Hi
My family currently has an iMac, 4 laptops and 3 printers variously utilised by 4 members of the family, with iTunes, iPhoto and movie content scattered over all computers with the bulk of it on the iMac and streamed to an appletv.
We also have a now unused but perfectly useable G5 2ghz iMac 20", which we could use in some way.
Our network consists of 2 airport express units covering the house and the imac directly tethered to the router.
I am keen to centralise our content, use the new Time machine for all our computers with data stored centrally and better control our printers - particularly as I am soon to be moving the main iMac down the bottom of our garden in a new garden office.
The issue is that I cant decide whether I should use the G5, get a mac mini, or both and whether to use osx server or not.. half the problem is that I am not that familier with what osx server can do..
One thing I did read was that osx server doesnt include iLife so I guess if I went down that path I'd have to store the libraries on a server(the G5?) but have say a macmini to access it to stream to the appletv? or maybe connect the macmini direct to the tv and attach the appletv to a bedroom tv linked to the macmini? I am getting very confused....
Our requirements are:
-----------------------------------------------------
Grant access to iTunes, iPhoto, movies to all the family (they should be able to access the libraries, manipulate images, build photo albums, add new photos, purchase music, rip & add new songs, add/manipulate play movies, etc. from any computer on our network.
Be able to stream iTunes audio & video content and iphoto content to TV's around the house. (1 main, 2 bedroom units)
Share iCal calendar for all members on our network
Have the new time machine data stored at one point for all computers, with a regular backup to a standalone unit
All family members to have their own file storage area and have this data time-machined (or maybe .mac Backup to an external?)
Control printing from all family members
Control access rights to net for children
Be able to host family website and have our own ftp facility
(nice to have) Run our own mail server
(nice to have) be able to access our network - like a extranet/vpn - when away from home
---------------------------------
This is quite an ask but does anyone have an idea how best to achieve what I'm looking for?
Vanilla
My family currently has an iMac, 4 laptops and 3 printers variously utilised by 4 members of the family, with iTunes, iPhoto and movie content scattered over all computers with the bulk of it on the iMac and streamed to an appletv.
We also have a now unused but perfectly useable G5 2ghz iMac 20", which we could use in some way.
Our network consists of 2 airport express units covering the house and the imac directly tethered to the router.
I am keen to centralise our content, use the new Time machine for all our computers with data stored centrally and better control our printers - particularly as I am soon to be moving the main iMac down the bottom of our garden in a new garden office.
The issue is that I cant decide whether I should use the G5, get a mac mini, or both and whether to use osx server or not.. half the problem is that I am not that familier with what osx server can do..
One thing I did read was that osx server doesnt include iLife so I guess if I went down that path I'd have to store the libraries on a server(the G5?) but have say a macmini to access it to stream to the appletv? or maybe connect the macmini direct to the tv and attach the appletv to a bedroom tv linked to the macmini? I am getting very confused....
Our requirements are:
-----------------------------------------------------
Grant access to iTunes, iPhoto, movies to all the family (they should be able to access the libraries, manipulate images, build photo albums, add new photos, purchase music, rip & add new songs, add/manipulate play movies, etc. from any computer on our network.
Be able to stream iTunes audio & video content and iphoto content to TV's around the house. (1 main, 2 bedroom units)
Share iCal calendar for all members on our network
Have the new time machine data stored at one point for all computers, with a regular backup to a standalone unit
All family members to have their own file storage area and have this data time-machined (or maybe .mac Backup to an external?)
Control printing from all family members
Control access rights to net for children
Be able to host family website and have our own ftp facility
(nice to have) Run our own mail server
(nice to have) be able to access our network - like a extranet/vpn - when away from home
---------------------------------
This is quite an ask but does anyone have an idea how best to achieve what I'm looking for?
Vanilla