xprodigy.net

[xuser1]

Hello, just posting this to start a new topic - and please, feel free to add to this list!

Got old useless computers laying around gathering dust? Here are 10 ways to put 'em back to work:

1. Web Server (or FTP server)
For DOS, try EZNOS; small enough it can fit it on a floppy disk. You can even boot from the floppy and run the entire web site, no hard disk required! For Windows, search for free web (and/or ftp) servers like Xitami. Win98 even includes Personal Web Server (but not usually installed by default - use Add/Remove Programs-Windows Setup in Control Panel).

2. File Server / Network Storage
DOS will take a bit of work to get networked; much easier with Windows for Workgroups 3.11 and Win9x. Simply enable File and Print Sharing, share one or more folders, and all computers on your network can store and retrieve files from there. And unlike Windows XP, which has a limit of 10 simultaneous connections from network clients, Win 9x has no limit - so if you have a large home or office network there's no need to use linux or buy expensive server operating systems.

3. Print Server
Process is similar to setting up a file server above, except in addition to (or instead of) sharing folders, here we'll select a printer to share. Simply install one or more printers on your old PC, then share them so other PCs on your network can print to them. You might need to install appropriate print drivers on the client computers if different operating system than your print server.

4. Media Streaming Server / Internet Radio / Live Internet Video
Turn your old Win98 machine into a live Internet Radio or TV station! Windows Media Encoder versions 7.1 and earlier run great on older machines with lower system specifications. Using Windows Media Encoder, you can netcast live and recorded audio and video programming.

5. Internet Gateway/Router
If you're using dial-up internet access and have two or more computers in the home or office, you know the frustration of waiting for "your turn" to get on the internet. And broadband users who have their DSL or Cable modem connected directly to a PC instead of to a router can't access the internet from other PCs. So why not use one of your old computers as an internet gateway/router? Search for gateway software like Wingate, or Windows 98 and later provides ICS (Internet Connection Sharing), which acts as a gateway/router through which other computers on your network can access the internet, and all can be online at the same time!

6. Internet/Email Terminal
So your old PC doesn't have enough horsepower for 3D gaming or video editing? Why not use it as an extra email or internet terminal? For example, your main computer is downstairs in the study, but you're in the game room upstairs playing air hockey when suddenly you realise you forgot to send that important email to your boss. Options are: run downstairs to fire off that email, or walk 3 steps to your Game Room Terrminal!

7.Remote Access Client
You can set-up your old Windows 95/98 PC to be a remote client accessing your other PCs running Windows 2000, XP Professional, Vista Business, Windows 7 Business, or Windows Servers. Using Windows Remote Desktop or other remote access applications, old PCs that can barely function on today's internet can operate like new using the applications, processing power and memory of the host PC!

8. Live Web Cam
Wanna show off the scenic view from your home, or keep an eye on the pets while you're at work? Attach a web cam to your old PC and serve up live pics using free web cam software like DCAM Server! Compatible with older Windows versions.

9. Word Processor
Isn't this where personal computing really began? I remember using an Atari PC to write and save documents! Even the most primitive PCs can offer word processing features more advanced than many electronic typewriters.

10. Recycle
Okay, so maybe you don't have the time or inclination to breathe new life into your old PCs. Why not give others the opportunity? Consider selling your old PCs at garage sales where others can put them to good use, or donate them to charitable organisations.

[rstegman]

I have two windows 98 computers, and a windows 2000 computer. My nephew loaned me a router. I cannot seam to get access to each other's drives. It is one of those things where I am missing one little bit of knowledge. The 2000 does not even know there are other computers plugged in.
I also have a dos computer that I would love to have access to but I understand that would be even tougher.

Thanks for the list. It is getting me thinking.

My nephew said that you can use your little computer to act as your internet security for the rest of the other computers. It is the one plugged into the internet and the rest are plugged into it, and it filters out the viruses and stuff that comes through.
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Roger Stegman
rstegman@prodigy.net
rstegman@earthlink.net
rstegman@aol.com
"if you write, you are a writer. If you are not talented, you will not get published as often, or at all" - Orson Scott Card.

[xuser1]

First Ten folks who add to this list could receive an all-expense paid trip to HERE!

