Linux Mint & HTPC

[callagg2]

Hi,
I was looking at this page asking what people mainly/primary use your computer for??
https://forums.linuxmint.com/viewtopic.php?t=378244
and one option not listed was as a HTPC.

I know in the forums, people are using Linux Mint as a HTPC, directly or indirectly.
https://forums.linuxmint.com/viewtopic.php?t=394452 (Any cure for serious overscan on HTPC/Smart TV?)
https://forums.linuxmint.com/viewtopic.php?t=263880 (Slingplayer)

but Could Linux Mint be used as a HTPC itself?

[b]Appearance[/b]
I think we could customise the appearance of Linux Mint, using it for productivity usually requires you sitting near your screen, while for HTPC the opposite is the case - you could 5 metres back or more. Yet there is only [u]one[/u] interface. I’m thinking Flex Launcher (“a customizable application launcher and front end designed with a TV-friendly 10 foot user interface, intending to mimic the look and feel of a streaming box or game console”). (https://github.com/complexlogic/flex-launcher). So at the login screen, you might have a list of beside your login, the icons could be like as follows: https://github.com/complexlogic/flex-launcher/raw/master/docs/assets/screenshots/screenshot1.png Once you go into that option, of you get a suitable look & feel (resolution).

[b]Packages[/b]
There is no need to create yet another HTPC, many of the components for a HTPC exist in Linux (I'm thinking Kodi/Hypnotix), but they are not packaged as a user-curated system. Most users don’t know what package they need -particularly if they are using DVB USB-sticks.

Linux Mint could make suggestions about entry about what packages to install. So, if you chose to enter Gaming, upon entry it could list individual quick launchers for Steam/Proton etc, for productivity list the individual quick launchers of LibreOffice and so on installed, for Graphics list the individual quick launchers of GIMP, Krita, Openshot, Kdenlive and so on, for Multimedia suggest great music/video apps, and for HTPC list the individual quick launchers of kodi, VLC, and Hynoptix preinstalled. These could be packages that someone new to Linux would typically not know.

[b]Remote Control[/b]
If we want to control our HTPC from a distance, there are ways to control Linux Mint. One solution that I found is is Unifed Remote
(https://www.unifiedremote.com/). If we could make the HTPC interface really big on Linux Mint,then controlling Kodi, Hypnotix, YoutTube, Netflix etc would be very easy on our phones.

Then, when it comes to positioning Linux Mint at release time, we are just advertising a home screen with a start menu similar to most other distributions, we are advertising a system that can be targeted to your needs.

So, yes we can probably do this at present,
but I think people would jump at a pre-configured system.