tuners) and three front-ends.
The system connects to my Xp system and can display movies etc from it fine.
System automatically records cable, both SD and QAM channels. We tell it what shows and it only records what hasn't been recorded before, it keeps track of the shows it has already recorded. We can access listings/setting from any computer in the house via a web link. I have mythtv player on my vista laptop and it allows it to watch live tv and recordings from the back end. It works really well, remote works with each front-end. Very good ten-foot interface. Has Weather, browser, news feed. It can rip DVD's to single vob file.
All in all it has been worth it to me to dedicate older systems to Mythtv and stream video around the house. (by the way if i stop watching a show in the living room and move to the bedroom it knows where i left off and starts it there).

Were you able to get TV listings working?
That has always been my issue.

>_< This is poor advice.
If you are using it on the desktop, try Firestarter. Makes configuring iptables easier, IMO.
How well does MAC read NTFS?
If it is a fileshare that Windows can read, Windows can read from it, and stream from the share.

The ability to read NTFS volumes was added in OSX 10.3

Should that be OSX.3? Or OS 10.3? OSX 10.3 seems repetitive. At any rate, OSX can read NTFS as of version 10.3