Time to start messing around with it...
- Going to start with the recommended Raspbian "Wheezy" build, though I'll probably give XBMC.
- For OS storage, I picked-up a Microcenter-branded Adata 16 GB microSDHD class 10 for $11. (I went with microSD cause it's only a few bucks more and you get compatibility with cell phones/cameras/etc.)
- Keyboard: check. Mouse: check. Monitor + HDMI: check. But after SSH and VNC servers are set-up, I'm booting the keyboard and mouse and reclaiming the USB ports for hard drives.
- Probably going to skip adding a USB wifi-adapter and just keep it on the shelf next to the router.
- I've got 3 mini-USB cables, but no micro-USB. So it looks like I'm off to Microcenter again.
- All my legos are in a box in the bottom of a closet at my parent's house, so I guess I'll need to find my own case. Including tax and shipping from the UK: $15.47. Takes 5-12 business days, but until then...
Update:
- The microSD card was a dud. Cheap electronics, why you so cheap? I'm going to return it to Microcenter, maybe trade it in for an actual name-brand SD card.
- In the meantime, I had a 2GB mircoSD class 4 sitting in the bottom of my "wires & batteries" drawer just collecting dust. Turns out it works just fine with my RPi, though I'm only left with a few hundred MB of free space on the OS. Time will tell if that's enough...
- Got a USB to micro-USB cord (3-ft., $10) that--when paired with a spare iPhone charger--works just fine to power the unit.
- After a bit of reading, I think I'll give Raspbmc a try (as opposed to Xian or OpenELEC) because it maintains a relatively standard Debian base that will allow me to still use the RPi for other functions (NAS, iTunes server, backup scripts, etc.).
