[absolutezero1287]

I have 4 older computers that I know would run most distros of Linux without a problem. However, I want to do something a bit more creative than just install X distro and tinker with it. One of them is a Dell that other than having a relatively small hard drive would actually be really nice as a LAMP server.

So other than running a LAMP server what interesting things could I do with a *NIX OS?

[leroys1000]

I have an old laptop that wouldn't play DVD's properly due
to low memory.
It has 384 MB.
I finally ran across vector linux lite,which uses icewm window
manager which is easy on memory.
Vector lite also has codecs automatically installed and allowed
me to configure the video at install where other linux vesions
didn't.

There is also this light weight version that only does medis and
uses a small partiton.
http://geexbox.org/en/index.html
This can be used as a standalone media player without having
to boot a full operating system.
It can be installed on the hard drive.

[arochester]

I have 4 older computers

what interesting things could I do with a *NIX OS?

There are people in this world who have no computers. Of course, it might be very interesting to install Linux and give the computers away...

“If you have two loaves of bread, sell one and buy a lily” Chinese Proverb

[absolutezero1287]

@arochester: Very touching, however I'm a software engineering student at a private university. I'd rather sell the PCs and be able to buy books. The One Laptop Per Child association is already making great strides in bringing computers to third world countries.

@leroys1000: I'm not really interested in making a media player but I'll look into it. Looks interesting.

[RootbeaR]

Look into making them a super computer. All four working together for more processing power. Your very own "quad core."

[arochester]

Very good! You have answered your own question.

I'd rather sell the PCs and be able to buy books.

Years ago I read a book called Notes to Myself by Hugh Prather. He wrote "If I stand in front of the refrigerator and ask myself "Do I want a drink of milk?" the answer is "No I don't". In other words if he did want a drink of milk he would just get it, and not ask himself...

If you have to ask what you should use these computers for, then, (at the moment) you have no use for them.

[absolutezero1287]

@Rootbear: that sounds a bit complex. How would I get them to work in parallel? The only thing (that I can think of) that comes close is a Plan9 CPU server.

[RootbeaR]

Originally Posted by absolutezero1287

@Rootbear: that sounds a bit complex. How would I get them to work in parallel? The only thing (that I can think of) that comes close is a Plan9 CPU server.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Computer_cluster

http://www.ram.org/computing/linux/linux_cluster.html

http://www.computerworld.com/s/artic...e=rss_topic122


Edit: 2nd link is a how-to

[DotHQ]

You can make one of them server as your firewall and make another of them a honeypot to attract hackers. Let em in and track what they do. You will definitely learn a thing or two.

[absolutezero1287]

@DotHQ: one server, one hardware firewall, one honeypot, and one backup server

I think that's what I wanna do with it.

[itsjusme]

Or you could build some baby rockers and sell them. LOL
http://forums.techguy.org/unix-linux...ose-older.html