New Here Need Direction

PositiveP

Im new to the whole Linux thing, and I'm looking for as much information as my sponge can collect. I'm building a Shuttle XPC for Mobile Entertainment. And I think Linux is the way to go, but I don't know what it really is other than a windows alternative(sorry), where to start reading. So any direction would be much appreciated, Thanks in advance!

PositiveP

By Mobile Entertainment I mean, its going to installed in my van and used for entertaining my kids on long trips. It has a bluray player and will be loaded with music for them and used for some light online gaming, and the occasional web surfing. Im updating the whole thing with USB3.0 and Dual sATA drives. The original idea was to use Windows 7, but I've seen so many problems with Windows, plus it takes up so much drive space. My phone uses a version of Linux so I figured I'd try it out. I've only heard little about it, don't really know what it is really and looking for a dummies guide to Linux.

mfillpot

I have read that blueray support is included now in mplayer, however I have not tested that.

Gaming: keep in mind that windows games do not play natively on Linux based systems, some can be played through an emulator like wine but the quality is questionable. You can do Linux native games without issues, but I recommend hooking up a game console instead for gaming.

Websurfing will be easy enough.

I would recommend looking into SSD sata drives for the mobile media center, you do not want moving parts in a moving vehicle, this will reduce the wear and tear on the hard disks.

In all I recommend checking our xbmc (http://xbmc.org/) for the Linux based distro because of the easy to use menu and great capabilities.

PositiveP

Ubuntu Netbook Edition? Not support BluRay? Is it a good place to start?

saqman2060

You can use the netbook edition or the desktop edition on your laptop. If you want to play videos and music, install VLC, works very well. Not sure if ubuntu or VLC supports BLueray if that is what you want to play. Ubuntu is, in my mind the easiest to use. There is a huge support community and lot of books on it. Also check out, www.linux.org that has a great new user to linux guide that gets you started on your new system. Plus, if you really want to learn the inner workings of linux check out , http://www.slackbook.org/, it will telll you what linux really works.

Actually, download zorin or linux mint. Both are based on ubuntu. Zorin is my favorite because it has all the programs and codes to play media files and is capable of running windows based programs. The system is fast as well. http://distrowatch.com/table.php?distribution=zorin