My All in One Multimedia Server

All in One Multimedia Server

CCTV, Network Storage, Torrent, UPnP Server in One

I'm doing another experiments for future use, it may be useful in some point in time probably for business planning, products and system, so I like experimenting stuff to see how it goes. So basically I have this fan-less mini-PC dual-core Atom and turning it into an All in One multimedia server so I don't need to purchase separate standalone products in the market. The server must be usable using local network in order for other PC to connect and use its features.

I chose an Atom because its power efficient and the server will run 24/7 so if you mind the electric bill then this is the way to go and because its the only available system as its too slow for gaming, it probably rated at 30Watts, being fanless is going to help in the long run. I also used a very old TV Tuner that is compatible with a Linux system so I can input an A/V camera for CCTV purposes.

Of course it will run on Linux for it to be lightweight no non-sense, solid, stable, admin secured operating system, precisely I used Ubuntu, the old 10.04 LTS which was released since 2009, its the same version I used for my father's PC. Its enough for a less tech savvy like me but not too much bells and whistles that will eat up system resources. Here are the software I used in order to make the server;

Torrent (Transmission)

Transmission comes pre-installed with Ubuntu 10.04 as its default Torrent download client. Just enable the Web interface in the settings and you can access it on a local network, anyone on the network can download and check torrent downloads.

Network Storage (Samba)

Easily just install Samba in the Ubuntu Software Center, then you can configure what Hard drive and folders to share. Other PC users across the house can access the files like movies or store their files onto the network storage as long as writing is allowed.

UPnp Server (MediaTomb)

MediaTomb can be installed easily with Ubuntu Software Center, streaming is different from direct accessing a movie file using the network storage, like if you have a device that can't play a particular movie file due to codec restriction/unavailability when you directly access it on the network storage, you can use the UPnp server to stream the movie file so it can be playable.

CCTV (Zoneminder)

I would say this is the hardest part of configuring the server. Basically you need a TV tuner that is compatible with a Linux system, If you install TV time on Ubuntu Software Center, you can immediately check if your TV tuner is working and is compatible, if it is, then go install Zoneminder according to your Ubuntu version, mine is 10.04 and if you follow the instructions properly there would be no problem, its just a matter of cut and paste lazily like what you do on Wikipedia for your home work. You can also use USB camera or Network camera but I haven't tried that yet so its not covered in the article.

Once its installed you can add a camera, select the proper format and its good to go, usually it will say "Network Camera error" when you probe it, but its working, just make sure you have the right resolution (mines 640x480) and capture pakette A(mines RGB555, usually its on device path /dev/video0 then the channel is 1 for A/V, channel 0 is television, channel 2 is s-video. The video would not work if the settings is wrong and the color would turn red.

I used to put it on Record so it will capture images FPS constantly but it will eat up disk space, so I used Modect which detect motion before capturing images and saving it onto the hard disk, Modect will  consume more system resource but less on disk space as the opposite for Record.

If on Record state, maximum FPS is the frame/images per second to be recorded onto the hard disk, alarm FPS would be irrelevant.

If on Modect state, maximum FPS is the detection, so the higher the FPS the better detection of motion, before it will trigger an alarm when it detected a motion, in turn when it detected a motion, the alarm FPS is the frame/image per second to be recorded onto the hard disk, the higher the alarm FPS is the more images will be saved per second thus eating up disk space. My settings is maximum FPS is 22 then alarm FPS is 10.

Saved FPS images will be at /var/cache/zoneminder/event folder, you can change it if you want but make sure the permission of the location folder must be writable by anyone or else it will not record.

The good part is anyone in the local network can access the CCTV camera even using your Smartphone, so if someones knocking on the door, you can see who it is.

Just don't forget to make your multimedia server to use static IP so it won't change IP address when you turn it off so if its been bookmarked on other PC, it will not be lost since its looking for the old IP address.

