Craving speed? Announcing Amahi 7, faster, more polished

Craving speed for your home server gear? Today we’re very happy to announce the availability of Amahi 7!

This has been a much anticipated (and delayed) release, in part because we re-implemented virtually the whole platform to use up-to-date technologies. It’s also our biggest release ever.

Want the goods? Click on the image to get started. For some juicy goodies/extras, keep on reading at the bottom.

Here are some new features in this release:

  • Express DVD “headless” install, with a built-in streamlined installer. On modern systems the install can take less than 7 minutes
  •  Faster, more polished dashboard thanks to more efficient modular code for reduced size and increased speed
  • One-click option to enable/disable each of the DNS and DHCP servers separately
  • Support for vertical-tabbed themes
  • Much improved HDA search, to locate your files more easily
  • One-click permission “repairing” for all files in a share

Pro features for advanced users and developers:

  • Developer-friendly advanced settings to easily use RSA keys for password-less access (via SSH). Use your system like a pro.
  • New plugin system, where plugins can be very easily developed. We’re very excited about this one!
  • Increased transmission speeds to our  Amahi Sync service.  Sync your files faster!
  • When a user is made admin, that user also becomes sudo-capable at the system level
  • Toggling of disk temperature readout between degrees Centigrade and Fahrenheit
  • One-click selection of the upstream DNS servers to OpenDNS, Google DNS or custom
  • Easily change the DHCP lease time
  • Easily change the gateway IP address

Here is some new technology packed in the release:

  • Switch to a much smaller footprint DHCP/DNS server (called dnsmasq)
  • Samba 4.0, the latest in stability and most compatible file sharing support
  • Use Ruby 2.0, which is substantially faster than the previous version of Ruby we used in Amahi 6
  • Based on Fedora 19, with support for the latest hardware (incl. EFI systems)
  • Recent Linux 3.10 kernel, efficient, mean and lean with and support for systems with low memory
  • Using a recent stable yet fast and mature version of Ruby on Rails with the delightful Slim template engine
  • Recent Greyhole release (0.9.31), with improved stability and performance (not integrated yet, see FAQ’s below)

This release has been possible through the effort of many users in the community, who patiently helped test various aspects of the platform, helped with apps, packaging the release, etc. Special kudos go to @bigfoot65 (Rod, our testmaster), @inquam (Daniel), @northridgegrp (Ken), @repat (Pat), @slm4996 (Solomon), @stgfoo, @mattman, @effem, @dnfalk, @totss and a few others! Thanks for your dedication and patience!

We hope you enjoy it, go download it now!

To celebrate the release, we have prepared some goodies!

  • A brand new videos area we unveil today with some screencasts to help in installing and using Amahi. Enjoy them! We hope to develop more soon
  • In that area, a screencast with an Amahi 7 install overview video. Thanks to @cmfisher for getting us started is this direction!
  • A 10% discount on the Amahi Shop, discount code AMAHI7
  • A nice printable disc cover for the Express disc!
  • A bunch of frequently asked questions for Amahi 7 just below

Enjoy and share!

The Amahi Team

FAQs about Amahi 7

  • Is there an upgrade path from Amahi 6 (on Ubuntu 12.04) to Amahi 7 (on Fedora 19)? Unfortunately there is no upgrade path at the moment. Not only the OS has changed, the whole Amahi platform has been re-done. We always go for stability. If your system is running reliably (as it should), there is no urgent need to upgrade. If you really want to run the newest, the best way is to cleanly take your data drives out, reinstall and add the data drives back in
  • Are there apps available? Yes, a few, but we’re verifying them for Amahi 7 as fast as we can
  • Will I be able to install the apps that I purchased before from the Amahi app store? Yes, assuming they are available (see above)
  • This is an Express Disc headless install (without desktop). Will there be a desktop install method for Amahi 7? Probably. We did not get to it yet, but if you want to try it, these instructions will probably work. When we do, we will announce it and also document it in the docs site. We
  • Is Greyhole storage pooling available? Not yet, but we expect to have it running shortly. In the mean time, the Greyhole package is available and you can install Greyhole by hand.
  • Will Amahi 7 be available for ARM? We expect Amahi to be available for certain ARM platforms in the future. We’re looking for developers for this release. Join the mailing list, stop by the IRC channel and get involved if you are interested!
  • Wait, are you abandoning Ubuntu? No. We plan to support the next Ubuntu LTS (Long-term Release) when it comes out unless something unforeseen or some needed features in the system are missing.

 

Apps gone LIVE! (Part 2)

In this second part of app releases we bring you a set of exciting and popular apps that we hope you like!

Roundcube, a mail client, MyIT CRM, great for computer repair shops, Wiki Web Help, and last, phpPoker, to get you in shap for that trip to Las Vegas!

Enjoy!

Amahi Team!

Roundcube webmail is a browser-based multilingual IMAP client with an application-like user interface. It provides full functionality you expect from an e-mail client, including MIME support, address book, folder manipulation, message searching and spell checking.

