Linux version coming soon?

[ptaylor]

Has there been any word on when we can expect the Linux version?

I know it's supposed to be version 3.0... Which most people would take to mean a whole laundry list of new features, a new interface, etc...

As far as I am concerned, it doesn't have to look any different than the current release of Sage for Windows, nor does it need any new features...

I am just so ready to get rid of Windows, but don't want to go without Sage, if I can avoid it.

Paul

[krutaw]

Originally Posted by ptaylor

Has there been any word on when we can expect the Linux version?

I know it's supposed to be version 3.0... Which most people would take to mean a whole laundry list of new features, a new interface, etc...

As far as I am concerned, it doesn't have to look any different than the current release of Sage for Windows, nor does it need any new features...

I am just so ready to get rid of Windows, but don't want to go without Sage, if I can avoid it.

Paul

I thought the linux version of the client was going to be made available only via a hardware device that is being sold as a "SageTV device" through OEM's?

[ptaylor]

It would be smart of them to release a version for enthusiasts, like ourselves in addition to the version for OEMs.

If they won't release it to us, then perhaps it's time for me to look seriously at the linux-based competition...

Paul

[korben_dallas]

It's all still up in the air. There was a statement by Frey that perhaps an unsupported Linux distribution would be released, but no word on that yet or even if.

[ptaylor]

Well, I'll hold out hope for a while more then... I've got too many other things to worry about right now to try to dig into a new application...

The nice thing about Sage would be the interopability between a Linux server and a Windows client... (Assuming that would work - I don't see why they wouldn't allow that to work)

Paul

[stanger89]

I believe they demo'd that at CES, a Linux "server" and a number of clients, including a windows PC and an MVP.

[Ozymandias]

I have to say, I really do hope that Sage does create a Linux version. I have a hard time believing that it can't be done since the majority of the code is done in Java which is already crossplatform. All that would really be needed would be an executable and of course some code alteration.

We are an OEM that has developed options for HTPCs for clients and to be honest, I want to lower the cost to be able to compete with the lame settop boxes that don't have half the abilities of an HTPC. To do that I need to drop Windows and it's plethora of problems but I would like to have the crossplatform ability with Sage particularly for those people who want the SageTV client on a seperate computer.

THIS would be the one thing I think could really make SageTV stand above the rest even more than it already does.

[stanger89]

They've already confirmed that 3.0 will include a linux version (which they demo'd at CES). The question is who the linux version will be available to. From what's been posted, it sounds like it will be for OEMs (like you) and for people who buy a pre-built box.

The question is if/when/how it will be available for the enthousiasts.

[dbfresh23]

This may sound a bit silly, but I'd much rather have access to a linux client rather then full blown linux sagetv. Building a diskless client would become a reality at that point.

[korben_dallas]

Originally Posted by dbfresh23

This may sound a bit silly, but I'd much rather have access to a linux client rather then full blown linux sagetv.

Really? My excitement was from the server side, since Linux makes a darn stable file server.

But I'd want the client to be Windows.. have the friendly UI and powerful device drivers.

[dbfresh23]

Originally Posted by korben_dallas

But I'd want the client to be Windows.. have the friendly UI and powerful device drivers.

Actually that's the exact reason i wouldn't mind the server being windows. Better drivers for all of those pvr cards out there, not to mention usb and firewire stuff.

[holozaen]

I would be really happy if there was a linux version (server)...sagetv is the only software that urges me to have a windows-machine running 24/7 at the moment...everything from http- to file-server works far more secure and stable on a linux-server.

[PGPfan]

The best (in my opinion) is if Microsoft would make the XP "embedded" platform available to the public for a resonable price. It would easily surpass the Linux options (server or client) for both stability and driver support and UI. I have a licensed version that I use, but for the general public it is about $1000 for the dev kit, and about $100 per user license (think per OS build). It IS the perfect way to do Sage (and anything HTPC) however.

-PGPfan

[Surtr]

So, can you sell me a license for $100?

[Endymion]

Originally Posted by PGPfan

The best (in my opinion) is if Microsoft would make the XP "embedded" platform available to the public for a resonable price.

-PGPfan

Do you actually use XP embedded for any of your Sage server(s) or client(s)? I would be very interested to know if you have any tips on the best way to go about it. I have a license for XP embedded and I'm thinking about using that for my HTPC. All I run on it are Sage, Girder, and Zoomplayer. What are the advantages of running XPe vs. XP?

[PGPfan]

Originally Posted by Surtr

So, can you sell me a license for $100?

Maybe, but I'd need alot more info regarding your system, software, etc. If I were you, I'd download the trial version from MS. Then you could build a 120-day version of XPe yourself. Once you got it the way you like, then I might be able to take the build you made, convert it to a 'legitimate' licensed version, and hook you up that way. Not making any promises, but we could "probably" get something like this worked out.

-PGPfan

[PGPfan]

Originally Posted by Endymion

Do you actually use XP embedded for any of your Sage server(s) or client(s)? I would be very interested to know if you have any tips on the best way to go about it. I have a license for XP embedded and I'm thinking about using that for my HTPC. All I run on it are Sage, Girder, and Zoomplayer. What are the advantages of running XPe vs. XP?

Wow, lot of questions! Yes, I use XPe for all of my HTPC stuff. 1 server, 1 client. As for tips, all I can say is there are 2 books (maybe 3 now) that have been written on XPe. I've found it invaluable to have at least one as a guide to using it. You have to convert applications in to "components" that you import into XPe, so you'd have to build one for Girder, Sage, and ZP for best performance. It 'can' run regular software just like XP, since it IS XP but it is at it's best if you customize the apps for the environment.

As for advantages, there are MANY! Linux is viewed to be the end all, be all of OS's for STB type devices. The only reason this is true (other than there are currently no XPe builds that work on anything other than x86 based machines) is that you ONLY build in support for the functionality you want. Less OS means faster boot times, more stability, smaller target for "hackers", etc. Take all these seemingly Linux advantages and add great driver support, supperior multi-media capability, better UI, etc. THIS is what you get when you can pick and choose the pieces of XP you want to include in your build of Windows XPe. As an example, you can expect the full Sage experience in a box that has a boot time start to finish of 4 seconds! Much better system response, etc. Really, the benefits are too numerous to count.

-PGPfan

[Surtr]

Cool, thanks for the info PGPfan. If I get a good chunk of time I'll have to mess around with it. Sounds somewhat painful to set up, but I definitely want to give it a shot.

[PGPfan]

Surtr,

It's not really 'painful', you just need to view it in a different way. Part of what makes Windows XP so easy (and bloated, and easily hackable, etc.(according to MS haters )) is that is has everything but the kitchen sink IN the OS already. It uses what is probably the best (from a technical standpoint) installer ever created for a PC to analyze, organize, setup and install whatever is necessary for whatever computer you put it in.

With XPe, YOU essentially become that 'installer'. YOU control what drivers are included, YOU control what software modules are loaded, etc. You can "after the fact" install pretty much any software just like you can with XP now. My experience has been that best performance comes when you take the time to select the software you wish to run, and the re-package that software into a 'component' that is pre-installed directly into XPe.

I hope this makes sense!

-PGPfan

[Surtr]

Sure does. Thanks!

On another note, it just occured to me that when I built my new HTPC, I never installed divx; yet it plays my divx movies just fine. Does Sage ship with embedded divx codec?

BTW PGPFan - your avatar is awesome. Cracks me up every time I see it.