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Pluto: Linux-based Do-everything System

Posted by michael on from the house-of-whacks dept.

tazzzzz writes "Ever wanted an easy-to-configure, whole-house, internet-accessible, Linux-based VOIP PBX with video, PVR, firewall/router, security system, MP3 player, file server, personal web server, home automation (lights, thermostat) controller? I just came across the Pluto which claims to do all of this (and more, of course!). It'll set you back $15,000 if you're living in a small bachelor pad, but you didn't need that car anyway, did you?"

10 of 240 comments (clear)

  1. Security issues? by sparrow_hawk · · Score: 5, Interesting

    Hmm... as "nifty" as this might seem, I think I'd rather my firewall be separate from my mail/mp3/whatever server.

    1. Re:Security issues? by toasted_calamari · · Score: 5, Insightful

      My thoughts exactly. When I read this article the phrase "Jack of all trades, master of none" sprung to mind. I have never seen a "does everything" device that actually worked well.

      --
      Let's make a difference
    2. Re:Security issues? by MikeXpop · · Score: 5, Insightful

      No kidding. Get r00ted and there goes your TiVo, your mp3 collection, your heat, your security system! There goes your whole freaking house! No thank you.

      --
      Etiquette is etiquette. He kills his mother but he can't wear grey trousers.
    3. Re:Security issues? by nvrrobx · · Score: 5, Informative

      I happen to be a developer on this project.

      It is not just one machine. The system setup is different based on each customers needs.

      Since I don't work in sales or marketing, I can't give you a full rundown, but the product does scale based on the customers specific needs.

  2. Here we go again. by MikeXpop · · Score: 5, Funny
    Ever wanted an easy-to-configure, whole-house, internet-accessible, Linux-based VOIP PBX with video, PVR, firewall/router, security system, MP3 player, file server, personal web server, home automation (lights, thermostat) controller?
    Hey, computer? Turn up the heat and tape Miami Vice for me.

    "I'm afraid I can't do that David"

    But my name's Mike. Hey, where'd Poole go?
    --
    Etiquette is etiquette. He kills his mother but he can't wear grey trousers.
  3. This is ridiculous! by linux_user_31337 · · Score: 5, Insightful
    Why should I shell out $15,000 for something that's an order of magnitude more expensive than the sytem I've built myself?

    I built a MythTV system (using a hacked XBox as a frontend!) with a USB webcam for videoconferencing on my TV for less than $2000. It can do everything the Pluto adverises except home automation, but some X10 devices would take care of that.

    This is a perfect toy for the busy executive who loves using the latest technology but doesn't understand it -- not for us able Linux lovers on slashdot!

  4. yes.. by relrelrel · · Score: 5, Funny

    "Ever wanted an easy-to-configure, whole-house, internet-accessible, Linux-based VOIP PBX with video, PVR, firewall/router, security system, MP3 player, file server, personal web server, home automation (lights, thermostat) controller?"

    Yes, it's called Windows XP :)

    --
    --- any post that takes longer than 20 seconds to write, isn't worth writing
  5. Re:-1: Slashvertisement by tazzzzz · · Score: 5, Insightful

    As the person who posted this, I can say that I have absolutely no affiliation with the company that makes this. It seemed an appropriate topic for slashdot to me, because here's a product that incorporates doubtless dozens of open source projects into a useful, usable package. (At least, that's the idea... I don't have this system to play with...)

    This is, I assure you, not a product placement (unless the /. editors convinced this company to fork over some dough between last night when I submitted this and now when it appeared on the site.)

    Kevin

  6. Can be done WAY cheaper by jgaynor · · Score: 5, Interesting

    How about combining IPchains, MythTV and/or Freevo with MisterHouse and some X10 equipment on a commodity $300 1.5-2 Ghz machine?

  7. Why this costs $15000 by tazzzzz · · Score: 5, Informative

    I should have given some more info knowing that the site would be slashdotted...

    For that price, you get the Pluto Core, which is the Linux-based server. You get some number (unclear to me how many) of media distributors (PCs with DVD drives and network interfaces) that hook up to your TV and the Core to show video and play music. You also get "Orbiters", which are hand-held devices to which you can stream video from your security cameras and control the Pluto system.

    So, we're not talking one Linux PC. It's a whole system of stuff. I've requested more pricing info, because I'm curious how much you have to pay for the various parts. $15K is a lot of money, but this can give technically unsophisticated folks a usable "home of the future" sort of setup.

    Kevin