What to do with a second PC

[aht]

So here's the situation...

I've been running Windows 98SE (yes I know) on my PC 'til yesterday. I bought a new Dell and now I'm finally running XP. My profession is in the field of IT so I'd like to experiment and play around with a few things. I've been so out of it. Anyways, last night I build an FTP server and it worked! My first time doing it so it was very rewarding. But now what? I'm running out of ideas.

What's the functionality of your second PC? Any suggestions?

 

[S0Y73NTGR33N]

Overclock your chip to 5 jabillion MHZ and pull off the heatsink... it explodes... mwahahaa

-green

 

[JPMNICK]

Make it a linux box. You can learn to do everything from programming to configuring routers and networking tables. Its free, fun, and there is a ton of resources out there to use.

 

[Scurvy]

Build a MAME arcade cabinet. Then play Galaxian a lot.

 

[corkyg]

Lots of things you can do. I have three in my computer room - and that lets me play with a network and keep up to date in that technology. My #2 system is basically a backup of #1, and is available for our kids when they come visit - as well as the grandkids. I also use it for teaching selected students. The 3rd one goes where I go - my laptop, and my digital darkroom.

 

[meltdown75]

Originally posted by: Scurvy
Build a MAME arcade cabinet. Then play Galaxian a lot.

:thumbsup: This is an awesome project to work on. A friend of a friend has completed his and apparently it kicks ass. I noticed Chapter's even has books on the subject now. I might start one in the spring once it warms up a bit so I can work on it in the garage.

The question is: What NOT to use your old PC for? That's the great thing about it. They're only limited by age/speed. Very fun to toy around with - this is where modding gets really fun - when you could care less if the components begin to smoke

 

[aht]

Originally posted by: JPMNICK
Make it a linux box. You can learn to do everything from programming to configuring routers and networking tables. Its free, fun, and there is a ton of resources out there to use.

I think I'll do just that. Thanks for the input everyone.

 

[Markfw]

Make it a distributed computing box, and help cure cancer. Team Anandtech F@H needs you !!!!! I have 17 doing it !

 

[HeroOfPellinor]

My extra box = HTPC.

 

[aht]

Please excuse my ignorance, but what's HTPC? And what do you mean by distributed computing box? Sorry, I'm stupid.

 

[Mik3y]

Originally posted by: aht
Please excuse my ignorance, but what's HTPC? And what do you mean by distributed computing box? Sorry, I'm stupid.

htpc stands for home theater personal computer. with the right equipment, anyone can turn their computer into a multimedia system, such as a free tivo, gaming rig, and etc.

as for distributed computing box, it is where you connect to a network of computers which have the intent of doing somehting (like scientific studies). you basically share some of your free cpu bandwidth and together, this network functions like a super computer. this allows for extremely long calculations to be processed sooner and etc.

 

[Jeffyboy]

Set up an SQL server and learn SQL..if u don't know it already

Jeff

 

[nvbtye]

ahkveg

 

[aht]

I see...HTPC...sounds like an awesome thing to do...can someone direct me to a how to thread on HTPC? Please?

 

[nvbtye]

ntoaix

 

[bradley]

Make it into a dedicated firewall.

http://www.smoothwall.org/

 

[stevty2889]

My main rig is for gaming and general use, use the second for my HTPC and mostly only watch recorded tv shows and burn dvd's with it. 3rd PC is sitting in the corner lonely with nothing to do.

 

[Oyeve]

I do nothing with my extra PCs, I have about 5 extras, all P4s too. I should probably give em to some charity or something.

 

[FrustratedUser]

Originally posted by: aht
So here's the situation...

I've been running Windows 98SE (yes I know) on my PC 'til yesterday. I bought a new Dell and now I'm finally running XP. My profession is in the field of IT so I'd like to experiment and play around with a few things. I've been so out of it. Anyways, last night I build an FTP server and it worked! My first time doing it so it was very rewarding. But now what? I'm running out of ideas.

What's the functionality of your second PC? Any suggestions?

Web server to play around with, Media PC, Linux playground, use the machine to download and install interesting software without ruining your main rig......

 

[Night Blade]

1st Mine - Games/General use/Work
2nd Wife's - Server/Games/General use/Work
3rd HTPC
4th Daughters being built right now - educational purposes, some backup
5th Laptop - not much use, mostly used for portable browsing

 

[daniel49]

2nd and 3rd comps are all networked with my main comp which keeps my head into the world of networking systems. It is a very easy way to backup and reclaim data.

But most of all those older machines are great as a way to keep the wife and kids from messing up my machine....muhahahah

 

[PhlashFoto]

Originally posted by: Oyeve
I do nothing with my extra PCs, I have about 5 extras, all P4s too. I should probably give em to some charity or something.

Can I be a charity to one or two of those boxes?

 

[Oyeve]

Originally posted by: ELopes580

Originally posted by: Oyeve
I do nothing with my extra PCs, I have about 5 extras, all P4s too. I should probably give em to some charity or something.

Can I be a charity to one or two of those boxes?

HAHAHAHA~NO!

 

[JackMDS]

IT ideas.:thumbsup:

You can try giving it an Interent address so you can access it from the Internet.
Link to: Connecting through the Internet to a private Network. Or How can I find A Computer/Server on this "Huge" Internet World?

You can excecise remote control: Ultr@VNC (Remote Control for your Network/Interent) - Installation, and Settings

You can install IIS (or any other HTTP server) and try WebSite ideas.

:sun:

 

[0roo0roo]

shared file/print server. tahts all its good for really...use too much power compared to a cheap router these days.