Currently, I have access to six computers that do not do anything. Five PC’s and one PowerMac G4. My schedule doesn’t really permit me to do anything with them that is too intensive. Hak.5 has some great ideas like making an old PC into a NAS. That may be a good idea to try during the Thanksgiving break.

Limiting factors of my usage of the older computers:

Physical space. These are big, honking mini-towers. It would be nice to learn to mod computers using these things or put them in something like a coffee table or something.

Lack of Networking. There’s no point in saving an old computer that doesn’t have access to my network or Internet access. In the perfect world, my house would be wired with Ethernet cable everywhere. Unfortunately, I’m not in the perfect world just yet. Wireless networking is a lousy option.

I’m cheap. I don’t want to throw too much money into older hardware. If the costs get too high, it would just make more sense to pick up another Mac mini.

There’s a lack of time. I am currently a student (in what should be my final year of formal education) and this last year of work is intensive. I become obsessive when I start working on projects, so starting a “quick project” could become a lost weekend.

Speaking of lack of time, I’d better get to work.