[Proposal] A "Windows Media Center" for linux included in all Distros!
by hodak from LinuxQuestions.org on (#4X3N7)
As a lifelong Windows user i have decided to make the move to Linux and over the past few weeks i've educated myself on Linux trying out various distros and as of yesterday even managed to set up a VM running Windows in a linux host OS so yay me!
Proposal : A next gen Media Center included by default on all linux distro be they arch or debian based just like pre W10 era for Windows based OS. This MC would reflect on current and possible future use of tech and media based on current trends.
Why : Many Windows users get intimidated by jumping hoops, copying/pasting commands in Terminal that they have no idea about and not getting their tv tuners, webcams, etc set up right and not get broken by an update, etc in linux! There is an option during fresh install of the linux OS *not* to include the Media Center if the user has no use for it so as not to force it upon others.
What : A free/paid next gen Media Center that is Open-source software but is primarily designed to run efficiently for linux (but can also run on Windows/OSX/etc) The free version is for personal home use while paid versions are for dedicated media servers with 24/7 cloud-based instant messaging and remote access online support. The following are proposed features of the MC
#1 Any hardware would be detected in the MC as long as it is plugged in and drivers in kernel. The MC would auto download the correct firmware and prompt the user that it is ready to be set up If an internet connection was setup during fresh installation of linux OS and MC option taken up, drivers and firmware would be settled upon 1st boot up as long as hardware connected to machine. The MC has smart hardware detection and prompts the user if their hardare is only good/stable enuff to run videos up to a certain resolution. For example perhaps via CPU alone dated hardware might only be able to do up to 1080p 8 bit HEVC.
#2 Kodi addons are compatible to be installed. A community would be formed to create, test and add their own addons or Repos as time goes by.
#3 Tabs to be included: Live TV, Social Media (Video Sharing/Streaming, Twitch, Photo app, FB app), Gaming (Steam, GOG, Lutris, etc) Cloud-based instant messaging, Cloud Storage (Google Drive), Video and Music. It can work in concert with other features. For example live tv recordings could be re-encoded in a smaller file format (HEVC) then stored in Google Drive
Possible offshoots: A true long term dedicated Media/Entertainment based linux OS much like Kodibuntu and OpenElec! One could boot the machine into this MC and have the option to enter "Desktop Mode" which could be Lubuntu/Mint or Manjaro/Arch?
I understand that some of my ideas/suggestions may seem frivolous but imagine millions of users who are on the fence about getting into a Linux OS for a 24/7 machine? Most of these people i imagine might have the same concerns as i do!
Excuse my post x'mas wall of text but i hope more forum members could also share their ideas and feel free to dumb things down for me if you think some stuff may/may not work ya! Happy Holidays all :)
Proposal : A next gen Media Center included by default on all linux distro be they arch or debian based just like pre W10 era for Windows based OS. This MC would reflect on current and possible future use of tech and media based on current trends.
Why : Many Windows users get intimidated by jumping hoops, copying/pasting commands in Terminal that they have no idea about and not getting their tv tuners, webcams, etc set up right and not get broken by an update, etc in linux! There is an option during fresh install of the linux OS *not* to include the Media Center if the user has no use for it so as not to force it upon others.
What : A free/paid next gen Media Center that is Open-source software but is primarily designed to run efficiently for linux (but can also run on Windows/OSX/etc) The free version is for personal home use while paid versions are for dedicated media servers with 24/7 cloud-based instant messaging and remote access online support. The following are proposed features of the MC
#1 Any hardware would be detected in the MC as long as it is plugged in and drivers in kernel. The MC would auto download the correct firmware and prompt the user that it is ready to be set up If an internet connection was setup during fresh installation of linux OS and MC option taken up, drivers and firmware would be settled upon 1st boot up as long as hardware connected to machine. The MC has smart hardware detection and prompts the user if their hardare is only good/stable enuff to run videos up to a certain resolution. For example perhaps via CPU alone dated hardware might only be able to do up to 1080p 8 bit HEVC.
#2 Kodi addons are compatible to be installed. A community would be formed to create, test and add their own addons or Repos as time goes by.
#3 Tabs to be included: Live TV, Social Media (Video Sharing/Streaming, Twitch, Photo app, FB app), Gaming (Steam, GOG, Lutris, etc) Cloud-based instant messaging, Cloud Storage (Google Drive), Video and Music. It can work in concert with other features. For example live tv recordings could be re-encoded in a smaller file format (HEVC) then stored in Google Drive
Possible offshoots: A true long term dedicated Media/Entertainment based linux OS much like Kodibuntu and OpenElec! One could boot the machine into this MC and have the option to enter "Desktop Mode" which could be Lubuntu/Mint or Manjaro/Arch?
I understand that some of my ideas/suggestions may seem frivolous but imagine millions of users who are on the fence about getting into a Linux OS for a 24/7 machine? Most of these people i imagine might have the same concerns as i do!
Excuse my post x'mas wall of text but i hope more forum members could also share their ideas and feel free to dumb things down for me if you think some stuff may/may not work ya! Happy Holidays all :)