A project in the planning....

[Theytonn]

First off, I would like to say my first hello to the Linux community. How is everyone doing?

Now to business...

OK, this is where I stand...
I am completely new to Linux (haven't even downloaded a distro yet), and I want to make myself a dedicated standalone jukebox....
I have been reading and looking for things concerning this venture and I guess I am ready to start the fun stuff.

Anyway, here is my wishlist for my project...

-2x40 or 4x40 line lcd screeny to see whats playing when not using....
-a bigger screen (full blown monitor or 5-12ish" lcd monitor (USB or VGA)) to browse playlists/albums/songs (make playlists too)
-eSATA port functionality(Proof of my linux noobness... Duh eSATA must work if regular SATA works) If I cant go eSATA, I can always use...
-USB &
-Network Capabilities (no streaming)
-RANDOM MODE, must have random. Hate expecting playlist song #2 to start when finished listening to playlist song #1 off the radio!!
-Replay Gain (can always apply to data aforehand, but I prefer not having to)

-I am still thinking wether I want to put an optical drive
-A remote also a possibility I am thinking about.

-Remap important keyboard keys to buttons on front of undetermind jukebox case (Navigation and volume, anything else that could be interesting)

-Displaying ONLY song album cover (main monitor) during playback would be fun. To have that as a screen saver would be cool!

OK, gone overboard on that one...

First thing I want to do is get accustommed to linux. The obvious question is:
ummm..... unaskable question I believe....

1.Should I try a full featured distro and prune the suff I dont need (adding what I am missing)?
2.Should I try a minimal install and add what I need?
If I understand correctly, option 1 is easier, but I shall probably end up doing option 2, once I get the hang of things....

In my browsing, I have seen many apps that could help me get the job done :
Cantante;Eaile;LC-Dat;MP3 Server Box;LIRC;ALSA;mpg123;MPlayer;mjs - MP3 Jukebox System;sTaL-MP3Box;Sajber Jukebox;LCDProc;XMMS;Songbird;Amarok;irMP3
I would like to know if I am missing anything that I should know about?

Well, for those still reading, thanks for bearing with me. lol All that for three questions !

If anyone has any interesting info/comments/rants or what-nots, I am listening eagerly.

Thanks,
Hello again Linux community.
Theytonn

[Freston]

Hi and welcome!

Sounds like you have yourself a nice project

You're asking quite a bit of yourself. That is good, it's the whole point of *nix to build something exact to your specifications. As you took the trouble of being very specific, I'll give you some pointers. Take them as you see fit.

1.Should I try a full featured distro and prune the suff I dont need (adding what I am missing)?
2.Should I try a minimal install and add what I need?
If I understand correctly, option 1 is easier, but I shall probably end up doing option 2, once I get the hang of things....

A fully featured distro. Opinions vary on what that is, and what that should include. That is one of the reasons there are so many distro's out there.

I think you should try one of the 'easier' distro's first. You don't want to drown yourself in man pages, books and notes just to get your system to play mp3's (which most distro's don't by default due to legal issues).

Multiple monitors, that of course can be done. But seeing how specific you are in your vision of how it should be, don't expect it to work the first try.

You are going to have to learn a new system, step by step. Many people don't realize this, but it's back to square one when you build a Linux system for the first time. That is not to say it's difficult to build a simple desktop out of a modern computer. But I doubt if there are neat GUI tools already build for every aspect of your plan. Prepare for command line editing.

Now I don't know what your taste is, but as this is your first attempt of building a dedicated system, I'd go at it like this:
Build a normal desktop. Use the KDE window manager, you'll find it's more configurable than Gnome.
Find out if the (default) Amarok player is to your liking. It has all the features you want, although other apps might be more to your liking.
Try to add a monitor. Try to write specific data to that monitor. It should be able to work the way you want it.
You want an optical drive. What's a jukebox if you can't rip CD's with it? (You're own CD's for your own home entertainment of course )
I dunno about a remote. It's just an IR input device, so it should be able to work. But I don't know for sure. You probably have to configure it manually.



For the rest:
Keep notes on what you do.
Read man pages before you use unfamiliar commands (example: man ls).
Have fun!

[Theytonn]

Thanks Freston, I wasn't expecting a response to suit my post...wow.. thanks.

I think I will be fallowing your pointers quite closely.... I prefer having goals set by someone else than goals that I set....

Originally Posted by Freston
You're asking quite a bit of yourself.

That is why...lol... Besides, what you said was quite logical. So be it.

I took note of KDE over Gnome. I have been trying to figure out if one was better than the other ("better" used loosly). Had no luck on that yet. Easier configuration might be what I am looking for...

Originally Posted by Freston
Keep notes on what you do.

Yes, indeed. In fact I just took note of the fact that I must write notes on everything! That does go without saying, but I just wasn't conscience of that fact yet

I am off to read up on different distros.

Thanks again.

Theytonn

The fun begins.