Features:

  • Available in 67 languages
  • Drag-&-drop message management
  • Full support for MIME and HTML messages
  • Sophisticated privacy protection
  • Compose messages with attachments
  • Multiple sender identities
  • Address book with groups and LDAP connectors
  • Find-as-you-type address book integration
  • Richtext/HTML message composing
  • Forwarding messages with attachments
  • Searching messages and contacts
  • Threaded message listing
  • IDNA support
  • Spell checking
  • IMAP folder management
  • Shared/global IMAP folders
  • Support for external SMTP server
  • Built-in caching for fast mailbox access
  • Unlimited users and messages
  • Template system for custom skins
  • Plug-in API for flexible exensions

Wiki Web HelpWiki Web Help is a Help application that is editable by the community. Standard wiki systems are great for many applications, but a Help application and a Wiki are an ideal marriage. The problem with the standard wiki as a Help application is that the information is scattered around and does not have the smooth flow that we have with a desktop chm type viewer. This project aims to return that smooth flow to your wiki based Help application.

Features:

  • Edit pages quickly with wiki syntax
  • History- Log comments with your changes, Records IP addresses, Diff view, Full view of previous revision, Revert to revision
  • User Interface – Dual pane with splitter, Tagging of topics for index creation, Manage contents(tree), Search with highlight, Preview of edit before saving, Image uploads for inclusion in pages, Quick reference “cheat sheet” while editing
  • Administration – IP address blocking, Page locking
  • Misc – User registration and profile management, Subscribe to notifications of changes, Lightweight and efficient AJAX based operation

MyIT CRMMyIT CRM is designed mainly for Computer Repair Shops.This project has Invoicing, Work Order management,Customers Details,Payment processing (Paypal, Authorize.net, etc),Job Scheduling and Calendar,PDF Invoices and lots more. Ported from Cite CRM.

Features:

  • Multiple Employee logins and types. – Admin, Manager, Supervisor and Technician.
  • Works Order system – Employees can create works orders for clients that can be printed out to brought along to service area. ( Create, assign,comment, action,close)
  • Client Information – All types of information is stored for each client including Name, Address, Phone Numbers, Email and also special notes. eg is only home after 5:30pm or Has a little dog that bites!
  • Invoicing – Printable invoices in HTML or PDF which can be printed out either before or after the job is completed and also be able to save the pdf invoice for filing purposes.
  • Billing – Billing a client can be done through Cheques/Money Orders, Direct deposit or Paypal system. These can/are printed out on the invoices for the clients ease/preferred payment methods. These payments are also entered in the system after payment is received to help keep track of outstanding invoices.
  • Calender/Schedule – Each Works Order can be scheduled on an employee’s calendar. This helps manage time and jobs for the employee and prevents doubling up on available time slots.
  • Individual Rates/Parts – Invoice rates and parts can be uploaded into the database via csv file and can be easily maintained by System Admins/Managers.
  • Backup – Backup of the database can be done via a cron job or ran manually. Restoring the database is just as easy as backing it up!
  • And many more

phpPokerphpPoker is a five-card Single Player Poker Game in PHP. Enjoy!

Girls gone … wait … Apps gone LIVE!

This past week our App Master has made an effort of testing more apps that are ready for release and the team has unleashed several new and highly sought after Apps for Amahi 6 on the latest Ubuntu 12.04 LTS (as well as on Fedora 14). Here is part 1 of that list!

These range from big apps like Plex to nifty little apps that help at home and even more.

We hope you will enjoy now and stay tuned for more app releases soon.

The Amahi Team
PS: there is an Amahi 7 alpha 4 release that we would like you to test!

Plex Media ServerPlex Media Server seamlessly connects your Plex clients with all of your local and online media. The combination of centralized library management, streaming of online content, and powerful transcoding functionality provides an unrivaled level of flexibility and ease of use.

Please note that this application can take some time to download.

Plex Media Manager

  • Effortlessly organize your media into a versatile library with multiple sections.
  • Web-based for easy access from anywhere.
  • Automatically retrieve metadata from the Internet.
  • Complete customization of your library with a few clicks.

Plex Media Server runs on your HDA and serves your media to all of your Plex clients including:

… and more

Plex Media Server can co-exist with other media servers and media sharing services making it ideal for adding yet another dimension to your media sharing by enabling unique features that your Plex enabled clients can take advantage of.


SubsonicSubsonic is a web-based media streamer, providing ubiquitous access to your music. Use it to share your music with friends, or to listen to your own music while at work. You can stream to multiple players simultaneously, for instance to one player in your kitchen and another in your living room.

Subsonic is designed to handle very large music collections (hundreds of gigabytes). Although optimized for MP3 streaming, it works for any audio or video format that can stream over HTTP, for instance AAC and OGG. By using transcoder plug-ins, Subsonic supports on-the-fly conversion and streaming of virtually any audio format, including WMA, FLAC, APE, Musepack, WavPack and Shorten.

