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

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

Previously Gumby <gumby@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

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

Arno Wagner <me@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.

Previously Gumby <gumby@is.cool> wrote:
> Arno Wagner <me@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

"Gumby" <gumby@is.cool> wrote in message news:TwDVj.130404$rd2.6554@pd7urf3no...
> Arno ****UP <me@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.
>>
Cheaper, but not better. Ever seen a balance Windows vs Linux review?
It will take weeks to master Lunix at the same level you know Windows.
>
> 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.

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

Arno Wagner <me@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.

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

> 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.

Previously Gumby <gumby@is.cool> wrote:
> Arno Wagner <me@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

Arno Wagner <me@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.

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

>> 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