[Donahoo]

I already have a Windows 98 computer and I just need to connect it to router for it to be networked. I would love to be able to use it for internet radio; I use a borrowed server for broadcasting but it's not always available when I want to use it. I don't think my upload speed is enough to use it for that though, would limit the number of listeners. Upload speed is 1Mbps.
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[xuser1]

Donahoo, I'm impressed! What sort of broadcasting are you doing? Music, talk show, and is it live or pre-recorded? How many listeners?

The Windows Media encoder can only support a few simultaneous direct connections; I can't remember the limit (maybe 10?). Over that limit, you'd need to stream to a Windows Media Server and let it redistribute the stream to the larger audience.

Bill

[Donahoo]

I have a live broadcast every other Friday night , usually have 10 to 20 listeners, where I play music from my computer. Then once or twice a month I host a karaoke show on Saturday night; using pre-recorded songs that the singers submit by email in advance. This show is broadcast live and has around 30 listeners. Both use a Shoutcast server that I connect to with Winamp. When there is another host for karaoke, I use my borrowed server to relay in case the number of listeners exceeds the server limit. These broadcasts are private (i.e. not searchable) for obvious reasons and require the listener to have the url in advance.

If you would like to listen tonight; go to http://gtradio.zapto.org:8000 and click on Listen at the top of the page to open the stream in your default music player, or if you have Firefox it will ask which program to use. The other listening option on that page opens a Quicktime plugin but it doesn't work too well most of the time. The show starts around 6:15 PM eastern time.

I've been told I don't have enough bandwidth to host the server here. Plus the cable company prohibits operating a server anyway, although I know there are ways around that.
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[xuser1]

Wow! And thanks for the invite, I'll certainly try to listen in tonight, sounds like fun!

I've posted on the computing forums previously about my tinkering with audio/video broadcasting (webcasting), but never really went all the way with it like you've done (I like girls who go all the way, BTW )

In additition to live netcasting, I tinkered with creating playlists, which can consist of dozens or even hundreds of songs (or other media files -video, etc), can loop continously, and can also be interspersed with pre-recorded voice messages- ie. advertisements, station IDs and Announcements, etc. My goal was to create a long "broadcast" which could just be uploaded to a web page and then run automatically without any further administrative action on my part.

So to test, I uploaded a playlist of just 2 songs (but could also be 500 or any number of songs or audio files) to my sbcglobal.net (aka prodigy.net) personal web space, which loops continually:

http://pages.sbcglobal.net/user1/audio/

Will probably need to use Internet Explorer, and allow the Microsoft Media Player plug-in or ActiveX control or whatever it prompts for, I can't remember what it is.

Or, you can access directly from Windows Media Player at this URL:

http://pages.sbcglobal.net/user1/audio/stream.m3u

Using this method, a webcaster can create a playlist of any length, loop it continously, upload the playlist file and associated audio-video files to their web host, and be a 24/7 internet radio or video broadcaster, using the bandwidth provided by their web host instead of tying up the bandwidth of their active internet connection.

Bill

[ClutterNan]

Thanks for the topic & tips!

I have a few computers but don't know if I am capable of doing any of the neat things listed here. I have my old 8088 in storage. At the time I got a newer one I couldn't find a place that would take it. I have a Gateway w/Win95; Zeos little laptop with I think Win98. it was the one I took on my genealogy trips. I loved it & it is great.
Two w/xp and last year's model Macbook. Still trying to get used to the macbook.

We had the ISP guy hook up the router but he doesn't know beans about a mac & could never get it to connect to the router. So, he made me a long cable so I could use it here. Our internet service is thru an antennea on the roof.

[xuser1]

[Donahoo]

I usually broadcast at 96kbps but have gone down to 48kbps without anybody noticing.
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[xuser1]

[xuser1]

Wow, Donahoo, very VERY impressive! What a great program you've got going!

Bill

[Donahoo]

Thanks, glad you like it. I have another 2 hours yet to go, and have 27 listeners now.

Did you hear me sing?
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[xuser1]

Yes, I heard you sing with your Angelic voice, absolutely beautiful on that Dolly Parton song, can't rememebr the title. You are incredible!

[Donahoo]

Thanks a lot.
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