Signing up for Forex

Signing up for Forex Trading

Forex trading, making the first step

Finally after all these years of planning, I made my first step in Forex Trading, by making an online international account. The international thing is blocking me from getting out of my comfort zone.

It's time to trade something different aside from stocks so I could see if I'm good at it or not. You'll never know unless you try.

So basically living in the Philippines there are no known local Forex brokers here so you have to sign up internationally for a Forex account that accepts Philippine residence. And signing up internationally is strict. But that should not discourage you, just do it and don't think, sometimes being impulsive has its own advantage.

After researching a little bit, and read a blog, I have selected FXOpen as my Forex online broker of choice. Basically registering is easy, you just fill up your information about yourself like Name, Address and so on. Then second is validating your account. You must validate your account in order to deposit or withdraw money on your account to be able to start trading. You will just need to scan some of your valid documents and upload it to your account.

Proof of Identity

I had no problem with Proof of Identity, it passed with flying colors, scanning and uploading my valid Driver's License and my Passport.

Proof of Address

They will require you to scan and upload Utility bills or Bank Statement to verify your address, It must include your name and address on the bills or statement. I tried to send them a broadband bill but it was rejected, broadband bills are not allowed, you must send water or electric utility billing statements which I don't have because my father are the one paying the bills. So anyway if you trade in stocks, its better you must have a bank account because it will be easier for you to transfer money that way. Good thing I have a BDO saving account and asked for a Bank Statement, if you don't have one, you should already signed up for a bank account because that is going to be your foundation in investing, not literally saving on the bank but that will be your transfer point, transferring your money from investments accounts and so forth or into your pocket, signing up a bank account is easy.

Going back to topic, I went to SM Fairview BDO branch to ask one but was advised that you can only get your Bank Statement on a branch where you signed up for an account, in my case, It was in Fairview road BDO branch. So I went there to get a Bank Statement.

Its a small branch so parking problems occur, I need to park in another place and just walk a few meters. After reaching the bank branch, I get a number and waited for my turn, upon my turn the teller then told me the printer is broken, so I need to return the next day to get my copy of my Bank Statement. That Bank Statement is the final hurdle I need for my forex account to be validated. I am telling you stories on how I did mine so you will have ideas how it went through, its not going to be smooth but these troublesome little things occurs and will try to stop you from your goal, but you have to be determined in order to succeed, your mind must be focused on achieving your goal and nothing can stop you... like boredom and comfort zone, those things will drag you from doing anything, what more if you haven't had a bank account and ID's you will start from the bottom and you need to work it up step by step what requirements you need and you haven't even started yet.

Yeah like if signing up an account is that really hard, not really, all you need is patience and don't think too much, thinking how troublesome it is will just make you lazy.

After all that I got my Bank Statement printed costed P100, scanning and uploading my Bank Statement to FXOpen finally validates my account and is ready. If you are wondering what a Bank Statement is, it's just a printed paper contains your bank transaction for a certain period, it includes your name and address which is crucial required document.

Now the Second Step, putting money on my account to trade, I haven't deposited anything yet, probably waiting for Peso to be stronger against the Dollar when it reaches $1=P41, usually during the Christmas Season, but I need to put a little so at least I get the hang of Forex Trading before putting large amounts of capital on it..

Well As of now, I am still here on this stage, I will update a post on my blog once I do and share some info on what I will learn on this venture in Forex Trading.

Migrating my Father from Windows to Ubuntu

Windows to Ubuntu Migration

Migrating my father's PC from Windows® Operating System to Ubuntu Desktop

I am currently experimenting some Ubuntu desktop probably for business use in the future, I tried to use it in my previous Internet Cafe several years ago but it failed because there are some games that do not run on it. Aside from the server side, I am looking for a target market on it.

