New
#11
Hi there
Old PC's make excellent home file / multi-media / printer servers / Internet gateways etc etc. The only problem might be if you only have IDE disks -- however you can probably find SATA adapters.
Great way to learn something about Linux too -- Linux will run on just about anything.
Store all your backup data from laptops / tablets etc on the Linux server as your "Private Cloud" too - so you can learn about cloud computing as well.
The Linux server doesn't need a huge amount of RAM either - and even if it has hideous graphics it doesn't matter as you can use the Command line or even a REMOTE console. You don't even need to connect a screen to the server at all if you operate it as a remote console. !!
Decent Linux distros to try : Debian, SUSE, Linux Mint, Ubuntu ===> that's 4 decent ones's just for starters.
Linux has come on a LONG way in recent years -- your main problem might be in getting some of the newer wireless cards / wifi USB adapters to work but as a server I'd use a WIRED LAN connection -- most home routers have 3 or 4 LAN connections available as well as the standard Wi-Fi. You will still be able to access the server from a Wireless connection on your LAN.
For file sharing etc look at APACHE. (As with most things Linux it's all FREE !!!)
http://www.apache.org/
Cheers
jimbo