Should I dump my linux machine?

[ryanbb07]

First let me start by saying that this is my first post, but I have been a long time reader, and a huge head like most of you. I will be receiving my iPad 3G Friday (hopefully before work at 3)

I have a custom desktop that I use for my UPnP server with my PS3. I'm running ubuntu 9.10 and I love it. I have been using the virtual box with XP for syncing and updating my iPhone. Here is where my problem starts. I want to be able to stream movies and music to my ipad in the same way I can with my PS3. The only apps that I have read about on here are all Mac and windows based server clients only (IE: air sharing) or the only UPnP app I could find was PlugPlayer and because my video collection is all in .AVI the app sees the server, and connects, but the iPhone (testing it out) doesnt support the .avi format making the app useless for my intentions.

On one hand I love my setup, but on the other hand I really want the freedom to use my ipad the way that I want to. I have thought about waiting for the JB and figuring something out from there, but after seeing a few bad JB's I really don't want to risk it on my ipad.

So what do I do? Stay true to the open source that I love and just figure out difficult work a rounds that only work sometimes and never really give you all the greatness that some of the Mac based apps do? Or do I ditch the OS, and install windows 7?

 

[antiprotest]

Yes. Throw it out.

 

[OneMike]

I wouldn't jump the gun. iPad hasn't been out long enough. I'm sure there will be more apps for what you want to do.

As much as I love Mac and use for my primary computing, my linux boxes are not going anyway.

 

[MikePA]

Asking whether you should dump a linux box is like asking whether you should dump a tumor or a hemorrhoid.

 

[MikeCase]

For streaming video, you could try out Air Video. There is a windows server option that you could run in your VM. Also, the dev has a Linux version in alpha testing. I couldn't get it working on my 9.10 HTPC but when it comes to CLI stuff, I'm as smart as a rock.

I'd try out Air Video first before completely dumping your loved setup.

Air Video is a universal binary and is $3

 

[wombat888]

Well, it sounds like you find the linux box useful. So I dunno. A linux box and an iPad seem to have very little conceptual relationship, to me. I don't see why one would be duplicative of the other in any way.

I generally think there are three reasons to have a personal linux box. 1 - you want to learn linux to help you in your career. 2 - you want to run Web, FTP and mail servers from home. 3 - you want to make your life painful and difficult.

 

[r0k]

It certainly is the "path of least resistance" to go "all Apple" but I suggest you keep your Linux box around as a file server. Let's say you switch to a Mac so it plays nicer with your iPad. You can ssh to it and use it from your Mac anyway. Another option is to run windows in a virtualbox on your Linux box just for the care and feeding of your iPad via iTunes. But I don't see the need to get rid of the Linux box altogether. I have a mostly Apple with some Linux household. I think OS X plays nicely with Linux. Too bad iPad is still stuck in "giant iPod Touch" mode but this too will pass and it will grow up into the autonomous computer it was meant to be, though I doubt it will ever see full blown OS X, I expect OS 4 to do away with the "you gotta sync with iTunes just to turn this thing on and start using it" situation. I also expect a MobileMe option to back up stuff to MobileMe. What else is Apple gonna do with that giant server farm down south if not sell us OTA backup of iPads?