I've done both, tsop and font-softmods, and they are both easy enough for me. I know the pros and cons of each. I want to buy a used xbox and use it for a media center/dvd player/emulator.
I just want to know who has done this, what way did you do it, and are you happy with it. any other suggestions would be great too.

PS right now I am leaning twards tsop cuz its more permanent, and I will probly open up the case anyway to replace HDD some time soon.

i prefer softmod myself cause it is easily reversible and it is hard to make mistakes.

that's not always true total ass. I know i told you that some auto installing packages are pretty n00b friendly it doesn't mean that all softmods are safe and certainly not always reversable.
I personally would just flash the tsop if you have that ability. It makes replacing the harddrive so much easier and its definately more permanent and stable

I vote for TSOP because if it's going to become an applicance, it's much less hassle (as an appliance) to boot into. I do both so I realize how much (or little) of a hassle it is.

Hopefully you have a box ver where you can bridge both points on the mainboard topside. Good luck!