thanks for the info Murakami... I've started collecting bits and pieces and downloaded MPlayer just a few days ago from the site... guess I'll be getting it again! I plan to network the A1 to one of my A4000s or just burn cds for the meantime...
first priority will be getting a complete fully functional gg environment installed and getting the dvd/r/w drive up and operational... and it's gonna be amazing just seeing 1 gig memory in the workbench menu...