Where to start?

["Mark Golledge" <markgolledge@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

Hi,

I need some advice in terms of 'starting out'. I've been renting for the
past two years and are just about to move into a new house (yippee)

There's lots of things I've been reading about here about automation but
being a complete 'newbie' I'm not sure where to start.

There's two projects that I want to get sorted as soon as possible when
we've moved in and then hopefully see things grow from there. At the moment
I've got two computers both running standard Windows XP. I'm considering
moving one of them over to Linux (when I've done some research on it) and
using that as the core for the house.

Obviously if I need to setup the operating system first and then have
everything run off that then I will do that.

1. I want to look at the multimedia element (music/tv in particular). At
the
moment I've got the Creative Wireless Music streaming into the living room
but I'm not impressed with it and would like your thoughts on how to
develop
this. All music is mp3 on core computer. At the moment we're not on digital
but I am looking at available digiboxes.

2. The house has got an outbuilding which I want to be CCTV controlled for
security purposes. Can anyone point me in the direction of where to start
reading on this.

I'm a complete newbie so some basic direction would be much appreciated. I
guess one good thing is I'm keen but I am operating on a tight budget!!

Thanks!

Mark