Best OS for SlimServer?

[John Eckman]

OK, trying to avoid a windows/linux flamewar here. I use both (and Mac
OS X, for what it's worth) in different circumstances quite happily.

But, I'm setting up a new box (Shuttle form factor, P4) for SlimServer
only. Just SlimServer, nothing else. (Well, ok, backup).

I'd like to have it headless, and manage remotely (likely from Windows XP).

So, should it be linux, or Windows XP? (Mac OS is out as the hardware's
already in place).

Which runs SlimServer more efficiently?

Are there plugins or functions not available across platforms? I haven't
followed very closely the whole AlienBBC thread, but I might want to
listen to Real or other type radio streams. (KCRW, for example).

I have a ~260GB library, which is currently only MP3s, and the machine
has 1GB of RAM.

[Jack Coates]

John Eckman wrote:
> OK, trying to avoid a windows/linux flamewar here. I use both (and Mac
> OS X, for what it's worth) in different circumstances quite happily.
>
> But, I'm setting up a new box (Shuttle form factor, P4) for SlimServer
> only. Just SlimServer, nothing else. (Well, ok, backup).
>

these are nice boxes.

> I'd like to have it headless, and manage remotely (likely from Windows XP).
>

SSH, and http://www.monkeynoodle.org/comp/remote-x-cygwin-howto

> So, should it be linux, or Windows XP? (Mac OS is out as the hardware's
> already in place).
>
> Which runs SlimServer more efficiently?
>

Arguably Linux, though a P4 is enough horsepower to soak up the
difference. Win32 Perl isn't that much slower.

> Are there plugins or functions not available across platforms? I haven't
> followed very closely the whole AlienBBC thread, but I might want to
> listen to Real or other type radio streams. (KCRW, for example).
>

AlienBBC is based on Linux and ported to other OS's; this has been the
pattern with many (though not all) plugins.

> I have a ~260GB library, which is currently only MP3s, and the machine
> has 1GB of RAM.
>

That's a lot. I expect you'll see performance issues with the current
stable tree (5.4.0), you might want to think about the 6.0 nightlies.

--
Jack at Monkeynoodle dot Org: It's a Scientific Venture...
Riding the Emergency Third Rail Power Trip since 1996!