Hi,

I am working on a MythTV installer script specifically for new users and/or low end PCs and am looking for some help in testing it prior to the next release.

The installer comes in two forms:
1. a script which installs MythTV and configures related hardware and software. It is designed to work with any Debian install. I prefer Debian netinst.
2. a full distribution on CD ISO which contains the script (an older version which should be updated) and Debian Testing Netinst and all necessary MythTV packages.

So far, there have been several successful AMICUS MythTV installs and I have made a bunch of improvements based on the valuable feedback from the early adopters. I am working to improve it and need your help -- especially new users and those with low end or older PCs.

If you are interested in helping out or are just curious please visit the home page or the sourceforge.net project page.

http://amicus.sourceforge.net

http://sourceforge.net/projects/amicus

Specifically, join us on the amicus-users mailing list

https://lists.sourceforge.net/mailman/listinfo/amicus-users

Now you might be thinking, "We already have KnoppMyth, why do we need another MythTV Linux distribution?" and that is a legitimate question. I believe KnoppMyth is a fine product and I have used it for over two years so I know it is a good thing. However, it has its own way of doing things and which may not be ideal for everyone. The AMICUS project represents a new approach with a new beginning which has some advantages depending on your situation.

I certainly think AMICUS is a beneficial project and you are welcome to join up. It is a completely Free/Open Source project with totally open and public development. I know it is in a relatively immature state but it is improving rapidly. In some cases, I have been helping new users walk through their installs but generally the feedback is they have been able to successfully install MythTV with little or no additional help.

Please consider AMICUS.

Thank you!

Andrew Lynch

Good luck with your project!

_________________
cesman

When the source is open, the possibilities are endless!

hi i would like too test this one BUT
can i use a usb drive instead of floppy drive ?
if so please post back

Daffydk

Why not join the mailing list. You are seeking his help, why should he have to post back?

_________________
cesman

When the source is open, the possibilities are endless!

Specific discussions on AMICUS are really better reserved for the mailing list. Please join us there for further discussions.

I will PM you with more information.

Thank you for your interest in AMICUS.

Andrew Lynch

Hi, I just posted this on mythtv-users mailing list:

I just released AMICUS 0.03. It is a MythTV install
and configuration script specially designed for older
low resource PCs. It will work on most any PC but
will install only the components you want in your PVR.

Major new features in this release include support for
the Hauppauge PVR-150/250/350/500 tuners and a
bootable CD ISO image containing all the packages for
an install.

http://amicus.sourceforge.net/

Thank you to all the people who have provided feedback
on how to improve the script. I have incorporated
much of it but many things still need YOUR help to
identify and fix bugs.

I am helping some people walk through the install
process. If you have had problems getting MythTV to
work for you this is an opportunity to get help while
helping a Free/Open Source software project.

Thank you.

Andrew Lynch

PS, please join us on the amicus-users mailing list

https://lists.sourceforge.net/mailman/l ... icus-users

Hi,
Last night I released AMICUS version 0.04. It contains many new features and fixes. Please check the website for an update. Thank you to all the testers and volunteers who have helped.

http://amicus.sourceforge.net

Thank you!

Andrew Lynch

Interesting approach. The reason I went with Knoppmyth was the ease of installation. After looking at mythtv.orgs installation requirements, knoppmyth was a dream come true.

SIDE NOTE: I've been maintaining production Unix (various flavors) and Linux for 18 years now, so I'm not a newbie.

With that said, the primary weakness of Knoppmyth is during the upgrade process, it wants to completely destroy any existing OS and overwrite it.

SO: If I want my mythtv machine to be a general purpose unix server (mail/firewall/etc.) and I install tools or features (sendmail/imap/pop) thay will be destroyed after an upgrade. It seems to be such a prefect machine to do other stuff, like host your own website, or your own mailserver, etc.

I would prefer an RPM-based upgrade (or apt-get) which wouldn't overwrite any existing modifications I've made.

However, one could argue that a mythbox is meant to be just a mythbox, and for the vast majority of folks, it's prefect. It works for me and it's MUCH easier than installing and configuring all those packages from scratch!
________
Halfbaked

Hi,

Thanks for the interest. I have been writing AMICUS for several weeks now with the help of testers, users, and other developers. The idea is not a new one but the actual integrating script is. It primarily uses apt-get and is deb based.

AMICUS really is just a large bash script to install MythTV on generic Debian. It uses primarily Debian Netinst, apt-get, and some other things to prepare a basic Debian install. Then it builds up all the prerequisites to install/configure a minimal but fully functional MythTV application with emphasis is on keeping lightweight.

Even after the install, Debian retains its general purpose characteristics and can continue on doing whatever you would like it to do such as a desktop PC, webserver, RAID backup server, mail, etc.

I still use Knoppmyth for my family PVR as it excels for that role. AMICUS has some different design principles than Knoppmyth (I think) so I really do not like to compare them. I believe they are more complimentary than competitive. I have uses for both of them and participate in both communities regularly.

The idea of a apt-get based MythTV installer has been kicked around for quite a while but AMICUS is the first script (that I know of) to have done it. One of the goals is that once MythTV is set up properly, AMICUS is no longer needed. You can use the usual Debian package management tools can maintain the system like apt-get etc. In theory, no more upgrading would be necessary since you could just do:

$apt-get update && apt-get dist-update

and be fully up to date. Whether AMICUS is around or not at that point is moot although it would be useful for some utilities.

It has been a fun project because this issue has always been in the back of my mind since I started experimenting with MythTV in late 2003. I am a huge fan of Debian and Knoppmyth and have wanted something that kept general purpose nature of Debian and the ease of use of Knoppmyth. Sort of like the Reese's peanut butter cup... two great things that go great together.

You are welcome to join us or do a test install if you are interested. It sounds like you are experienced so if you have a test PC and would like to help out, I certainly welcome your help. Just keep good and reliable Knoppmyth on your family PVR so they don't lose their shows!

Thanks!

Andrew Lynch