Raspbmc - XBMC Linux distribution for Raspberry Pi

It is with great pleasure I announce that development has now started on Raspbmc. The distribution will bring the rock solid performance coupled with the simplicity of an auto-updating system to the new platform taking advantage of the device's ability to decode 1080p effortlessly.

Awesome!

Once again Sam, you do not fail to impress.

Awww man and I just changed these pants!

great, simply great news!

Does that mean that you already managed to put your hands on one of those little machines?

Could I request that you coordinate where possible with OpenELEC if you aren't already? Since OpenELEC is seen as the "appliance" version of XBMC, at the very least a link to Raspmc from OpenELEC will let more people know about the project.

There will be no cooperation with openELEC. We have different ideologies. Raspbmc will offer more flexibility in terms of functionality and will feature the superior method of updating incorporated into Crystalbuntu, but this will be furthered. There will also be simple UI installers, where as openELEC prefer to use tarballs.

Openelec is a great option for appliance like experience. Openelec is also known for it's fast boots and minimal resource (use XBMC plugins for OS-settings) usage and easy updating. I don't know Crystalbuntu but as I understand, it will be a stripped and optimized ubuntu distro. Is it similar to mythbuntu then? Or the new Live(XBMCBuntu)?

So the extra Crystalbuntu offers to openelec: more flexibility for the user: a full featured OS with desktop and webbrowser.

No Raspbmc is not Ubuntu based.

Big differences between openELEC. I am not going for appliance feel. I will still offer simplicity but I will offer the user power.

Crystalbuntu is better than openELEC. Openelec doesn't even work on aTV for the last couple of months. My version offers PVR, and was the first version to offer AirPlay and AirTunes before implementation in XBMC. It allows a full desktop, features 24Hz support, a streamlined machokernel (they kexec due to a design concept - they follow the same universal design for all platforms, not ideal for aTV). My implementation is, undeniably more stable and quicker to respond. There are also under the hood tricks such as CPU management, auto mounting, and hard drive standby techniques to reduce power consumption and heat output. Crystalbuntu can be installed through UI, openelec cannot.