Linux.com: Waste Not, Want Not

"As computer hardware becomes faster and cheaper, I have found that people always want to go to the cutting edge of hardware and find the best computer they can. Instead, I propose an idea that seems to have been forgotten: reuse old hardware. Although this concept is not a new one, and has gone hand in hand with the Open Source and Free Software movements, it seems to have been forgotten in recent times...."

"Need a dedicated file and/or print server? Need another computer to run your Quake 3 server? Need a gateway so that you can put your entire network online through that brand new ADSL connection you just bought? What do you do with the computer that does not quite have everything that it needs, or maybe is just too slow to use? Well all you need is a 486 motherboard and processor, and I know I have way too many of those lying around. Just install Linux on it and make it a dedicated server or gateway! Don't install X on it, because chances are you will never need it. You don't need a keyboard, mouse or monitor once it gets set up. All it needs is a network connection and power, and you now have a good dedicated server."

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Related Stories:

• LinuxPower: Setting Up IP Masquerading(Nov 03, 1999)
• Linux Journal: Transparent Firewalling(Oct 23, 1999)
• Linux.com: Deploying a Linux Firewall(Oct 08, 1999)
• PC World: Turn Any PC Into a Linux Server(Oct 06, 1999)