Productive use for a spare computer?

[DewChugr]

1. DVR - Expanding on DewChugr's recommendation, this is amazing if you actually like TV. I took an old PC, installed Vista Home Premium and a TV tuner on it, and now have a full blown DVR. I also have a useful app called webguide (free), which allows streaming/recording scheduling through my phone. If you have an Xbox 360, you can sync the two and stream video,etc.

I use XP Pro and gbpvr. I've got a dual tuner so I can record HD and/or standard cable. I built it on a dell P4 2.4 server with raid. It's so quit I fon't even know it's running. Only bad thing is no PCIe. I can view local movie guide, have photos, vids, music etc on there. I put on iTunes so then I can easily access my shared library on any computer. I can't program from my phone, no internet, but can through any browser. I can also, depending on connection watch live tv or recorded shows over the internet.

I'll have to look into webguide. What vid card do you use and is it PCIe or AGP?

It's so cool skipping the commercials and all without shelling $$ out to tive or comcast.

 

[OrganicOne]

I don't know of a single tutorial online and it would take more time than I have to write one...

However, between the Gizmo5 forums and the Tribox (the version of Asterisk I use) forums, you can easily find everything you need.

trixbox CE, an Asterisk-based PBX Phone System (formerly Asterisk@Home) | trixbox

Gizmo5 - Make free internet calls from your mobile phone and computer - Products - Feature

I meant to say I found some individual tutorials, however nothing comprehensive incorporating what you have setup. Thanks for the links, this will definitely be my next project.

I use XP Pro and gbpvr. I've got a dual tuner so I can record HD and/or standard cable. I built it on a dell P4 2.4 server with raid. It's so quit I fon't even know it's running. Only bad thing is no PCIe. I can view local movie guide, have photos, vids, music etc on there. I put on iTunes so then I can easily access my shared library on any computer. I can't program from my phone, no internet, but can through any browser. I can also, depending on connection watch live tv or recorded shows over the internet.

I'll have to look into webguide. What vid card do you use and is it PCIe or AGP?

It's so cool skipping the commercials and all without shelling $$ out to tive or comcast.

I have a 9800 All in Wonder, however I am using a Hauppauge tuner as the main source. As for WebGuide, I am not sure if it supports gbpvr. I looked into a couple free/open source media centers, but since it was for my girl Vista was the easiest for her to use (she was already familiar with MCE 2005). The Xbox360 sync was also a deal closer.

 

[DMSLLC]

Id put it on the network as one of two thins:

#1 - A backup DNS sever - Can't have too many of those
#2 - A honey Pot - Place it on your network with a juicy name and databases etc that promise to contain credit card numbers etc... makes a great distraction if your getting hacked - keeps them busy trying to crack and decrypt something that doesn't even exist.

 

[emp]

FreeNAS or Torrent / download machine.

Probably sucks less energy than your current computer, so don't waste your money having your GoliathBox(tm) downloading some porn overnight.
Let oldBox(tm) do that instead.

Also rip out the stupid 3D card, wasted for these tasks.

::emp::

 

[Lucidity]

Damn some nice ideas guys, thanks. Now I want to go out and pick up another cheap box lol.

 

[Wicked Ice]

SETI@home