Hi I’m a volunteer in a youth center. Some time ago, their organization switched to OneDrive and their old server got shelved. I thought it would be a waste to just throw it out, but I’m not sure what to do with it. It runs on an outdated system (CentOS 7, I believe), but otherwise works fine.

I have dipped my toes into Linux, but I am in no ways an expert.

So I would like to ask for ideas, suggestions or maybe just some pointers. What is a fun way to use a server for a youth center? While I’m at it, any ideas what to do with this?

Use it, donate it, sell it? I’m not trying to profit, by the way. Selling would mean to reinvest it into new equipment for the kids, whatever that may be.

I also have a bunch of Lenovo ThinkCentres and old or broken Notebooks at my disposal.

  • Voroxpete@sh.itjust.worksEnglish
    1·
    3 months ago

    I think an absolutely great use for an old server at a youth center would be whatever the kids decide to use it for. Seriously, put it to a vote. There are lots of fun options, like a Minecraft server, one of the various Discord alternatives, a private wiki, or whatever else you find on the Awesome Selfhosted List . Just let it be their choice.

    And, more importantly, set it up with them. Let anyone who wants to be involved in the process join in. If you’re kind of a newbie to Linux yourself, that’s even better; let them see you fuck up. Let them help you search for answers when you run into problems. Make it into a collaborative project.

    Now, as for the actual hardware you have there… Man, that thing is ancient. If it’s what you’ve got it’s what you’ve got. As I’ve already indicated I think the process is worth more than the result here. That said, if you look around you can almost certainly find a refurbished old corporate PC for a hundred bucks or so that will be more powerful. Liquidation auctions are especially good for that kind of thing.

  • hendrik@palaver.p3x.deEnglish
    0·
    3 months ago

    I think so as well. The computer isn’t really good to “use” it. That’s more the category for experiments. Or teach people how to install Linux. Or a computer museum corner and you put vintage games on it. Or just recycle it.

    And a box with RAM sticks collecting dust isn’t useful either. Put whatever is compatible into other computers, and then try to sell and recycle them. Seems 4GB DDR3L RAM modules still sell for 1 to 4€ on eBay?! So maybe you can make a few bucks to invest in other projects for the kids.

    • irmadlad@lemmy.worldEnglish
      1·
      3 months ago

      Or teach people how to install

      I think that’s a noble cause right there. Get them <ahem!> hooked while they’re young and impressionable.