linuxmcestore comming soon. Now Open

[tkmedia]

linuxmcestore comming soon.  I will be setting up an online store catering to linuxmce soon (ala mythtv store) what would you like to see there.

Does anyone have any issues of me calling it linuxmcestore.com



All input welcome.



Tim

http://lmcecompatible.com/

[rrambo]

What all will you be selling??  Pre-configured systems??  I think there is a need for an online store selling hardware known to work and ready to go with lmce..  Also parts and accessories that are compatible...  capture cards..  remotes... etc...  of course, people like me will always want to find the cheapest price and build it ourselves...  unless your prices are very competitive....  I would be willing to spend a little extra for a pre-configured system, but not much more...  like the fiire products..  the first thing most of us here do is go out and try to find the same parts to build it ourselves on the cheap..

[tkmedia]

It has come to my attention that the name may be in conflict. And do not want to imply that it the store is officially endorsed by linuxmce, only that the products have been tested or are known to work with linuxmce.

So in addition to suggested products it looks like a name is needed as well.

[rrambo]

linuxmediacenter.com
linuxhtpc.com
linuxmediacentersolutions.com

[colinjones]

I'd like to see it offer reasonable world-wide shipping, not just limited to N.A or EU - possible?

[tkmedia]

I'd like to see it offer reasonable world-wide shipping, not just limited to N.A or EU - possible?

Not sure if reasonable and world wide fit well together as well as customs issues, lot more complicated. Will be just shipping in the USA to start but will review based on level of success.

Going to be tricky giving us techies the prices we demand and be able to keep the doors open.

[hmthom02]

I think it would be a great idea to provide products known to work well with Linuxmce.
Just like fast food.  You buy from someone who provides known quality. Yes you can make
a better burger at home, but you gain some convenience.  I would prefer to buy a  video card
that works out of the box. My time shopping and retuning items that are great but will have to
sit on the shelf until the driver bandwagon catches up my video card.
Same thing with home automation x10, yes I want to play with the stuff but I want a place to
pick up some items and try them and come back and buy some more later maybe an IP  web camera.

[tkmedia]

What all will you be selling??  Pre-configured systems??  I think there is a need for an online store selling hardware known to work and ready to go with lmce..  Also parts and accessories that are compatible...  capture cards..  remotes... etc...  of course, people like me will always want to find the cheapest price and build it ourselves...  unless your prices are very competitive....  I would be willing to spend a little extra for a pre-configured system, but not much more...  like the fiire products..  the first thing most of us here do is go out and try to find the same parts to build it ourselves on the cheap..

Yes to pretty much all above,  I will try to price most things within 5$ to 10$ of the going rate.

I will also feature products that offer power savings.

In addition I am thinking "Starter Kits"
That would include

1. Hybrid/core
2. MC/Remote
3. Gigabit switch
4. Patch cords
5. MD


Any other suggestions for starter kit?

[junior1]

How about offering Tech support for things that you sell and putting together custom systems (HTPC) based off of customers needs along with pre-installed LMCE. 

I am just getting interested in LMCE, on the surface its a great piece of software, but it takes alot of work and knowledge.  I am building a new home and trying to plan my entire home around my (very limited) knowledge of LMCE and what exactly it can do and what exactly it can support in my home automation needs.  I know what I want in my new home, ie: a Media Center, Security cameras, door/windows sensors, Lighting and window treatment control, Doorbell phone, access and control to all my systems via internet, but Im not sure if LMCE supports everything that I want and if it does, which items Is should buy that are proven compatible with LMCE.  Everyone tells me to read, so I am reading, but I feel like I am getting behind the progress of my home.  Being an Airline Pilot and on the road for weeks at a time, having three small children under the age of 5 and trying to oversee the building  of my new home unfortunately doesnt leave me with as much time to read about LMCE as I want. 

