![](https://seccdn.libravatar.org/avatar/4ea21ef367bb5b0c7deff1e77d3e1fa2.jpg?s=120&d=mm&r=g)
People are having a hard enough time setting up new "state-of-the-art" machines, you are not going to find many willing to waste their time trying to setup clusters of old machines. The docs are out-of-date, the
On Monday 14 October 2002 08:05, zentara wrote about old computers not being re-used: power
consumption is too high compared to a single new machine, and it's basically a useless skill, although it may be an interesting hobby.
I make that same argument when people suggest things like: "If you have an older computer (or can get one), install Linux and then set it up as a router for your home network." It costs under $100 USD to buy a LinkSys or D-Link 4-port residential router. They are effortless to install, tougher and more reliable than old computers that have gone through hell, they have a MUCH smaller footprint, and they consume a lot less electricity. It seems to make little sense (except for die-hard hobbyists and those who have their own power-generation stations) to use outdated computers to perform any task that has been commoditized. Similarly, as soon as the prices for flat-panel monitors come down a bit more, I'm going to buy a couple and give away my 19-inch and 17-inch CRTs that currently take up so much desk-space, and eat so much juice here at home. (No config issue, there, just the size and power-consumption arguments.) Of course, I've been wrong before... :-) /kevin