Upcycling your old computer gives its a purpose and keeps it out of the trash bin. It can even add a new device to your home, like a retro gaming console or security center, that you didn’t know you needed. Remember, what’s the worst that can happen? Breaking the computer isn’t a worry if the computer was already going to the recycle yard. Let’s give that old computer a new life. Plug your PC into your television through HDMI, add a keyboard and mouse, and you’re ready to go. If you want to dive into the deep end, you can download a digital media player like Plex and turn your old PC into a whole-home media server. It might seem old-fashioned. Modern games offer free online play and, with many modern games, it’s not even possible to host a server. There are exceptions, however. Terraria and Starbound are popular co-op games that have a dedicated server option. And, of course, you can make a Minecraft server. The Valve Developer Community wiki has a partial list of games sold on Steam that support dedicated servers. Many PC games sold in the late 1990s and early 2000s offer dedicated server support, as well. Google Stadia, Nvidia GeForce Now, and Shadow Blade are the most popular cloud gaming services compatible with a PC. They each have advantages and disadvantages, but they’ll generally work on any computer that can handle 1080p streaming. The key to unlocking retro gaming bliss is an emulator, a program that uses software to replicate the hardware of a game console. While you can track down individual emulators for the consoles you’re interested in, your best bet is RetroArch, a program that acts as an interface for multiple emulators. There are many ways to create a file server, but free FTP Server software for Windows is the best bet for most people. It’s straightforward, provides file access over a local network or the Internet, and won’t cost a single cent if you stick to personal use. An old computer in your workshop, garage, or garden shed can be handy. You can track project materials and access online resources without tracking dirt inside. Don’t restrict your use to work, however. An old computer is also fabulous for entertainment. Spotify’s free PC app lets you select individual tracks, for example, something you can’t do with the mobile app. A touchscreen is great for the kitchen because you can use it while your hands are somewhat dirty. It’s not a good idea to browse YouTube after massaging a bowl of raw meat, but you can use a touchscreen with flour, sugar, salt, or even a bit of egg on your hands. A touchscreen is easy to wipe clean too. A computer in the kitchen is handy for reading recipes, installing cooking apps, and converting measurements. It can also keep you entertained with Netflix, Spotify, or YouTube while waiting for your dish to cook. Upcycling your old computer into a video conferencing center solves all these problems. You can place it exactly where you want it, install the video conferencing software, and forget about it until you need it. You can even significantly improve your video quality by adding an external webcam. An old computer offers an old-school alternative. Instead of connecting cameras to the cloud, you can connect them to your locally hosted computer. You can avoid a monthly fee no matter how many cameras you connect. A locally hosted solution also avoids the privacy concerns some users might have about cloud-based home security. This trend started in 1999 with the now-defunct SETI@Home. Today, the Folding@Home project lets you contribute to necessary disease research. Or you can choose from hundreds of other active projects, ranging from cryptography to Chess. Don’t toss the computer just yet. Instead, donate it! A computer is a must-have in today’s world, but computers remain unaffordable for many people in communities across the globe. A quick Google search for organizations that accept donations can connect you with a charity that needs your old computer.
