That just gets you the same remote-control oriented UI on a different display (same as a remote X server). Maybe there's something wrong with my brain, but I find the config UI very hard to use. The arrow keys never do what I expect, and I'm constantly changing things without intending to.

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Grant

I voted NO as I agree with most users that Cecil should only concentrate on the PVR function of the system and as he has indicated that is what he will be doing.

In saying that I don't want people to not develop the idea as I think this would be a wonderful addition. Think of it this way, I have a laptop that is not always used as a desktop machine, so if I had a KnoppMyth Desktop when I am not using it as a desktop it could be a portable frontend.

An example of having someone else apart from the Cecil and Dale working on additions is look at the plug-ins that was released by a user a while back. It was a simple script with menu choices that allowed you to install a few additional tidbits to your system. It really needed no input from the core developers, it worked and was supported by the developer of the script.

This is how I would consider this option to work, in the sense that someone would need to take ownership of the process and then the users could support themselves as is done in many areas of this forum. This way it does not detract from the work put in by Cecil and co.

I have seen this process currently in play in a server distribution that I use, they have the core developers that "develop" the server itself and then you have "contrib" developers. They develop "contributions" for the server that extend its functionality, thus improving the usage of the server without monopolising the resources of the core developers.

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Girkers

I am a no although I would like to see a frontend only small distro with the ease of use of knoppmyth.

I'd like to see only one change to KnoppMyth, and that would be a larger root partition. 4GB just isn't enough. Install WebMin and your partition is full.

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Wouldn't it be really cool if Harley-Davidson made computers too?

I think adding a bunch of desktop functionality to KnoppMyth would be a mistake on several counts.

- It would steal developer time and energy from the core PVR and media server functionality.
- It would add extra documentation and support overhead and complexity.
- It would increase the complexity and thus the fragility of the system.
- It could adversely affect the primary function of the system as a media server and PVR.

Bottom line, IMO "all purpose" gadgets generally don't work very well at any of the things they're supposed to do, and are mostly useful as an emergency substitute for the right tools for the job. This makes some sense when you're talking about a Leatherman tool or a Swiss Army knife which has the virtue of being in your pocket/pack for quick & dirty fixes when you need it, but very little or none when you're talking about a purpose built media machine.

And a Leatherman/SAK is generally:
Not a good screwdriver
not a good pair of pliers
not a good fish hook remover
not a good saw
not a good corkscrew
and....
not even a very good knife.
I too, fear the swiss-army approach.

Exactly.

KnoppMyth already comes with WebMin. It has since it's first release. I thought if someone wanted to admin thier box, WebMin would be the way they'd do it... Setup Webmin was one of the first posts I didn't under Hints & Tips.

Hi,

My installs usually default to 5gig which is pretty close to perfect size. After I add my tools & toys I end up with ~1.5 gig free and never look back. Webmin, samba and many other tools come as Cecil's default system which all are there to support mythtv in some form.

Mike

Ditto. I voted "No"

Not me.. I prefer the "Cylon mode". ("toaster" would be derogatory!) (Shameless Battlestar Galactica reference!)

In all seriousness.. (unless HD would be better at it) .. I use the PVR-350 in direct output to TV mode .. and use KM without a monitor.. in which case, the desktop mode would look poor!

// Brian

That's a bit of an understatement. Even though the "raw"
resolution is 640x480, my TV has so much overscan that the
viewable "desktop" would only be about 570x420: completely
useless as a desktop.

If you've got an HDTV with a 1920x1080 (or even 1366x768) panel
driven at its native resolution, it would at least be be
_technically_ feasable to run a desktop. [I still wouldn't do
it, since I don't want to have a keyboard or mouse.]

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Grant

Actually, an easy solution there.. I use a (logitech) wireless keyboard and mouse that I can pack-away until (rarely) needed. (even less so now.. I had used the keyboard for commercial edits.. until I worked out that the remote can do it all.) My "headless" KM box just has the wireless keyboard "dongle" (not bluetooth) hangin' in there! Time for upgrade? .. pull out the keyboard/mouse/monitor! .. (until HD solves the monitor issue!)
// Brian

K, but a larger root partition would still be appreciated. As I stated, 4GB just isn't enough these days.

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Wouldn't it be really cool if Harley-Davidson made computers too?

No. I like to tinker with everything. I have learned to discipline myself enough to not tinker too much with the knoppmyth box.....this keeps the wife happy.