View Full Version : Which Linux distro should XBMC officially support next?
Now that Ubuntu is stabilizing...which linux distro should we officially support next
I'll hold my vote for now. I'll just note that Intel is changing platform for Moblin to Fedora was it?
Hehe.. Did I miss something. I didn't think anything was "officially" supported yet?
Anyhow. I'd like to put in a vote for Arch Linux. It's a great distro that lends itself well to a customised HTPC application. No bloat, largely custom built by the end user, but simple to use and configure. I know you'll probably base the decision on stats from distrowatch but I'll put in a vote for Arch anyhow.
An Arch user already supplies a custom built SVN of XBMC via repository but it would be fantastic to see some of the devs take a look at Arch and the way it works.
One of the advantages is that it's a rolling distribution so it's always at the latest. Could be an advantage to you. Could be the opposite. But the beauty is that once you install you don't ever have to go and reinstall your OS in order to "re-code" for the next release.
Cheers,
Arkay.
JackieBrown
2008-08-04, 15:33
Debian Sid
(There is a difference.)
I voted Gentoo, myself.
Lots of linux users wouldn't use it for desktop use because it can be a little tougher and because of all the compiling, though it is often used to make stripped down bootcds, livecds, etc. I believe that it would make an excellent distro for XBMC, not only as an official package (though there is a great/working ebuild out there), but as an entire platform customized from scratch for livecd/liveusb/etc.
Also, I think that a rather important option was left off: 64bit. Whether implemented as 64bit Ubuntu, or a 64bit version of all supported 32bit distro's, I think it's very important not to ignore.
My $.02
I use and recommend arch too.
I would have thought ubuntu is enough to support for the meantime.
Personally I'd like to see focus towards (the future goal?) of running a completely stripped base system.
I like the idea of booting xbmc from an embedded flash image/network boot/whatever relatively quickly (limited by bytes, file structure and device speed).
I'd like the possibility of running without a hard disk, ram is cheap and we're all running fast 64bit hardware (right?) - I'd like to be able to add a full web browser(for eg.), and is any kind of suspend/resume possible without using a system disk? (no)
Maybe something similar to geexboxs' iso generator could be considered?
Because 'I'd like' this this stuff I reckon you should do it
rodalpho
2008-08-04, 18:59
I don't understand why you guys would be interested in supporting additional distros. Isn't the idea ultimately to get XBMC working on a flash drive install (http://www.pendrivelinux.com/2008/05/15/usb-ubuntu-804-persistent-install-from-linux/) with its own X-server, etc? Or do you plan to continue developing XBMC as a standalone application running in a standard desktop environment? Or both?
Gamester17
2008-08-04, 22:03
If we used openSUSE Build Service then we could make RPMs that supports openSUSE, SUSE Linux, Debian Etch, Fedora, Red Hat, CentOS, Mandriva, and Ubuntu (including Ubuntu, Kubuntu, Xubuntu, etc.)
http://en.opensuse.org/Build_Service
http://en.opensuse.org/Build_Service/Upstream_Integration
Please keep the discussion about openSUSE Build Service in this other thread here:
http://xbmc.org/forum/showthread.php?t=34697
PS! Personally though I think the next step for us should be to concentrate our own XBMC LiveUSB/LiveCD Distro.
theuni; good thing xbmc compiles 64bit now then so you are satisfied (even if not particularly up to date)
gfairbanks
2008-08-04, 22:33
Right now there's lots of active development so it's no big deal that Ubuntu releases every six months. But I'd hope that within a year the linux version is as stable as the XBMC 2.0.1 for xbox version -- which was so good I never had a reason to upgrade (YMMV).
As many of us recently experienced, upgrading from 7.10 to 8.04 had a few snags and took some time. I'm looking forward to the time when I rarely think about the HTPC under my TV, the way I rarely think about my server running Debian stable, which has distro upgrades infrequently.
