Help me "liberate" my own macs!

[Influx]

I've got the following in the basement, all of which have been collecting dust for years.

Quardra/Centris 650
Power Mac 6400 (IIRC there's a Sonnet G3 upgrade in this)
StarMax 3160 tower
Powermac 7100/80

Assuming they are all maxed out with RAM and have an Ethernet connection, I pose this question;

How can i liberate these machines?

We are starting to finish the basement so if I don't find a use for these soon, they will go to whomever comes and picks them up.

Do any of you still have old machines in use and what are you using them for?

I ask this as I really have everything I need right now with my crrent setup, but maybe some suggestions may allow me to see other ways these things can be used.
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Mini 1.83 C2D 2GB/80GB/Combo, 10.5
Mini 1.66 CD (HTPC) 1GB/80GB/SuperDrive, 10.5
MacBook 2.16 C2D 2GB/160GB/SuperDrive, 10.5
Mac user since Aug 27 1956

[Bandit Bill]

I would put them on eBay (that's if you can be bothered), or take them to the recycling depot. They will probably be put to better use through the recycling depot.

I'm sure lots of people will say, "I'll take them!!!". But I wouldn't give them away. Likely they will just sit somewhere else and collect dust. Someone who is willing to pay for them will likely have a need for them.

I have a friend that just can't pass by "junk". He's the type of guy that takes more home from the dump than he brings. I can't stand to visit his house. It's a mess and nothing is useful because there is way too much junk in the way.

[JohnnyBoy]

Hi there Influx, here are some ideas to get you started...

http://goscreative.blogspot.com/2008/02/11-ways-to-put-your-old-computer-to.html

http://lowendmac.com/hodges/05/1109.html

http://www.weitzman.net/classicmacs/

http://theappleblog.com/2006/10/17/put-that-old-mac-to-work/
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Intel Mini 2.0GHz C2D (4GB/120GB/SuperDrive/10.5.8 ), 120GB WD Passport, Logitech ergo k/b
iPod Touch (32GB, 3rd gen), iPod Shuffle (512MB, 1st gen)

[Bandit Bill]

Let's see... you already have 3 computers in use. From power consumption to reusing the materials, wouldn't recycling be the most environmentally friendly thing to do.

If you really had a need for them, they wouldn't be sitting in the basement collecting dust.

We often try to justify reasons for keeping things. Electronics are difficult to part with. You probably paid $1000's for each of those machines.

My vote is to take a photo of them and recycle them. There are already enough computer museums and fish tanks enjoy the additional space in your new renovated basement.

Have fun with the project

[dungeon92]

[Influx]

Heh, you guys are right.

Really, the only reason I asked is that I felt bad because these machine DO have some life in them.... not just for me

After looking through those articles (thanks JohnnyBoy!) nothing struck me as anything I don't already do on one of my existing machines, let alone worth the extra power consumption.

I'll list them locally for free take away and if they aren't gone in a week, I'll strip out what I think would sell on eBay and send the rest to be recycled.
_________________
Mini 1.83 C2D 2GB/80GB/Combo, 10.5
Mini 1.66 CD (HTPC) 1GB/80GB/SuperDrive, 10.5
MacBook 2.16 C2D 2GB/160GB/SuperDrive, 10.5
Mac user since Aug 27 1956

[NadiaGeek]

I have a computer in every room in my house, including the bathroom -- that one has a voice software on it, so when I'm in the shower, I can browse the Web. Basement, Garage, etc. all of a computer in them. Do something like that. Then you'll never be far from the world. I dun have on in the car yet, but will.
_________________
Mac Mini - Intel Core 2 Duo 2.0GHz; 2GB DDR2 RAM; 120GB HD.

iMac G3

1GB iPod Shuffle

2GB iPod Nano

Too Many PCs to Name

[Bandit Bill]

[NadiaGeek]

[Bandit Bill]

Can you describe the set-up in more detail or post a pic?
Not with you in the shower!!

How have you dealt with water and safety issues?

[JohnnyBoy]

[Bandit Bill]

[ghostdawg]