Windows Heresy and VBA

[waller]

I have been trying to do as much research as I can before I purchase the VBA, and I came across this article:

http://www.malcolmsteward.co.uk/?p=2869

in which the author states he replaced the Linux OS with Windows XP, and loved it. I have to admit that the idea is appealing as I have no knowledge of Linux and that has me a bit concerned. Also, one of the main impediments so far from me purchasing the VBA has been the fact that I want to use dbpoweramp to rip my CD collection, and the author of the above article was able to install it directly onto the VBA which is very appealing to me as well.

Can anyone comment on this idea, and how I would go about making it a reality? TIA

Rick

[garym]

I have been trying to do as much research as I can before I purchase the VBA, and I came across this article:

http://www.malcolmsteward.co.uk/?p=2869

in which the author states he replaced the Linux OS with Windows XP, and loved it. I have to admit that the idea is appealing as I have no knowledge of Linux and that has me a bit concerned. Also, one of the main impediments so far from me purchasing the VBA has been the fact that I want to use dbpoweramp to rip my CD collection, and the author of the above article was able to install it directly onto the VBA which is very appealing to me as well.

Can anyone comment on this idea, and how I would go about making it a reality? TIA

Rick

Don't rely too much on this article. I recall it from when it was published and there was discussion over at the slimdevices forum about how he "didn't get it". He misunderstands several things he is talking about. In fact, all he did was get the vortexbox appliance, and install a windows operating system on the hardware. So at this point there is nothing "vortexbox" about it. Because keep in mind that the vortexbox system can be installed on almost any PC type hardware. And of course, because it is now just a windows machine, it can run dbpoweramp (a windows program). The VBA is simply a computer running a special flavor of linux that is setup to provide music streaming, video streaming, file storage, etc. It sounds like you want a windows based server that you can run dbpa on. Buy any computer, install windows on it, install dbpa on it, install LMS on it, and use "remote desktop" from any other computer on your network to talk with that computer (which you can run without a monitor or keyboard). Vortexbox or vortexbox appliance not needed or even related to what's happening at that point.

This said, as you can see from my sig, I like the VBA approach better (and I am a windows and dbpa user!). edit: and to be clear, I use dbpoweramp to rip my CDs to FLAC. My primary interest in the VBA is as a headless, low power, 24/7 server for my music (and maybe DVDs in the future).

[waller]

Gary,
Thanks very much for the reply. I guess looking at it from the additional information you supplied, I shouldn't be so concerned about the Linux OS. All I want to something to store my CD collection on, be able to play it on SB devices, and my stereo system. I'll stick with the VBA/Linux. Is there a means by which I can rip from dbpa directly to the VBA to eliminate a step? Thanks again, and I will stop all that crazy Windows talk.

[Tunes]

Gary,
Thanks very much for the reply. I guess looking at it from the additional information you supplied, I shouldn't be so concerned about the Linux OS. All I want to something to store my CD collection on, be able to play it on SB devices, and my stereo system. I'll stick with the VBA/Linux. Is there a means by which I can rip from dbpa directly to the VBA to eliminate a step? Thanks again, and I will stop all that crazy Windows talk.

Yes, you can set dBpoweramp to rip from any PC on your network to straight to the VBA. Take care when you select the VBA target directory to use the writable, "files" directory.

[andrew]

The real point of VortexBox is it's an extremely simple way to get music ripped 100% losslessly and fed out to a player. You need zero knowledge of Linux or even much computer knowledge to use it. If you are a hacker and want to play around with dbpoweramp you may not need a VortexBox Appliance. What made you want to use it over just running a windows box with dbpoweramp?

[garym]

Yes, you can set dBpoweramp to rip from any PC on your network to straight to the VBA. Take care when you select the VBA target directory to use the writable, "files" directory.

yes, and I have my VBA network shares setup as "letter" drives on my windows laptop. So I can see/transfer files very easily as if the VBA files are on a drive connected to my laptop.

[Prince Wobblebottom]

The real point of VortexBox is it's an extremely simple way to get music ripped 100% losslessly and fed out to a player. You need zero knowledge of Linux or even much computer knowledge to use it. If you are a hacker and want to play around with dbpoweramp you may not need a VortexBox Appliance. What made you want to use it over just running a windows box with dbpoweramp?

I would argue with the zero knowledge of Linux - maybe to use the VB, but the minute anything goes wrong or you want to update from anything below 2.0 you will need more than zero knowledge

[Tunes]

yes, and I have my VBA network shares setup as "letter" drives on my windows laptop. So I can see/transfer files very easily as if the VBA files are on a drive connected to my laptop.

I also do "map network drive" assignment on all the networked Windows boxes. I assign the read-only as "M:" (Music) and the writable as "W:" (Writable). When investigating, I open M:. When ripping, tag editing, or doing maintenance, I open W:

As to Andrew's points and question (What made you want to use it over just running a windows box with dbpoweramp?). He might be right. Maybe the VBA is a waste. I have found that I do need more than zero knowledge of Linux and general computer knowledge to use VortexBox effectively. I think the high rate and duration of questions here makes that clear.

Why dBpoweramp? dBpoweramp provides much more flexibility in directory structure, retains custom settings through upgrades, provides for using a CD-reading robot to rip a stack of 50 disks, fast, with minimal intervention, has one-pass error-free certification on most CDs, and has excellent tagging results. The Windows box needs only to be turned-on for media management when ripping, managing, or tagging. The VortexBox Appliance is a low-power media host that can be left on 24/7 with low environmental impact.

Like many things, mix and match works for me.

[garym]

I have found that I do need more than zero knowledge of Linux and general computer knowledge to use VortexBox effectively. I think the high rate and duration of questions here makes that clear.

Starting from zero, I've picked up a few linux things here, but mostly just how to enter a few specific command lines. I wouldn't really say this constitutes "knowledge" on my end. And the folks around here are very helpful. Regarding number of posts/questions here, I'd say it is much LESS here on this forum than on forums related to iThings, Squeezeboxes, Sonos, ReadyNAS, etc. I have had some questions, but mine have been mostly related to update issues. And there was probably no real need for me to update given that everything was working. ;-)

[waller]

Andrew,
I guess I felt more comfortable using a Windows based system as that is my only real experience. I did consider building my own system with a NAS and adding VB, but the VBA seems to be all set up, and again my experience has been with pre-built systems. So, at this point, I think going with the VBA, and ripping from my laptop using dbpa with the VBA as the destination seems my best bet. Like it or not, I probably will have to learn at least some basic Linux. And that's probably not a bad thing. Thanks again for everyone's help.

The real point of VortexBox is it's an extremely simple way to get music ripped 100% losslessly and fed out to a player. You need zero knowledge of Linux or even much computer knowledge to use it. If you are a hacker and want to play around with dbpoweramp you may not need a VortexBox Appliance. What made you want to use it over just running a windows box with dbpoweramp?