Yet another vote for Arch linux here. It's the ideal compromise between Gentoo and Debian, defaults to binary installation on a rolling release yet easy to build from source as well.
Spiff-
64bit works great here (gentoo too, no less) so I have no complaints. I've been under the impression, though, that it wasn't officially supported. Maybe that's changed.. if so I apologize and great work
no reason to apologize just wanted to inform you (and you seem to be informed then).
yes, it's as officially supported as 32-bit
Ubuntu is fine but IMO a stripped distro that could be run via flash, CD, or other means based on existing work is a better end goal than another full install distro. <shrug>
anubisg1
2008-08-05, 00:56
openSUSE 11.0
;)
nesnomis
2008-08-05, 01:09
Ubuntu is enough... thankyou... ?!? .. how does that compute with opensource and collaboration????...
Ubuntu is enough... thankyou... ?!? .. how does that compute with opensource and collaboration????...
you don't have to select a choice just because it's there you know
that choice basically means, no need we're good already
althekiller
2008-08-05, 02:21
I don't think it would be too difficult to support ANY distro. There just needs to be someone (or a small group) who is skilled enough to identify and debug problems that are distro specific on their own and report what needs fixed to the dev team.
There is already an ebuild for gentoo tested working on both x86 and amd64, rpm x86 packages for opensuse, x86 pkg.tar.gz for archlinux and I'm sure others that I don't know about. Keep in mind that for the time being they are all unsupported.
Given Mint is theoretically a streamlined version of Ubuntu. I suspect it wouldn't take much work to get that to the Ubuntu level. I might be over simplifying things though.
Zeqad1ous
2008-08-06, 16:33
Being an Arch User myself, I of course vote Arch Linux. :-DZeq
resadent
2008-08-12, 17:03
Please make XBMC for arch linux stable. It's imposible compile it correctly...
Gentoo imho is the best distro for development. I see that most threads on here are "I use xyz, support xyz" but if you want a base distro to test your project in the development phase and have users that are a little more apt to debug/contribute then I would go with Gentoo. Also Gentoo is great for livecds/liveusbs.
As someone fairly new to Linux, I've been trying lots of liveusb distros (dsl, x/ubuntu, pendrive linux, mandriva etc etc....), by far the easiest, simplest and best I've found in Fedora (FC9).
There's a very easy live usb creator, which makes a persistent liveusb stick, which left plenty of space on my 1gb key. This would be perfect for a new (to linux) user, they could easily create the fedora liveusb stick, boot it up and install xbmc from yum or similar.
Of course a complete xbmc live usb distro would be the best, but while the ati driver support is not there, for a fair % of us this is a non-starter
mitchell2345
2008-09-19, 06:34
Hi,
Im sure this has been asked before but i couldnt find a "current" thread on it.
I am a old XBMC user on the original Xbox. I quit using it as I wanted a way to record TV & play HD. So about 2 years ago I moved the MythTV and am quite happy but the Music and Videos section of Myth is lacking. I was browsing the net and noticed there has been signification progress made on porting XBMC. I would like to add a menu option to launch XBMC for video and music (i know this is possible and I know how to do this part) BUT...
On my linux box I have always ran Fedora but recently switched to CentOS for stability/release cycle. In my two years of Linux experience almost all *nix programs can be compiled for any distro. Now that I have come back to XBMC I see Ubuntu is the only supported distro. Can someone explain why this is? Is there techinacal reason or is it just for support simplicity?
2 years ago when I started Mythmost support for Myth was on Fedora so I gravitated to it. Over time the support has been balancing (ie since Mythbuntu) but both are still very supported. I dont want to move to Ubuntu as that would be a TOTAL PITA!
Is there anything technically preventing a third party packing rpms up?
Will the code not work?
What are the plans in the future?
Any info is appriciated.
Thanks!
