Real mind-bender

[stormhawk31]

You know...I've gotta say: the more I think about how I want to use my computer, the more I think I need to turn it into a hybrid network media device and cloud server, that can also do local things like gaming (although the games I tend to play aren't TOO taxing on system resources). I mean, I need MASSIVE storage - the more the better. Multiple tens of terabytes is not ridiculous. Seriously. But I also need it to talk to everything I own, and the things my brother and mother own as well (and remember, they're offsite). By this, I mean that where ever I am (living room, bathroom, work, Japan, some other country) I need to be able to watch or listen to what I want, how I want - on a tablet, phone, TV, laptop, someone else's PC, whatever, and the people I give access to should be able to do the same. I own a Chromecast, and I have it set up to run video files from my computer right now, but it can't play certain types of files, like copied DVDs. That needs to change, because I have my entire DVD library burned to my hard drives, which means about a third of my files won't play on my Chromecast. I also do a lot of writing, so I need to be able to open my writing files and get to work when the inspiration strikes, no matter where I am or what I'm using, in my house or out. And, of course, I play some games, almost exclusively on my computer, although I also have an Xbox 360 (and eventually, I'll have an Xbox One), so my computer needs to be able to run my games without choking when someone else is streaming a video or something. I know this is a lot to ask, but I want what I want. And it will be mine. Oh yes, it WILL be mine...

Edited January 8, 2015 by stormhawk31

[Waco]

FreeNAS + Plex. Build a gaming computer separate.