biggeorge

I have several PCs here that have no particular use.

The most highly specc'd machine is a P4/2.4ghz 1.5gig ram, 80gig drive, etc. Standard kit..

I would like to put this machine to some use. I have 2 day to day computers, a desktop machine that does my torrenting and a laptop for lounge surfing, so I don't need another computer.

By putting it to good use, I am not talking about protein folding crap, or anything like this.
I already have a MAME arcade machine.

I would like to make it do something useful, such as earn a $, or perhaps use it to do something constructive.
I really don't know.

I am open to suggestions, so please fire away.

Another machine I have is an iMac G3, but I don't really expect great things of that one.

Jalorathis

Sell it?

Or even turn it into a web server and rent the space out to your mates for a case of beer a month or something like that.

Jalorathis

Sanity

Donate it to someone who cant afford one.

acejas

I think Sanitys idea is great. I often have bits and pieces and old pc's and donate to people...makes their day and will come back to you 10 fold

urban_s0ulja

hmm not a whole lot of money making features out of that pc mate....

dont run any webhosting on it, youll end up providing a service like JSN Hosting LOL...

keep it as a spare, sell it, sell it for cheap(donation), or just donate it.

or maybe you could use it as a file server/torrent server/ftp server

cant think of anything that'd bring you in any substantial amount of money, if i could id be rich

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biggeorge

Hehehe, Urban that's so funny because it's true.

I've been tempted by that offer of his, but then I saw the responses on austech, and then I saw them deleted and I wonder why it needs to be hidden.

I have 2 domain names at the moment, static IP address, so I am thinking I might set up a server just for my own use, except I don't have a friggn clue how to do it.


As for donating computers to people who need them, I have done this in the past. Usually they end up as a graduation gift to somebody at the Salvos rehab centre. Quite often these guys have come from a life of crime and drugs, and the only way to stay out of jail is to agree to go to rehab, some people actually benefit from it and turn their life around and need a PC to type up resumes, look for jobs online, etc..

So, yes... but a fast computer like this is not the thing for a learner, they are likely to crash it and kill themselves..
Usually something <2ghz is more suitable for high powered 1-finger typing.

It'd be nice to get this computer doing something all day that's constructive.

RHCP

Grab IPcop, Smoothwall, Clarkconnect etc and use the box as a router/firewall and QOS load balancer - great it you have an IP phone, or don't want your torrents to lag your gaming/browsing.

Or

Load ubuntu and run it as a file server.

Cheers, RHCP.

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PhillTheQuad

put it outside
take heatsink off, set bios at 1000fsb
run ps switch 10 feet away
see if u can blow a hole in the table
post pics

nomeat

What do you need a spare computer for...? That's a good one

You can give it to me.
I have only got 5 PCs and several old Laptops and one is surely going to die soon.

They are logging data from A/D converters, producing music and emulating synthesisers, emulating electronic circuit designs, programming PICs and burning Eproms, testing different OS, running vintage DOS applications, being redesigned to run for many hours on AA batteries so they can log data in remote areas, picking up atmospheric signals from concave metal dishes, detecting infra waves, controlling the brewing temperature, block controlling model trains, entertaining and educating the kids and then all the usual multimedia crap and even a couple are connected to the Internet but only with Linux of course
... and then being shut down (for a few minutes) because the missus is screaming: "Why am I always on the computer!"

PunX0r

I would set it up as a file server, would be perfect to be put in a cupboard somewhere and left running as a headless system.

DND

Make a HTPC out of it

rob916

Totally off topic.
I have some dance music playing here and you should see your avatar go off to it.
Funny as f***

biggeorge

nomeat. Now we're talking....

Some of those things have come to mind already, lots haven't.

I like the brewing controller idea, I was actually thinking along the lines of a sophisticated thermostat for a reflux still head I haven't built yet.

Another project I have in mind is to use it as a PWM controller / 3 phase square wave generator (look up Bob Boyce if you want to know more) to run an electrolysis cell, monitor temperature, control gas production, lawnmower tachometer, etc... Basically a complete ECU to run a simple engine on hydrogen on demand.

All of which requires more money to do. The computer is the cheapest part.

Server idea is looking good, but I fail to see the point of running a 400w computer 24/7 to serve files to me when I only want them once or twice a month.

ocd_csv

With the server option you can expand that by having WOL and SOL. Then it will only be on once or twice a month.

Perhaps even use the suspend to ram options/hybernate modes to have a fast boot machine.

perhaps then add some remote control of the unit. so using a remote like a VCR you can turn unit on/standby/off.
then install the whole thing into a old VCR case.

Of course if you do this make sure you blog it.

pedro99

try approaching your local salvo's they always can do with help.

PhillTheQuad

just do it
Exploding Overclocking Extreme AMD Duron Vaporizing

Exploding Overclocking Extreme Intel P4 Vaporizing

Krueger

I have a 2.4gig P4 box setup as headless as a leechbox, which also downloads my torrents. Use VNC to access it over the network, or from work. I had MSN running on it too, and used to send torrents from work, before I installed a browser.

There are heaps of good uses for it, many which have been suggested.

seacod

n1. I've been trying to think of ways to get msn going at work!

Ewok

1. Buy 2 x 500 gig hard drives and turn it into a private ftp/fileserver.
2. Find someone who needs a simple pc for checking their emails and browsing the net, then give it to them.

Sanity

If people wont bother to use the iTrader feedback system to alert others to potential problems and then want to complain , their posts will get deleted every time.

Nothing needs to be " hidden " , members need to do what they know quite well they are meant to do before complaining.