Mitchell
Its the only "Supported" because its easy to limit newbs to one it can run on pretty much anything these days but we currently only ship precompiled versions for ubuntu to save our selfs a support nightmare on 100 different type of linux installs that we have no access too or use
You are free to run it on whatever linux version you like but official bug and compiling help only currently is for ubuntu
mitchell2345
2008-09-19, 06:55
ok, so is there any documentation on the dependencies to compile XBMC?
Thanks!
At least use that as a starting point. You may also want to look at the other linux forum posts of the other users that have compiled on other distros.
Maybe this will save you some time, it's specific to Gentoo though:
http://gentoo-wiki.com/XBMC
mitchell2345
2008-09-19, 07:11
ok thanks for the info. off to bed now...will be a good project for the weekend.. :)
mitchell
If you get it compiling on your platform, please feel free to contribute instructions to our wiki or even a link to the binaries.
ubikdood
2008-09-19, 16:14
ok thanks for the info. off to bed now...will be a good project for the weekend.. :)
mitchell
I use slackware and compile XBMC from source.
Initially, some dependencies were missing but they were not too many. So, it shouldn't be too difficult in your case either.
gentoo works kinda out of the box... just emerge deps first
svn up
./configure
make
even on a 64 bit install
Gamester17
2008-09-20, 23:03
I like this idea:
http://xbmc.org/forum/showthread.php?t=34697OpenSuse announced its Build Service today:
http://en.opensuse.org/Build_Service
With the BS you're are able to build software packages for different Linux distributions.
I think XBMC should try to get into the BuildService, so everybody is able to get XBMC on Linux.
Build your software for multiple Linux distributions.
Currently, the list of supported distributions is:
* SUSE
o openSUSE 11.0
o openSUSE 10.3
o openSUSE 10.2
o SUSE Linux 10.1
o SUSE Linux Enterprise 10
o SUSE Linux Enterprise 9
o openSUSE Factory
* Debian
o Debian Etch
* Red Hat
o Fedora 9
o Fedora 8
o Fedora 7
o Fedora 6 + Extras
o Red Hat Enterprise Linux 5
o Red Hat Enterprise Linux 4
o CentOS 5
* Mandriva Linux
o Mandriva 2008
o Mandriva 2007
o Mandriva 2006
* Ubuntu (Includes Ubuntu, Kubuntu, Xubuntu, etc.)
o Ubuntu 8.04
o Ubuntu 7.10
o Ubuntu 7.04
o Ubuntu 6.06
I like this idea:
http://xbmc.org/forum/showthread.php?t=34697
+1!
I voted for Fedora. The reason is that I hope that we some day soon have a better integration betwin MythTV as a TV backend and XBMC as a frontend. If so it seams that many MythTV users use Fedora (look for example at MythDora project) and it would be sweet to have them booth on the same machine.
Oh, there is another reason - even thou I now use Kubuntu Fedora was my first distro and its always nice to come back some time :;
stokedfish
2008-09-25, 21:52
+1!
+2
mitchell2345
2008-09-25, 21:58
+2
+3
All distro's sounds like a good idea to me
+3
All distro's sounds like a good idea to me
Of course it would be awesome if all of the developers could install 22 versions of Linux on their home computers and work out the kinks in each one, it's just not feasible. So, as the title says, pick one. We have to work our way through one at a time. Eventually we'll have them all, but not in 6 months time. So may I suggest you choose the distro you use and not raise your hand for all of them. It's really not helpful unless you're volunteering to develop/package/support them all.
I voted Fedora
I've already compiled valid Fedora 8/9 CentOS 5 (both 32 & 64) bit RPMs. Takes me about an hour(total) to compile on those 3 distros (both 32 & 64). Build farms are fun :)
It's actually very very easy to compile for the RedHat based stuff. The SuSE build service is great and all but... I don't know if they would allow it with the codecs included, they are very picky about licensing stuff... but as mentioned previously I'll save that for another thread.