If you have constrained bandwidth, you may set an upper limit for the bitrate of the music streams. Subsonic will then automatically resample the music to a suitable bitrate.

In addition to being a streaming media server, Subsonic works very well as a local jukebox. The intuitive web interface, as well as search and index facilities, are optimized for efficient browsing through large media libraries. Subsonic also comes with an integrated Podcast receiver, with many of the same features as you find in iTunes.

Based on Java technology, Subsonic runs on most platforms, including Windows, Mac, Linux and Unix variants.


PiwikPiwik is a downloadable, open source (GPL licensed) web analytics software package. It provides detailed reports on your website and its visitors, including the search engines and keywords they used, the language they speak, which pages they like, the files they download and so much more. Piwik aims to be an open source alternative to Google Analytics.Piwik is the leading open source web analytics software. However, there are dozens of other free and paid web analytics solutions; why choose Piwik?

One of the principle advantages of Piwik is that you are in control. Unlike remote-hosted services (like Google Analytics), you host Piwik on your own server. The installation process is very simple, and Piwik is just as simple to use and understand.

All the program’s features are built as plugins, which means you can easily add new plugins built by the community to customize your own Piwik installation. If you have specific needs then you can build a plugin that processes data in a different way.

Piwik is installed on your server, which gives you full control over your data. You can access the data easily via the Piwik API. Advanced users can also run manual queries on the database in order to build advanced reports.

Because you own your data, you don’t make it available to third-party companies which might reuse this data for other purposes.


todoyutodoyu is a web-based system for project management, time tracking, and billing specifically tailored to the needs of small-to-medium sized service agencies (e.g. lawyers, engineers and architects, services, advertising and PR agencies). It improves billing accuracy and timeliness, saving companies time and money, and removing risk from the billing process. A todoyu customer’s clients get visibility into the project work done on their behalf, improving customer relations.

Key features of the todoyu project management software:

  • Projects and tasks: manage multiple projects in one instance, keep track of your deadlines, assign responsibilities to your team members
  • Project management: always know what is happening and will happen in your projects, control deadlines, make sure you deliver on-time.
  • Track time on a task base. With the billing module you can directly send out invoices based on your timesheets.
  • Report: Create powerful reports based on your projects, tracked time, bills, working types and many more. All calculations are done in real time. There is no easier way to keep track of your daily work!
  • Calendar: share dates for meetings, reminders, milestones, birthdays and many more. The calendar module reminds you by email or by a simple popup.
  • Manage your contacts: persons and companies.
  • Communicate with your customers with the help of the powerful commenting system.
  • Share: Comments, ideas, files, contacts and much more.
  • Focus on the essential: Running several projects parallel? Use the powerful filter functionality to focus on the essential. todoyu helps you to easily keep track of all the different deadlines, tasks and comments.
  • Open Source, BSD license
  • Web based

New release, Amahi 6.3 … next stop, Amahi 7!

Hello!

We’re happy to announce a point release of the stable version of Amahi, 6.3!

The release notes for this release are sparse … it only has accumulated fixes for stability bugs and it adds better support for NetworkManager, making the network configuration a little more flexible and more independent of the hardware!

With that short announcement, we leave you with a nice little comic, showing that alpha release of our next stop, Amahi 7. It’s based on Fedora 18. We have released the first alpha version with a nearly complete re-implementation of the Amahi dashboard, Samba 4 and a little bit more performance for the same hardware!

Amahi Comic

 

Your desktop? On your tablet? Meet Splashtop!

Among Amahi users, there are those who like the desktop and those who prefer headless systems. Which one are you?

Splashtop clientToday we add another useful tool to the admin and remote access toolbox of Amahi’s store. We are happy to introduce the highly acclaimed Splashtop app! You may have heard of Splashtop before, it’s a hugely popular app for iOS, Android, Windows 8, Kindle and more.

Splashtop for Amahi is a “streamer” that runs on the server’s desktop and redirects audio and video to your tablet or other client device when connected to it. You can access it from inside your network or from the Web anywhere in the world.

The best part? The Anywhere Access feature makes it automatic — no need to mess with VPN or do port forwarding!

Your Amahi World at your fingertips!

Oh, and you can also install Splashtop on your other PCs or your Macs and stream from them directly also!

 

 

Splashtop can stream any videos or games from your desktop to your handheld devices. It’s the highest-performance solution available today. Splashtop delivers up to 15x higher frame rates and up to 10x less latency than any other desktop solution.

And it’s very secure. Sessions are secured with SSL and 256-bit AES encryption, allowing it to serve as a secure pipe between devices, in some cases allowing users to eliminate their need for separate VPN solutions.

If you didn’t opt for a desktop environment when you installed your Ubuntu-based Amahi HDA, this may be a reason to do so now! Splashtop is available for Ubuntu-based Amahi servers only. Splashtop is a great app to connect to it from anywhere. Go get Splashtop for Amahi!