What do you guys thinkn of the HP Mediasmart home server?

Arno Wagner <me DeleteThis @privacy.net> wrote in
news:68odjgF2u9opiU1@mid.individual.net:

> Seems reasonable. Usual caveat: If you are going to to
> operate a server, you should be competent enough to do
> your own storage server with Linux, which will be cheaper
> and better.
>
> Arno
>

Yea, I was thinking of building my own and have even downloaded free server
software but I like the look and idea of this small box with Windows Home
Server software. I can go and buy it today and be up and running half an
hour later. If I build my own I have to source all the parts and go learn
how to set it all up. I can do that but I also like convenience and am
willing to pay for it if it is good. Why would Linux server software be
better for a home server? I had planned to only make the files available to
the internal network and not over the internet. The Microsft/HP software
also comes with a couple of progs for automated backup too.
 >> Stay informed about: What do you guys thinkn of the HP Mediasmart home server? 

Previously Gumby <gumby RemoveThis @is.cool> wrote:
> Arno Wagner <me RemoveThis @privacy.net> wrote in
> news:68odjgF2u9opiU1@mid.individual.net:

>> Seems reasonable. Usual caveat: If you are going to to
>> operate a server, you should be competent enough to do
>> your own storage server with Linux, which will be cheaper
>> and better.
>>
>> Arno
>>

> Yea, I was thinking of building my own and have even downloaded free server
> software but I like the look and idea of this small box with Windows Home
> Server software. I can go and buy it today and be up and running half an
> hour later. If I build my own I have to source all the parts and go learn
> how to set it all up. I can do that but I also like convenience and am
> willing to pay for it if it is good. Why would Linux server software be
> better for a home server? I had planned to only make the files available to
> the internal network and not over the internet. The Microsft/HP software
> also comes with a couple of progs for automated backup too.

You do know that Windows Home Server is a pice of trash, that,
e.g., generates un-restorable backups and has other serious
problems?

Arno
 >> Stay informed about: What do you guys thinkn of the HP Mediasmart home server? 

Arno Wagner <me DeleteThis @privacy.net> wrote in
news:68oi4rF2tq100U1@mid.individual.net:

> You do know that Windows Home Server is a pice of trash, that,
> e.g., generates un-restorable backups and has other serious
> problems?
>
> Arno
>

Why would I know that if I have never used it? The review I pointed to says
HP have enhanced the software and said it is not bad at all. Anyway, went
and checked it out in the store and decided not to buy it for now as I
already have 5 USB external HDD's for backup so don't really need it. I
have a 1TB external HDD for just my mp3's.
 >> Stay informed about: What do you guys thinkn of the HP Mediasmart home server? 

"Eric Gisin" <gisin.DeleteThis@uniserve.com> wrote in
news:Z-CdnVF7E7WVp7rVnZ2dnUVZ_h7inZ2d@posted.uniservecommunications:

> Ignore Arnie, the Penguin Cult has turning him into a raving loon.
>

I think you are probably right. I've read numerous reviews of the HP
MediaSmart server box and they have been all quite positive.
 >> Stay informed about: What do you guys thinkn of the HP Mediasmart home server? 

Previously Gumby <gumby RemoveThis @is.cool> wrote:
> Arno Wagner <me RemoveThis @privacy.net> wrote in
> news:68oi4rF2tq100U1@mid.individual.net:

>> You do know that Windows Home Server is a pice of trash, that,
>> e.g., generates un-restorable backups and has other serious
>> problems?
>>
>> Arno
>>

> Why would I know that if I have never used it? The review I pointed
> to says HP have enhanced the software and said it is not bad at
> all. Anyway, went and checked it out in the store and decided not to
> buy it for now as I already have 5 USB external HDD's for backup so
> don't really need it. I have a 1TB external HDD for just my
> mp3's.

1TB mp3's? Lets see, at 320kbit/sec, that is about 290 days (and
nights) of music. Should be enopugh for a while

Arno
 >> Stay informed about: What do you guys thinkn of the HP Mediasmart home server? 

Arno Wagner <me RemoveThis @privacy.net> wrote in news:68pgrkF2totu8U1
@mid.individual.net:

> 1TB mp3's? Lets see, at 320kbit/sec, that is about 290 days (and
> nights) of music. Should be enopugh for a while
>
> Arno

I rip at 256kb/s but I only have about 150GB of mp3's so far. And of course
a 1TB HDD is actually only about 920GB when formatted and you must leave
about 20% free if you ever want to be able to defrag it. Still, it is going
to take me quite a while to fill it up with mp3s.
 >> Stay informed about: What do you guys thinkn of the HP Mediasmart home server? 

Previously Gumby <gumby DeleteThis @is.cool> wrote:
> "Eric Gisin" <gisin DeleteThis @uniserve.com> wrote in
> news:Z-CdnVF7E7WVp7rVnZ2dnUVZ_h7inZ2d@posted.uniservecommunications:

>> Ignore Arnie, the Penguin Cult has turning him into a raving loon.
>>

> I think you are probably right. I've read numerous reviews of the HP
> MediaSmart server box and they have been all quite positive.

FYI: Eric Gisin is one of the resident trolls.

As to the subject matter, I maintain that you cannot reliably
operate such a server, unless you could also have built, installed
and configured it yourself. And when you can do that, MS hime
server is a poor choice. That was not a comment on the hardware.
In addition, many reviewers are not available of non-MS alternatives
and have a rather limited understanding of hwat such a server
could do in terms of reliability and versatility, a state
of affairs that MS tries keep intact.

