[Microdot @ Aug 20th 2007 11:30PM]

just a suggestion:
http://www.qnap.com.tw/pro_detail_feature.asp?p_id=74

$300 and you can use your own drives (supports up to 2tb with the ability to expand through usb externals). it runs nix, has mods floating all around, is rock solid stable, and expansive without proprietary crap and software. nas, dlna media server, ftp server, download (bt, ftp, http) managed station, backup server, hot swappable drive bays, runs apache/php/mysql/sqllite, etc.

dont throw money away on useless garbage from microsoft because its new and shiny.

[blamecanada @ Aug 20th 2007 11:51PM]

This is aimed at the consumer who has no idea what *nix is, let alone how to configure it. I'd build my own and buy a copy of WHS for it.

[Mark @ Aug 20th 2007 11:54PM]

But it's new and shiny

[Microdot @ Aug 20th 2007 11:59PM]

"This is aimed at the consumer who has no idea what *nix is, let alone how to configure it. I'd build my own and buy a copy of WHS for it."


thats the beauty of the qnap nas (as well as most others on the market)... you dont need to know squat. plug in your drives... if you have windows, they give you a little helper app to setup backup rotations and networking, and you're done. everything else is simple and self explanatory... log into the system via your browser, and control it all... media sharing, itunes server, etc.

the nice part is, if you want more... its there. if you are a more advanced user, they offer a telnet client to jump into the core of the os and set it up as you see fit. host sites, run your pwn programs, etc. its all there, at a fraction of the cost, and without the proprietary bs.

[John @ Aug 21st 2007 2:32AM]

"thats the beauty of the qnap nas (as well as most others on the market)... you dont need to know squat."

Sure. But you try and explain to a triple-clicker/12-o'clock flasher what a hard drive is. :)