How do I get the Ultimate Ubuntu Home System?

Good Day,

I am relatively new the Ubuntu world but I am loving it. I am a huge supporter of open source software, open access, and anything that can relate to these concepts. I am tired of paying big industry boodles of money for stuff that I cannot even really do what I want. So, this is my question(s).

How do I create the ultimate Ubuntu home system? Maybe open source would be a better use as I am new to this area, there might be something better for this than Ubuntu. Let me explain what it is that I want to do. Please remember that although I am new to this area, I am a do-it your self kind of person, so a lot of work to get what I want doesn't bother me.

I want a sweet customizable entertainment system. I see there are things out there like MythTV for recording shows. I want to be able to do that, but I also want to be able to access an external hard drive that has digital movies on it, music, photos, and who knows what else. I want to be able to watch internet tv shows and YouTube without the stupid blocks that come on Google TV and Xbox where it won't let you watch some videos. I want it to be networked with other devices in my house and have a home server storing all of this information in one spot so it accessible even without an internet connection. If I can get it to work with lighting and other electronics that would be great.

Perhaps there are some other things out there that I am not even aware of...as I said, I'm new. I have a LAMP server running on my laptop locally and it was pretty easy to set up. I am working on numerous open source softwares that require that server so I am somewhat familiar with it.

I am really looking for a cool do it all kind of system that runs through out the whole house, has central storage, and customizable interfaces for each specific job. I hope I am making myself understood. Please feel free to ask any questions and I look forward to reading your posts! Thanks!