“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.”