I voted Fedora
I've already compiled valid Fedora 8/9 CentOS 5 (both 32 & 64) bit RPMs. Takes me about an hour(total) to compile on those 3 distros (both 32 & 64). Build farms are fun :)
It's actually very very easy to compile for the RedHat based stuff. The SuSE build service is great and all but... I don't know if they would allow it with the codecs included, they are very picky about licensing stuff... but as mentioned previously I'll save that for another thread.
That's great! We'd love to have you contribute directions for compiling from source to our wiki. Also, if you have the RPMs hosted anywhere could we link to them from our download page?
That's great! We'd love to have you contribute directions for compiling from source to our wiki. Also, if you have the RPMs hosted anywhere could we link to them from our download page?
My RPMs and basic compiling instructions are located @ http://fedorajunkies.com/index.php/XBMC
The src.rpms are there too so they can be recompiled by anyone as development moves forward. There are a few patches I've also created for Fedora/CentOS included. They are from 9-20 SVN I believe so they are a bit "old" at the moment, I'm going to submit the latest SVN to my build farm tomorrow to bring them up to speed however those ones do work as there are quite a few people using them.
The SRC rpms include the .svn files, they will be removed on the next build (tomorrow), because of that the source RPMs listed are 200+MB.
You can either copy my notes from my wiki or instruct me where in your wiki you'd like them :)
I am assuming you would like it in some fashion as http://xbmc.org/wiki/?title=HOW-TO_compile_XBMC_for_Linux_from_source_code , however I'd like specific instructions from you before I go mucking around someone else's good documentation.
(Great piece of software by the way)
Edit: Yes feel free to link away, I don't pay for bandwidth ;)
-S
I would say just add a link on that page that says something to the extent of "Compiling for Fedora/RedHat Enterprise Linux/CentOS" and then create a new page with instructions for the distributions.
I would say just add a link on that page that says something to the extent of "Compiling for Fedora/RedHat Enterprise Linux/CentOS" and then create a new page with instructions for the distributions.
No permissions, my username is the same as here.
Not sure how to give access. msg pike on the forums or irc and he can take care of you. Just ask for ninja status.
Not sure how to give access. msg pike on the forums or irc and he can take care of you. Just ask for ninja status.
Ta-Da
http://xbmc.org/wiki/?title=Compiling_for_Fedora_RedHat_Enterprise_Linu x_CentOS
:)
Looks great. Thanks for your contribution!
Looks great. Thanks for your contribution!
You're most welcome, thanks for making a great product. I'll do my best to keep that up to date, I've got a few friends using XBMC w/ Fedora now on a regular basis so I'll be forced to keep it working ;)
Pvt_Ryan
2008-10-13, 19:03
Other:
A custom OS that pulls from debian unstable /ubuntu repositories, but only has the bare essentials to run XBMC, maybe include vim and ssh for management, but no desktop or other rubbish.
althekiller
2008-10-13, 20:02
Other:
A custom OS that pulls from debian unstable /ubuntu repositories, but only has the bare essentials to run XBMC, maybe include vim and ssh for management, but no desktop or other rubbish.
Haven't seen XBMC Live yet, have we?
other:
stripped down debian unstable, with the option to format the disk the (in my eyes) correct way (/, /home, /usr, /var, /tmp and swap partitions). debian runs a lot better on my hardware. well, let me say it like this, it works on my hardware out of the box, and that is something that ubuntu cannot accomplish. i've had so many problems with ubuntu that i gave that up. now i wan't this ubuntu mid (the xbmc live version) installed on my system, since the live cd works like a charm, but as you can see in the topic i created, the installation doesn't work like it should.
Pvt_Ryan
2008-10-15, 17:31
Haven't seen XBMC Live yet, have we?
Nope... :)
Nordmende
2008-10-16, 18:36
ALL !
Why don't you publish a Source-Code Version so everybody can compile it on nearly every Distribution ?
I want to try XBMC, but i'm using ArchLinux and so I can't try it....
ALL !
Why don't you publish a Source-Code Version so everybody can compile it on nearly every Distribution ?
I want to try XBMC, but i'm using ArchLinux and so I can't try it....