I would be more open to contacting a person like you (or anyone else for that matter) who knows the LMCE systems, who can act in an adviser capacity and advise me on the things that I should be looking at to prepare my home as a "Smart Home" working in concert with LMCE.  I want to build a HTPC, and will but getting the right stuff for the HTPC if important, Your company could advise people like me on what to buy and allow us to build our own or I could let you know what my needs are and you build my HTPC for me and pre install LMCE for me.  Either way, its a win wins for each of us.  The key is being cost conscious and providing support after the sale.

This is just a newbies perspective on things based off of my needs. 

Looking forward to the new LMCE store opening soon...

Junior
jhill1023@gmail.com

[tkmedia]

1st step is going to be for the DIY crowd, but I do intend on starting a sister company offering full service and support catering to the Do nothing yourself crowd and offer support. The pricing is going to reflect it as well. I think the product needs a little more maturing to be able  to satisfy that crowd.

[totallymaxed]

How about offering Tech support for things that you sell and putting together custom systems (HTPC) based off of customers needs along with pre-installed LMCE. 

I am just getting interested in LMCE, on the surface its a great piece of software, but it takes alot of work and knowledge.  I am building a new home and trying to plan my entire home around my (very limited) knowledge of LMCE and what exactly it can do and what exactly it can support in my home automation needs.  I know what I want in my new home, ie: a Media Center, Security cameras, door/windows sensors, Lighting and window treatment control, Doorbell phone, access and control to all my systems via internet, but Im not sure if LMCE supports everything that I want and if it does, which items Is should buy that are proven compatible with LMCE.  Everyone tells me to read, so I am reading, but I feel like I am getting behind the progress of my home.  Being an Airline Pilot and on the road for weeks at a time, having three small children under the age of 5 and trying to oversee the building  of my new home unfortunately doesnt leave me with as much time to read about LMCE as I want. 

I would be more open to contacting a person like you (or anyone else for that matter) who knows the LMCE systems, who can act in an adviser capacity and advise me on the things that I should be looking at to prepare my home as a "Smart Home" working in concert with LMCE.  I want to build a HTPC, and will but getting the right stuff for the HTPC if important, Your company could advise people like me on what to buy and allow us to build our own or I could let you know what my needs are and you build my HTPC for me and pre install LMCE for me.  Either way, its a win wins for each of us.  The key is being cost conscious and providing support after the sale.

This is just a newbies perspective on things based off of my needs. 

Looking forward to the new LMCE store opening soon...

Junior
jhill1023@gmail.com

My company already does custom installations with LinuxMCE already installed, configured and working... as does Fiire in a limited way.

But I think tkmedia is trying to offer a service which delivers hardware with a low profit margin to those that are more orientated to doing things themselves. I 100% do think there is a market for that service here. If you start to offer more service then your margins have to be bigger... its getting that balance right for your target customers thats the trick.

My company for example don't target being the lowest price supplier... so we dont compete with what tkmedia is trying to do... and there will always be someone cheaper than us for the bare hardware... but if you want a working system with little or no fuss then we know we're good value ;-)

[tkmedia]

I probably will not be lowest price out there I certainly won't have the buying power of an NewEgg. Some will always shop for the lowest price, I hoping enough people will find value in what I will offer. Not planning on quiting my day job just yet.

[Amathus]

I welcome your idea. No issues with the name. I'd like to see proven and tested hardware at good prices - if you want we can also assist - as we build systems and develop software.

[tkmedia]

Thanks I will make contact at one point as things get closer.

[jgaffney]

Sounds like a good idea, but it will be tough to make work.  Like you say, tough to get the buying power of places like Newegg and many many others.   With sites like nextag and cnet comparing prices from multiple stores makes it extremely easy to find the cheapest price available if you know what you are looking for.

I would suspect your hard work to put everything together would be used by most as a place to search for known compatible parts and then search the web for them cheaper elsewhere.

A good web site of the listed products and cheapest places to buy them is all anyone would really need.