Installing Linux for a HTPC
Picking a Linux distribution
There are over 200 hundred Linux Distributions to choose from. I recommend using whichever distributions you are most comfortable with. I personally use Debian as it is easy to maintain and install extra software, once the system is installed (But it is not the easiest distributions to install).
There is a MythTV Distribution called KnoppMyth that is based on Knoppix, which is based on Debian. Once you complete the install for this distribution the system reboots and you are presented with a working copy of MythTV. All you have to do then is configure it for your media hardware. I highly recommend this if you do not have your mind made up yet.
If you are not familiar with Linux and want to use the system for more than a HTPC, I recommend Suse because it's very user friendly and a good distribution to learn Linux with. For any Linux system, if you ever get stuck or have problems, run to Google. Just type in something like, "Linux how-to tv tuner" or "linux problem raid error 10023" and you'll almost always find someone who has had the same problem and several people who have replied with how to fix it.
It is always possible to get a free Linux Distribution. Almost all major distribution companies have a free version of their Linux OS. Often you need to download 700MB of data and burn it to a CD in order to install them. Linux ISO's can be downloaded from LinuxISO.org. You can also buy a free Linux CD that is mostly just shipping that you pay for. Virtual Sky and Cheap Bytes are to places that ship free Linux distributions. I do recommend that if you are new to Linux to find someone that will give you advice on what to get and hopefully offer to help you install Linux if it is your first time.
There are many LUG's (Linux User Groups) around the world that will offer Linux help for free. Linux.org/groups has a listing of most LUG's and information on how to become involved with them. Many LUG's meet once a month and are a great place to learn about Linux and get help or provide help to others. LUG's are completely free and are typically not-for-profit organizations.
Installing the Linux HTPC distributions
Right now KnoppMyth is the only Linux HTPC distribution that I know of. I will simply redirect you to mysettopbox.tv/knoppmyth for more information this so information is updated as KnoppMyth progresses.
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