Do cool stuff with old computer junk.

[Hosom]

So in the tech lab here, we have a ton of old PCs and parts. Basically we kind of want to know of some cool stuff we can do with them, cause they're all just laying around. One of our current project ideas is to build a cluster of PCs and then use that to donate CPU time. Any ideas would be cool and welcome, we get bored a lot so if you like I'll update with pictures/what's going on.

[Isiolia]

Retro LAN party.

Make some into NAS

Lot of uses are probably better done with modern low power hardware though :/

[Killgannon]

clusers for seti or folding, whichever

[Zeith]

I've got something of a similar problem(?) at work. I've got both a stack of around 30 old Dell P4s and a Sunfire that are sitting powered off. A cluster is a fun experiment, beowulf or otherwise, if you've got the networking hardware lying around, and a SAN might be an interesting idea too. The problem I've run in to, which you may wish to examine, is that the power consumption of this old, junky hardware isn't worth the cost of keeping them on.

If you wanted sort of a timely and relevant thing to post in a blog about, you could build a cluster and see how it stacks up compared to the Green500.

[virusiidx]

I also agree with making it a NAS, or a lamp web server.

[Soupbowl]

Retro LAN party.

Make some into NAS

Lot of uses are probably better done with modern low power hardware though :/

Old parts and FreeNas is pretty awesome.