:eek: .. maybe you should visit and read the main project site before posting ..
althekiller
2008-10-16, 20:16
:eek: .. maybe you should visit and read the main project site before posting ..
Pff...read?..riiight.
ALL !
Why don't you publish a Source-Code Version so everybody can compile it on nearly every Distribution ?
I want to try XBMC, but i'm using ArchLinux and so I can't try it....
We talked it over and decided take the necessary steps for the betterment of the project. Thanks for being that catalyst. You can visit our new sourceforge page to get the source code: http://sourceforge.net/projects/xbmc/.
bmfrosty
2008-10-17, 05:09
(Other) I for one would love to see a version specific to the Xandros variant on the EEEPCs. The idea being that I could buy a $300 EEE (http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=9050206&type=product&id=1218012526050&&DCMP=KNC-TLC&ref=25&loc=PGR&srccode=cii_5784816&cpncode=24-729491-2) and being able to easily have something appropriate for watching videos on a plane would be divine.
I would like to run a minimalist distro just for a media center. Knoppix comes to mind.
I would like to run a minimalist distro just for a media center. Knoppix comes to mind.
check out xbmc livecd.
althekiller
2008-10-20, 00:23
Hrm, seems ~6pgs is where a thread becomes too long to read...
alexisazen
2008-10-21, 18:16
debian. Wouldn't be too difficult since it's the parent of ubuntu.
personally, gentoo. I have used it as my main distro for many years.
although the current ebuild works fine, i would recommend against offering a pre-compiled version.
The other downpoint is people who don't really know linux and encounter issues will flood the forums looking for support, completely unrelated to xbmc.
More seriously, although I haven't looked at it, I am assuming XBMC Live is this, your own minimalistic distro would be the best. I don't see the point of running xbmc off usb or cd (as I said, I haven't looked at live), but as a setup like smoothwall would make development and end user support a lot simpler as software is consistant for all users.
My 5c
I think that you should fully support ubuntu out of the box first. Like support for pulseaudio.
The PulseAudio fix is in the works.
Great!! When pulseaudio works, meaning i can get surround sound, my XBMC setup will be near perfect!
Hope it will be ready soon!
I've been running "Linux" (Slack, RedHat, Fedora) since 1995 and I don't have any problems with any dist. At home I'm running Xbox (of course), CentOS on my server and XBMC on Ubuntu/WinXP both on the laptop and workstation.
I think that any small distribution including Myth (both backend/frontend) would be perfect for my needs.
And by the way, THANKS for a great piece of software!
My $.02
slicemaster
2008-11-19, 05:34
PS! Personally though I think the next step for us should be to concentrate our own XBMC LiveUSB/LiveCD Distro.
I agree, the live disk is certainly the key to building a reliable turn-key Linux solution. I noticed that a hard drive install feature has been added recently and that is a very strong step in the right direction. However as time goes on I hope to see more advanced integration of XBMC as the primary GUI with its Linux core. Features such as automatic system update as well as advanced remote control configuration tools that are executable and configurable from inside XBMC are a must. also a more advanced installer would be good as well, frankly one that is similar to Ubuntu's which gives you advanced partitioning options, localization settings, and most importantly in my opinion is keyboard/remote control input key mapping (this would be great to be able to automatically detect an installed IR censer and either double check that your remote keys are mapped properly or remap them on the spot with out the need to get technical with configuration files).
Pvt_Ryan
2008-11-19, 13:07
I too think you should concentrate on getting the livecd as light weight and sable as possible. So it can become a standalone Mediacenter, ideally you should get the whole thing down to a couple of hundred meg for a HDD install.
Once that is done start adding features that are in mythbuntu. Like DV capture and tv guide etc.
I too think you should concentrate on getting the livecd as light weight and sable as possible. So it can become a standalone Mediacenter, ideally you should get the whole thing down to a couple of hundred meg for a HDD install.
Once that is done start adding features that are in mythbuntu. Like DV capture and tv guide etc.
