What to use my old, but decent, desktop for?

[rubbateckie]

So my ~4-5 year old desktop:

Core 2 Duo @ 2Ghz
256MB 8600GT
4GB RAM
320GB 7200RPM drive

With a fresh install (literally 20 minutes ago!) of Windows 7 it still feels quick and wonderful to use! It is especially "fine" for simple web browsing, watching videos, etc.

No one has been using this computer, but I do not want it to go to waste - especially when it has a couple more quality years left! What can I use it for?


Thanks in advance
______
More info that could limit/help give ideas:

Sadly, I am going to college this year (I will be about 15 hour drive away) and am going to be buying a new (much more powerful and more gaming capable) laptop quite soon, and I will not be taking this desktop with me.
My family also has a "family laptop" that is a couple year old HP Pavillion dm3 with the Intel U4100 (dual core 1.3Ghz processor) which, other than for me, is pretty solid for simple web browsing and the other things my parents use it for (facebook, youtube, other basic streaming). So I want a solution that would let them use it (they are reasonably technologically educated, but it still needs simplicity) while I am gone.

 

[DSF]

If you don't have a use for it at home, places like schools or libraries could probably make great use of it.

Edit: Sorry, I missed the end part of your post, I thought the section after the horizontal line was a sig.

I guess I'm not sure what you're looking for. You say they have a computer they're happy with...what exactly are you hoping an extra computer will provide them? The only thing that comes to my mind off the top of my head is an HTPC, if they have an HDTV.

 

[AnitaPeterson]

Yeah, make it a HTPC...

If your family is already familiar with the Windows interface, then the HTPC shouldnt be all that alien to them... If not, you can try installing XMBC or some other skin/interface. You might even - gasp! - want to consider Windows 8 or Ubuntu...

 

[Remobz]

So my ~4-5 year old desktop:

Core 2 Duo @ 2Ghz
256MB 8600GT
4GB RAM
320GB 7200RPM drive

With a fresh install (literally 20 minutes ago!) of Windows 7 it still feels quick and wonderful to use! It is especially "fine" for simple web browsing, watching videos, etc.

No one has been using this computer, but I do not want it to go to waste - especially when it has a couple more quality years left! What can I use it for?


Thanks in advance
______
More info that could limit/help give ideas:

Sadly, I am going to college this year (I will be about 15 hour drive away) and am going to be buying a new (much more powerful and more gaming capable) laptop quite soon, and I will not be taking this desktop with me.
My family also has a "family laptop" that is a couple year old HP Pavillion dm3 with the Intel U4100 (dual core 1.3Ghz processor) which, other than for me, is pretty solid for simple web browsing and the other things my parents use it for (facebook, youtube, other basic streaming). So I want a solution that would let them use it (they are reasonably technologically educated, but it still needs simplicity) while I am gone.

I would donate it

 

[rubbateckie]

Is an XMBC worth it for parents that do not want to learn to use a PS3 to play Youtube videos or play videos off of an external hard drive?