Simon C

As microsh1te has now reaslisedd my XP key is *Ahem* the slownes of boot up and constant pop up messages is peeing me off so needs replacing.

This box will become a file server (about 2 TB diskspace) in the next few months being tied up to a couple of Mac's and maybe a small shuttleesque type desktop.

Now here comes the thoughts:

XP home
XP Pro
or Redhat

Anybody care to explain to rookie to Redhat where I can get a copy from and how it works.

For the time being it will be staying as a base unit running

Office
Dreamweaver
A html gallery creation software
Photoshop

So which would be my best option.

druddle

Ubuntu - another very good Linux distro thats free. The web site and forums are great. You can also use a program called Crossover Office so that you can run Windows apps (like IE if you have to), Dreamweaver, iTunes, etc....

Dave

ScoobyDoo555

or just download one of the plentiful supplies of WGA removal software, and turn off auto update.........

Gets rid of the nagware.

I've done this, and am jsut about to rebuild my PC with the Beta version of Vista. Been running it at work for a while and it's fine, so I'm going to jump.

If it turns out not so hot, I'll bin it and just use my Mac

Dan

mattbeef

Go with Ubuntu or RedHat/Fedora Core

if you must use the Micro****e stuff the google the problem one reg edit later the problem was solved

David_Wallis

If its a server then you shouldnt use XP home or XP pro.. if you want to use microsoft, you need to get a volume licence key or a select agreement licence key

Personally Id use 2003 server, but then Im a ms guy.

David

jowl

If it's just a home server - for media files etc you could use XP Pro for it and get away with it. Win2k etc would be overkill, wouldn't it.

I suspect some form of Linux would be wonderful for the job but I have very very little Linux experience.

Simon C

Its a storage device for pics. I've killed 80gb so far this year!!!!

I have Win2k, infact I have every windows since 3.1!!!

I asked about Linux cos I have no experiance of it either.


David_Wallis, why would I need a volume key? its being installed on 1 pc/server.

jowl

When I said Win2k I meant the server edition but like I say, overkill if it's really just for pics.

There's plenty of WinXP software that will act as a media server too

Simon C

It really is just for pics. My camera produces 57mb tiff files!!! and thats per pic, not including the 15mb Raw, or the resulting jpeg.

At teh mo I just shove folders with the pics in from the mac to the PC, which is essance all I'll be doing on the future machine.

mattbeef

why shoot in tiffs? RAWs are so much better and smaller, plus it might help your storeage needs

Simon C

Matt, I do shoot in Raw!! Then convert to tiff for printers and jpeg for web.

D16GER

You can simply uninstall WGA. In fact, Microsoft even allow it now.....

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/921914

djuk

But surely the message is appearing for a reason so he should take steps to sort out the licensing issue?

David

David_Wallis

A volume licence key requires no activation.

But then Im not condoning using pirated software... actually I am

mattbeef

It all makes sence now

TopBanana

You don't even need a computer, use something like a NetSlug (NSLU2)

daijones

Sounds like your main concern will be which wintel OS will work best as a server with OSX. Haven't tried it myself, but might be worth checking out Apple's discussion boards to see if anyone's posted their experiences.

stevencotton

Linux + samba and your job is done pretty much out of the box.