Senior citizen newbee with questions

[Grampa]

I'm probably a bit older than most of the newbees here but I'm 60 plus and straining my brain to learn new things. I've just started trying to use linux (Mint Linux) and want to try building a server for my home. I've ordered a Gigagbite mini-itx board with a 1.6 ghz. dual core processor and 4 gigabites of RAM for it from Newegg. I don't have a case yet or hard drives. I guess I should have asked before I bought this stuff; how hard is it for a newbee to set up Amahi? How do I figure what programs I will need. Would I be better off just getting the over priced program from MS?
Did I buy the right motherboard and processor?
Sorry if this is a bit confusing. I'm really very new at all of this, but trying to read about and understand it all.

Grampa

[repat]

Welcome Grampa. It sounds like you are off and running. Most of the modern hardware should work just fine. It doesn't cost anything to try Amahi, except for your time. Give it a try once you get all your hardware assembled. Amahi is designed with ease of use in mind. As far as Applications go, there are plenty that are a click away after you get installed. There is plenty of help around here and the IRC channel http://talk.amahi.org so feel free to drop by and ask anything that's on your mind.

Pat

[moredruid]

Welcome! Great to hear you've found us (this means you've taken a more than casual look around for home servers).

The starting blocks of your server look good; tailor the size of your hard drive to your needs although a 1TB drive costs next to nothing these days (around $80). For longevity I would choose a case with at least enough space for 1 additional HDD. You'll need either an external DVD drive for installation or an internal one (starting at around $25).

One thing you should not overlook is the power supply, get a decent one that's a bit overpowered. It ensures it will last a long time and you can upgrade or add hardware (like additional hard drives) in the future without overtaxing the system.

As far as the install goes, just follow the guidelines on the amahi site and you should be off in no time. Just make sure to double check your network settings in your profile, these should match the settings of your current setup (router).

Good luck, and don't be afraid to ask more!

[jerryzak]

If I may offer a few random thoughts

1. I am fairly new to Amahi. I have been using Linux "casually" for several years but I cannot say that I moved my expertise beyond that of average Windows user. Based on my exposure to various Linux distros, a noobie will experience either one of following conditions:
(a) after hardware build the OS installs great and its smooth sailing from that point on, or
(b) after hardware build the OS does not install / installs but is not stable / installs and is stable but some things just ain't right.

My experience was that if whatever Linux system you are installing goes along condition (b) and has issues with hardware, I would most likely abandon that hardware and try a different platform if such solution could be afforded financially. What I am saying, I guess, is that it is fairly hard (not to mention frustrating) for those new to Linux to troubleshoot their systems.

If your hardware is properly recognized and system installs without a hiccup, I would rate Amahi on par with anything that M$ could muster.

2. That being said... The rig I built for dedicated Amahi setup is based on chepo MSI "value line" board, with AMD Athlon X2 3.1GHz CPU that I purposefully under-clock to 1.6GHz, and 4GiB of DDR2 RAM. Storage comes via now-obsolete Adaptec 21610SA card with four (4) WD 500GB Green (5,400 RPMs) drives in RAID 5 configuration. There are no internal CD/DVD or floppy drives. Video and LAN NIC is provided courtesy of chipset. OCZ PSU is fairly "conservative" 500W (with "mod cables" so there's no extra cables dangling around). Everything is housed in Antec Sonata case.

By having it done as described that system runs really cool and quiet.

3. You have bought mini-ITX board. The typical use for those is in really compact systems. From my experience building a space saving system is more difficult than a "regular-sized" system mostly due to heat accumulation concerns, and secondarily due to pricier and more limited assortment of parts. There is however nothing that would prohibit you from utilizing more standard enclosures and power supplies for ATX sized systems.

[mraroid]

I'm probably a bit older than most of the newbees here but I'm 60 plus and straining my brain to learn new things. I've just started trying to use linux (Mint Linux) and want to try building a server for my home. I've ordered a Gigagbite mini-itx board with a 1.6 ghz. dual core processor and 4 gigabites of RAM for it from Newegg. I don't have a case yet or hard drives. I guess I should have asked before I bought this stuff; how hard is it for a newbee to set up Amahi? How do I figure what programs I will need. Would I be better off just getting the over priced program from MS?
Did I buy the right motherboard and processor?
Sorry if this is a bit confusing. I'm really very new at all of this, but trying to read about and understand it all.

Grampa

Hi Grampa...

I am kind of a linux/Amahi nob my self. But I have built a few computers in my time. I think you are on the right track. Just buy a case ( a mini tower or a full tower) and install your stuff. You can buy a lot on Amazon for a really good price. Newegg does not have rip off prices, so you did good. What you do next depends on your pocket book. Here is a list of stuff you need and some typical prices:

Power supply-- If you are building a server that will be on line 24/7 I suggest you spend the BIG MONEY and buy a PC Power and Cooling Power supply. You will pay just under $100 for it.
Here is a good one that is 500 watts, that will do the job for you:

http://www.pcpower.com/products/descrip ... index.html

If that is too rich for your blood, you can buy El Cheepo power supplies that are 500 Watts for $25 and maybe less (Fryes and other places)

Hard Drive: The price point now is for 7200 RPM drives. They are dirt cheep. You can buy a 1 TB drive for $79.00 and free postage from Amazon. However if you want speed and don't think you will need that much HD space, you can buy 10,000 RPM drives now that are 300 GBs:

http://www.amazon.com/Western-Digital-V ... 604&sr=8-1

It will cost you about $200

You will need a DVD/CD reader writer, and as someone else has said they cost about $25. Try ebay or Amazon.

Get you self a low cost wired mouse. I love the Microsoft mice. Here is a band new basic optical wired Microsoft mouse for about $12 on Amazon:

http://www.amazon.com/Microsoft-D66-000 ... 764&sr=8-5

If you end up buysing stuff from Amazon, remember if you hit say over $25 you can get free shipping (do not use the Buy It Now BUtton). Go to the your shopping cart and select free shipping

The Goodwill store is a great place to shop. Buy a keyboard at the goodwill. Look for a USB one if you can find it. Also, if you see a low cost computer, you can buy that, rip out the guts, and install your motherboard, and memory. It might come with a DVD/CD burner. You can even keep the power supply. I don't want to spend you money Gramps, but if that baby is going to stay on 24/7, find that $100 bill and buy your self a high end power suppy.

You are doing great!!! Keep going!!!

jack