After buying the basic hardware and building a case for it you need to git it the life!

My Home Theather Server (Nas + HTPC) features the Ubuntu Operating System, and I highly suggest it to you if you like nerding around (this has actually been my first time with a Unix OS). You could absolutely do the same with Windows or MacOS, it’s up to you! Following a list of commands and programs that I just kept them as a reminder, but some may turn helpful to you as well if you choose to follow my configuration.

Softwares

INSTALL SSH
Too cool not to have it.
#sudo apt-get install ssh

INSTALL XBMC
Great media player, used for movies, pics, music and much more..
sudo add-apt-repository ppa:team-xbmc
#sudo apt-get update
#sudo apt-get install xbmc
#sudo apt-get update
#sudo apt-get upgrade

BACKUPPC
Backup all yuor network pcs… Not so straightforward but it works!
>install
#sudo apt-get install backuppc
> change archive folder
#sudo ln -s /media/data/BACKUP/backuppc/ /var/lib/

PROCESS AND NETWORK MANAGERS
Very good process explorer.
#sudo apt-get install htop
Network status and usage.
#sudo apt-get install iftop

HAMACHI
Virtual private network.
http://www.webupd8.org/2010/10/install-hamachi2-and-haguichi-gui-for.html

TEMPERATURE SENSORS
Hard Disks temperature
#sudo apt-get install hddtemp
> call via: #sudo hddtemp /dev/sda (sdb, sdc, sdd)

CPU, MB, and fan speed
#sudo apt-get install lm-sensors
> call via: #sensors

LAMPP
All you need to run a basic unix server.
#sudo apt-get install apache2 php5-mysql libapache2-mod-php5 mysql-server
#apt-get install php5-curl
> Remember to: enable display_errors and change max_execution_time, enable curl

CONKY
Customize your desktop!
#sudo apt-get install conky

Useful settings

CHANGE DNS
To use Google Public DNS (Why doing so?)
#sudo vi /etc/resolv.conf
> add: nameserver 8.8.8.8
> add: nameserver 8.8.4.4

SAMBA
Force it to use a custom user (from Windows), to avoid permission conflicts.
#sudo vi /etc/samba/smb.conf
http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/ubuntu/share-ubuntu-home-directories-using-samba/
> add ‘force user = username’ in [global section]

SSH PUBLIC KEY
For instance, to allow remote auto-backup without having to insert password every time.
> http://www.cyberciti.biz/tips/ssh-public-key-based-authentication-how-to.html
From your machine:
#sudo -s
#ssh-keygen -t rsa
#scp /root/.ssh/id_rsa.pub username@mycooldomain.com:.ssh/authorized_keys2

SHUTDOWN via SHORTCUT
http://linux.byexamples.com/archives/315/how-to-shutdown-and-reboot-without-sudo-password/
From Ubuntu > keyboard shortcuts add > #sudo /sbin/shutdown -h 0
From terminal:
#sudo visudo
> append:
#username ALL = NOPASSWD: /sbin/shutdown

HDMI AUDIO ON Asus AT3IONT-I
By default audio from HDMI otput will not work, so do the following:
Install ALSA mixer (software center) > Check IEC958 (last on the right)
Sound preferencers > Profile > Choose one of the choiches with HDMI

UNINSTALL COMPLETELY AN APPLICATION
#sudo apt-get --purge remove appname

AUTOSTART TRANSMISSION
From Ubuntu autostart, add > transmission-gtk -m

Buying the basic hardware ->
Home made Home Theater Server (HTS) – Part I
Building the case ->
Home made Home Theater Server (HTS) – Part II