I agree with you in general, about simplicity, but I just have had ZERO problems with running Windows on my superior hardware. I also agree with hard wiring. We did wireless for a while, but it is much simpler, faster, and more reliable to run ethernet wires between your computers. Have tech install a switch and router and run it around the crawlspace/attic. All of this may not be needed with cloud based, but I have not used that. I run hard wires back to the "server." My system slowly evolved, and I am thankful for this ability. Now I wish I had just started with a separate computer as my "server", living securely in its own closet with the wires physically running to the switch. I have never seen a need for the added complexity of a true server, but others on the board advocate their use.
