Must Have Software

http://linuxmint.com/

It's a Linux distro that'll work out of the box. Most linux distros don't include any non-open source software like flash, drivers and video codecs, so you're limited in what you can do. Personally I don't give a shit if something is open source or not, as long as it's free. This distro comes with all that good stuff already in it.

Installed smoothly on my old PC that I want to use for downloading/previewing. Only software I installed extra was sabnzb+ which was easy to do with the software manager. Sharing folders works with my both my WinXP and Win7 boxes.

I'm about a 2/10 as far as Linux knowledge goes so I really like this, because it just works.

Homsar_sl said:

Someone posted software for accessing your families computers remotely but it got deleted, anyone remember what program it was ?

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I'm not sure if teamviewer is what you were looking for or not.

The program I use isLogmein. You simply install it on the computer of interest with your account and then you can access it from any computer/tablet/phone that has access to a web browser or app. It's fantastic:https://secure.logmein.com/

Another program I use that I consider a 'must have' isDropbox(Cloud Storage):https://www.dropbox.com/

A nifty trick I found when you combine the two: If you travel a lot and need something off of your home computer. Simply use Logmein to login to your home computer and put the file in Dropbox. If you have Dropbox on your device the file will automatically sync to your other device.

brekk_sl said:

Virtual Clone Drive - Virtual disk drives for mounting .iso's and .bin's

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I used deamon tools for this for years, butso farWindows 8 has mounted everything fine using the built-in tool.

Notepad++for text file viewing/editing
XBMCfor audio/video

unknown_sl said:

Notepad++for text file viewing/editing
XBMCfor audio/video

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I should add a Dev/programming section but im not sure what to list besides Notepad++. Only thing I program is routers and switches =/

Recently bought a second TV for the bedroom, and wanted to figure out some way to connect it to my pre-existing networked media, while buying as little additional materials as possible. Didn't really want to hook it up to my desktop (would've needed a 20ft HDMI or DVI cable), and definitely didn't want to build a whole new HTPC for it just yet... Ended up hooking my 360 to the TV and have been streaming/transcoding to it via the network. I haven't attempted to push my PC's processing power yet by trying to transcode HD video, but at standard (which is just fine for normal TV), it runs without a hitch. Essentially, your PC can stream any media to most connectable devices (360, tablet, phone) and handles the entire load.

http://tversity.com/

Which, I guess, is exactly the same as the universal media server already listed. Oh well.

Smocca_sl said:

http://calibre-ebook.com/

Let's you edit, convert, and sync ebooks with a tablet or reader.

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Have you used it recently? I ask only because I tried it when I got the iPad2 almost 2 years ago, and it was really snarky and crashy. If you've used it, I would really appreciate some first hand feedback.


And, are there good recommendations for cataloging and sorting mass quantities of photos at once?

Archangel_sl said:

Have you used it recently? I ask only because I tried it when I got the iPad2 almost 2 years ago, and it was really snarky and crashy. If you've used it, I would really appreciate some first hand feedback.

And, are there good recommendations for cataloging and sorting mass quantities of photos at once?

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Yea I use Calibre almost every day. I don't think I've ever had it crash or had any significant problems.

I don't do much with Photos but I usually recommend Picassa to my family when they ask. Seems to work well enough for them.

I've been usingPlex Media Serverrunning on headlessLinux Mintserver that I access usingNX Client for Windows. It is also home toSabnzb,CouchPotato, andSickbeard. I can't say enough good stuff about this setup. It's non-trivial to get running, but it requires almost no maintenance once you're off the ground. I have Plex clients on all my mobile devices and the server will transcode all my video on the fly and stream anywhere, any time I have an internet connection. I watched a couple of movies off my home sever when I was in South America last month and the experience was flawless. Super awesome for people who want media in places other than their living rooms.

Also, decisive seconds on bothHandbrakeandCalibre. I use them constantly.

Hydrogen is a free cross-platform drum machine software, similar to FLStudio.
http://www.hydrogen-music.org/hcms/node/21