Need to re-think my server project

[Agathon]

When I first had the idea to make a home media server i was reading all these guides on nas4free. I liked what I saw and at first it looked easy enough... Then I bought some stuff and set it up and followed some guides but it never worked as stated in the guides. I couldn't get it to stream videos to any devices and talking to people on forums and trying to get help became harder and harder. The whole thing kept slowly becoming more and more complex. So now I'm trying to use the parts I bought to do something else.

Here's what I have to work with:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboBundleDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.1018093
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822236343
and a 250gb hdd

I would like a home media center that can do the following:
1. Transfer files between computers in my house
2. Stream videos to my 360/ps3
3. Automatically download TV shows as soon as they're available with Usenet/Bittorent
4. Access my server from outside my local network.
5. Be on 24/7 and make changes without being physically at the terminal/pc

I'm flexible on all those points just wanted to give an idea of what I originally wanted. I guess in a nut shell, I'm asking what other software can I try that will accomplish my goals? Is there anything out there more user friendly?

Or I would be better off sticking with my current nas4free box I could sure use some help streaming. The built in fuppes dosn't work and I can't get minidlna to do anything. The guys over at the nas4free site said I needed to run it in a jail which got even more complicated.

Theses are links to my troubles over on the nas4free site. (my s/n is Rafe on that site)
http://forums.nas4free.org/viewtopic.php?f=57&t=2745
http://forums.nas4free.org/viewtopic.php?f=79&t=2749&p=14805#p14805

 

[eibgrad]

JMTC. When it comes to building a home server, I stick w/ Windows, and that's the consumers version (e.g., Win7), not Server. Why? Because that's where all the best software is, and is easiest to manage. Sure, Linux offers a free OS, even dedicated variants for specific purposes (e.g., FreeNAS), which is all well and good if you stop there. But once you need to EXTEND it, such as incorporate streaming services (Serviio, Plex, iTunes, etc.), need a TV tuner, remote access, whatever, it’s just a whole lot easier to manage it from a familiar platform. And now that “server” seamlessly integrates w/ the rest of your Windows network (it’s still a true peer).

And yes, I know and work w/ Linux a lot, so I’m not averse to using it. But this is one case, esp. for someone w/ limited experience, sticking w/ Windows seems a better choice. Now you can load up that server w/ almost anything. And if you still want/need Linux, install it as a VM (virtual machine) on Windows (e.g., Virtual Box)!