Apache HTTP download client and proxy server
An old computer these days is no longer a completely useless system. In fact, although it could upgrade my main computer every couple of years, usually take ten to fifteen years ago to completely suppress my home network and send it to large LAN in the sky!
These are the uses of 1012, I found that more than "computer system experience"!
And once you have read the article interesting project and decided that he wants to do, make sure you let us know by voting in the poll!
Firewall / Router
This was the first use I had for a new computer. I grabbed an old 286, installed a couple of network cards, and the latest version of FREESCO and suddenly every computer in my house had Internet access without having to keep my main system that is directed or without having to buy an expensive (in time) dedicated router / firewall device.
Not to mention that I learned a ton about Linux through this process!
Here is a list of some Linux distributions and tools they can use to create a firewall / router for your home:
* FREESCO
* IPCOP
* Smoothwall
* Firestarter
* Coyote Linux Personal Firewall
* Shorewall / coast
* Mason
* Vyatta
* Floppyfw
* FireHOL
* Guarddog
* Turtle
* M0n0wall
* Endian
* PfSense
* LutelWall
* Zorp
* ClarkConnect
* Devil Linux
* Sinux
* Kaladix
* SafeSquid
File server
If you've been in the Cup Daily Tech before you know that my love for FreeNAS. With an old computer and a couple of hours of effort, you can have a nifty little file server available on the web.
There are other ways you can create a file server than FreeNAS. Here are some that I found:
* FreeNAS
* Samba
* IFolder
* NASLite
* Openfiler
* CryptoBox
Print Server
My wife and I share a printer that used to be hosted on your computer. It was a real pain when your computer goes into sleep mode or turn it off and I lose the ability to print. I was able to turn an old computer into a print server that is running and can now print regardless of the status of my wife's computer.
Nicholas Fong has a great tutorial on how to define them.
Fax Gateway
Yes, I know. Faxing is so 1985. But many people and businesses still rely on this technology to keep your business running. With a little effort and some old computer hardware, you can configure a HylaFAX server to manage and control all incoming and outgoing faxes. In addition, you could save some trees because you are using less paper.
Web / FTP Server
With the advent of LAMP server installations, which is relatively trivial for someone to create a web server. This gives you the ability to create their own web sites at home before distribution to the world or simply be used as an intranet site to keep your busy family in touch.
Here are some tutorials on setting up a web server:
* Configuration a local web server on Debian Linux
* The Apache web server
* Ubuntu 7.04 (Feisty Fawn) Setup LAMP server
* Quick Linux Server
SSH / SCP server
SSH and SCP will provide a lot of very powerful abilities that can remotely access your network and copy files securely. One of the best ways is to create a FreeNAS box, enable SSH and then connect to it using an SCP client such as WinSCP to transfer files or PuTTY for accessing your network.
Anti-Spam Server
Everyone hates spam. So you use your old computer to get rid of it! Using SpamAssassin on a Linux machine, you can reduce the frequency of incoming spam. I have also found a very good tutorial on the subject (Sorry, I had to use the Google cache.).
Proxy Server
Most users have the same web pages they visit regularly. Each time you go to these websites, they need to go to download all the files again. While this is not a terribly big issue if you have a lot of bandwidth and not being used much, can become a problem if you are a high bandwidth users.
Can also be used to filter content unwanted.
Here are some tutorials on setting up a proxy server:
* Setting up a transparent proxy with Squid in three simple steps
* Minimum Linux Proxy
* 3proxy
Thin Client
I always thought that the next time I decide to upgrade all computers to all my family at home, instead of updating each system, buy a server, rather stocky with lots of RAM and then create computers virtual for everyone. Then I could use the original hardware and Thinstation to give access to your virtual machine again!
You may also want to check AnywhereTS out to help with setup.
Voice Mail Server
For me, voice mail has always been so passive. Just a little waiting in a place until I remember to check (which could be days later.) A voice mail server would be a great tool!
A big advantage would be the possibility to have my voice mail by email to me. Another would be the ability to check my computer. VOCP System provides me with all the skills and much more!
Media Server
More people are going out of your CD and DVD players and the game for MP3 files and AVI. A media server is a great way use that box of old.
Here are some resources to get you rock!
About the Author
http://reviews-mann.blogspot.com/2010/02/medal-of-honor-airborne-pc.html
http://twitter.com/lizareckon
http://www.google.com/profiles/mannzunty
Changing the proxy in Ubuntu