Arno
 >> Stay informed about: What do you guys thinkn of the HP Mediasmart home server? 

Gumby wrote:
> Arno Wagner <me DeleteThis @privacy.net> wrote in news:68pgrkF2totu8U1
> @mid.individual.net:
>
>
>>1TB mp3's? Lets see, at 320kbit/sec, that is about 290 days (and
>>nights) of music. Should be enopugh for a while
>>
>>Arno
>
>
> I rip at 256kb/s but I only have about 150GB of mp3's so far. And of course
> a 1TB HDD is actually only about 920GB when formatted and you must leave
> about 20% free if you ever want to be able to defrag it. Still, it is going
> to take me quite a while to fill it up with mp3s.
>
You wouldn't have to defrag if you were Linux based.

--
The e-mail address in our reply-to line is reversed in an attempt to
minimize spam. Our true address is of the form che... DeleteThis @prodigy.net.
 >> Stay informed about: What do you guys thinkn of the HP Mediasmart home server? 

Keywords:
In article <4DCVj.260599$pM4.120287@pd7urf1no>, Gumby <gumby RemoveThis @is.cool> wrote:
>I already have 5 external HDD's but was thinking of getting the HP
>Mediasmart so I can cetralize all my backup files etc. for my three PC's.
>Is it worth the $599.99 CAD price for the version that comes with one 500GB
>HDD? Here's a review of it.
>
>http://www.winsupersite.com/reviews/whs_hp.asp

I considered it, and decided against it. The 1st drive is difficult to
remove, and if it dies (even if you have a second mirror drive), you are
screwed because the primary drive is not completely mirrored. I think it
has configuration data on it that is unique to that drive. I queried HP
about what happens when Drive 1 fails, and you can't just pop in a new
one and expect it to work.

I just bought a READYNAS Duo. Both drives are in removeable trays, and
the mirroring will protect you if EITHER drive fails. They can even be
hot swapped. The thermally controlled fan is very quiet, the software
seems to be solid, and it's cheaper. They have an active support forum,
and seem to be very responsive.

I can't speak for the media server stuff on it, I haven't had time to set
that up. It certainly seems flexible. It also avoids putting more money
in Microsoft's pocket.

Doug White
 >> Stay informed about: What do you guys thinkn of the HP Mediasmart home server? 

Michael Cecil wrote:

> On Mon, 12 May 2008 20:53:54 -0500, CJT <abujlehc.RemoveThis@prodigy.net> wrote:
>
>
>>Gumby wrote:
>>
>>>Arno Wagner <me.RemoveThis@privacy.net> wrote in news:68pgrkF2totu8U1
>>>@mid.individual.net:
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>>1TB mp3's? Lets see, at 320kbit/sec, that is about 290 days (and
>>>>nights) of music. Should be enopugh for a while
>>>>
>>>>Arno
>>>
>>>
>>>I rip at 256kb/s but I only have about 150GB of mp3's so far. And of course
>>>a 1TB HDD is actually only about 920GB when formatted and you must leave
>>>about 20% free if you ever want to be able to defrag it. Still, it is going
>>>to take me quite a while to fill it up with mp3s.
>>>
>>
>>You wouldn't be able to defrag if you were Linux based.
>
>
> Fixed that for you. You're welcome.

You "fixed" it wrong, though. You _can_ defrag, but it isn't necessary.

--
The e-mail address in our reply-to line is reversed in an attempt to
minimize spam. Our true address is of the form che....RemoveThis@prodigy.net.
 >> Stay informed about: What do you guys thinkn of the HP Mediasmart home server? 

Gumby <gumby RemoveThis @is.cool> wrote
> Arno Wagner <me RemoveThis @privacy.net> wrote

>> 1TB mp3's? Lets see, at 320kbit/sec, that is about 290 days
>> (and nights) of music. Should be enopugh for a while

> I rip at 256kb/s but I only have about 150GB of mp3's so far. And of
> course a 1TB HDD is actually only about 920GB when formatted and
> you must leave about 20% free if you ever want to be able to defrag it.
> Still, it is going to take me quite a while to fill it up with mp3s.

And there is no point in worrying about fragmention with mp3s anyway.
 >> Stay informed about: What do you guys thinkn of the HP Mediasmart home server? 

Gumby wrote:

>Arno Wagner <me.TakeThisOut@privacy.net> wrote in
>news:68oi4rF2tq100U1@mid.individual.net:
>
>> You do know that Windows Home Server is a pice of trash, that,
>> e.g., generates un-restorable backups and has other serious
>> problems?
>
>Why would I know that if I have never used it?

The same way someone might know that a Ferrari Enzo is fast, despite
never having used one. Reading things. Hearing things.
 >> Stay informed about: What do you guys thinkn of the HP Mediasmart home server? 

Michael Cecil wrote:

>>You "fixed" it wrong, though. You _can_ defrag, but it isn't necessary.
>
>Hehe, I remember when they said that about NTFS back before they figured
>out how to do it for that file system. Maybe one day when Linux grows up
>it will be popular enough for some company to figure out how to defrag its
>file systems. Don't worry. You can dream.

Idiot.
 >> Stay informed about: What do you guys thinkn of the HP Mediasmart home server?