Agree on a nice lightweight install and liveCD. However why duplicate Myth and reinvent the wheel? Myth is a client server application with a well working back end. XBMC can be a front-end for this and avoid having to do all of the work that Myth does and Myth is already supported by guys who have been doing that stuff a very long time...
so we should all use myth instead?
althekiller
2008-11-20, 07:29
so we should all use myth instead?
For DVB/VDR/PVR/etc yes, the backend only, of course. Unless you feel like dipping into v4l and w/e the win32/osx equivalents are?
but this is a thread about distros...when did myth become a distro?
Well there is Mythbuntu... ;)
The point was made that rather than attempting to support still more distros that perhaps effort to build a stable LiveCD, perhaps a unique install?, might be better. I agreed with that but disagreed with the further assertion that Myth functionality should somehow be rolled into XBMC as a step after that.
IMO Myth already works and is supported by guys who have been doing it a long time - why duplicate their effort when a front-end client could be setup to use their existing client\server architecture as designed? That, IMO, makes more sense and has nothing to do with a Mythical Myth distro (nyuk nyuk).
althekiller
2008-11-20, 20:19
Yeah that's how I interpreted it. Don't mind malloc, he's a little slow.
/me runs in circles chasing his tail.
Zeppstar
2009-01-21, 02:11
Aging thread I know but ....
(Arch Linux)
From personal experience... Once you get a taste of XBMC your quickly find yourself wanting to build a shiny new high end system. This generally leads to needing latest drivers etc. Arch definately provides this and with minimal effort from the user.
I know there is a risk using Arch (Bleeding Edge) but its a far greater risk buying hardware only to find its not supported(Even though its claimed to be).
I know! I know! research you hardware before you buy and XBMC doesnt really need top spec gear but Im a techno junkie and is fact that I need the lastest and greatest.
Zepp
air.zrakovic
2009-01-29, 14:43
Intel Moblin V2 Core Alpha: It Boots Fast! (http://www.phoronix.com/scan.php?page=article&item=intel_moblin_2&num=1)
ill vote for archlinux here .. got it running on both 32bit and 64bit boxes.
shiftybugger
2009-02-23, 06:42
Another vote for Arch Linux.
1 Month bump ftw... i'm installing Arch Linux now... lets help suspend works
shassino
2009-03-19, 17:13
debian
Tariella
2009-03-19, 17:45
gentoo
1 Month bump ftw... i'm installing Arch Linux now... lets help suspend works
Great news - seems like i/we Archers do get even more support now that you're at least on the same platform.
Oh, for the poll: I vote Arch Linux, but i understand that a rolling distro might not be the first choice for this effort.
robert3353
2009-05-15, 12:18
Is the source code available or a standard bash install script available so someone who does not use Ubuntu could make use of your program. I gave up with Ubuntu as I was constantly having problems with Pulse Audio(which is garbage) I am currently using Mepis Linux which is based upon Debian, it uses the Lenny branch of their repositories.
By only providing xbmc for Ubuntu you are defeating your own arguments for why you ported the application over to Linux. If it runs on Ubuntu it should not be a problem to compile it for the other distros. I am not saying that you need to compile it, only provide a link to the source code so any one industrious enough could do so. So why limit your exposure to only one Distro? I also use CrossLinux by code weavers and they created a standard bash install script so that their application could be installed on any of the distros regardless of the package management system they used. With this all one has to do is to open up a terminal window and navigate to where the file has been downloaded to and type su "then the file name.su" and if the install script was created correctly it will install on any distro.
Thanks,
Robert
jmarshall
2009-05-15, 12:35
Welcome.
Start by going here: http://xbmc.org/download
And scrolling down.
Cheers,
Jonathan
? grab svn and build away. we build on many other distros. we can't build for every distro out there, that is the job of packagers.
atkinsonr
2009-05-15, 13:28
If your preferred flavor if Linux doesn't have a package for XBMC - why don't you start one?
That's what open source is all about!