My father is already a senior citizen and finally after all this years he has found some use with the PC, he is really addicted to it, but it is not the PC alone but more on the Internet, yes I am talking about Google which is his starting point, Gmail for E-mail messages, Facebook where he could talk and be updated with his old friends and relatives abroad, Youtube where he watches lot's of funny clips and movies, checking Google Maps before going to a place he has never been before and Geni, where he makes the Family tree online, OpenOffice for documents then finally Printing and Scanning documents using a Linux compatible all-in-one printer scanner.

So why fix a system that works, well, not totally... When my father still use a Windows XP OS, not being accustomed to using a computer safely, he would just click every pop up that comes out, as a result the PC is always infected with viruses, and I would do a re-format every 3 months because the system no longer boots which is maintenance headache.

So I decided to migrate his PC using Ubuntu like I do, I just made some desktop adjustment to look like a Windows XP desktop, he didn't know the difference anyway since he would just click icons on the desktop and use the Web Browser, Install and put an icon shortcut and bookmarks on websites he uses, and the process is simple that it is easier than a Windows Desktop. His Ubuntu desktop still stands 10.04 LTS (Sep 2009), its old but it works and does not crash and slowdown after all these years. I would say the migration is a success.


Here are the problems I encounter on most Windows to Ubuntu Migration:

Hard to Use

Many people complain as it is hard to use, I hear it all the time with people who are new to a computer or old Windows user.

For new computer user, yes the learning is hard but same with a Windows desktop, it is generally hard to understand the concept of mouse and desktop especially for older people than using a touch type devices.

For old Windows user, its not hard, its just they are not used to it. Ask them how long they have been using a Windows system and they tell you Years, while about an Ubuntu system?.. they tell you Hours, so its about getting used to, its not really hard.

Applications Compatibility

A lot of games and application does not work on a Ubuntu system.. Yes its true, because they are not made for it, when those application was made, it was for a Windows system, no need to force it or I will I recommend to use Wine. This is where target market differs, just leave people to use Windows desktop because they are dependent on application that runs on it, because I am looking for new emerging target markets which I found in Casual PC users, they are starting to be or already are the majority of tech users. Casual PC users just do documents and browse the internet and that's it!, which a totally free Ubuntu operating system can happily fulfill. Let us remember that a Windows® operating system is not free, you don't just download it like most people do like 77% of users here in the Philippines according to an old study.

So now that it works for new market casual users, the only problem now is how many people can actually assist the migration of their relatives casual internet users to Ubuntu and products that has a pre-installed Ubuntu desktop when they purchased their devices straight from the stores. Unlike in the mobile space where Android™ is dominating, when they purchase a mobile phone, its already pre-installed with an Android™ operating system, its easy to use and much cheaper than a desktop PC.

As of now I am thinking of selling pre-installed ubuntu computers on low-cost low-powered atom mini-pc with printer/scanner bundle. The software runs Ubuntu and configured the same way I did on my fathers desktop, which just works, all items is available on the desktop. Then probably offer fast accessible support since only few people has relatives which can teach them how to use Ubuntu desktop, probably their relatives would install a non-legit copy of Windows on it if not properly handled. This is one of my business plan I am developing, though I revealed it prematurely is because the business plan may be obsolete later on as mobile platform powered by Android™ will be the standard for casual users.

Like in the mobile world, its the Apps that rules, installing apps in an Ubuntu system is similar to it, It may be limited but its safe using its Software Center. In a Windows system, its Apps maybe its strong point but installing it is too easy and risky, that ease of software installation in Windows is the same reason why its a fragile system as viruses and spyware can easily be installed into the system without the user knowing it. So if you are a casual PC users, Ubuntu is the best for you. Probably try Linux Mint if you want a complete system out of the box, Linux mint is based on Ubuntu except that they pre-installed everything like codecs and software that would make your life easier.

Aside from this, I need to be observant as a desktop PC trend is being limited to a workplace and hardcore gaming, I am not saying the PC desktop is dying, it is just that, a lot of people are going to use their Smartphones and Tablets to do their casual internet thing and they are a lot of them. Smartphone is getting cheaper and cheaper by the day and free WiFi is just everywhere.


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