So, you have a few vintage Macs laying around, collecting dust, and you want to do something somewhat productive with them? Then you came to the right place. I will list some great uses for those older Macs, that will inject many more years of life in them. How many PCs have you seen that really last more than a few years?

Web Server: One of the best ways to use an older Mac is to turn it into a Web Server. Most pages don't use up too much disk space, and serving out web pages takes very little power (in fact, potatoes have been used to serve web pages!). Plus, this would mean all the web space you want (you can always increase the hard drive size, or add extra external drives), without paying a premium. Works best if you have broadband (static IP address works the absolute best, but dynamic can work too) internet access.

Old Games: Do you have some older games sitting around, with no use because your new Mac is too fast, or the version of the Mac OS is too new to use it? If so, than a vintage Mac setup for the sole purpose of old gaming can be a ton of fun. Relive the classics on a classic machine.

Word Processor: Many of us have run into this predicament, another family member is playing an ultra cool game, and cannot quit for a couple hours, but you have a paper due the next day. Well, if you had that old Mac ready to go, you could quickly turn it on, type up your paper, and everyone can be happy. I cannot count the number of times this solution has come into play around my house.

Backup Machine: What happens if your state-of-the-art Mac suddenly stops working, and you need to get on the internet to get some much needed information, or to clear up the problems? Chances are, this will happen to everyone reading this article. While you could print out my troubleshooting tips, in case of an emergency, this may not be enough to get you up and running. In these cases, an older Mac hooked up to the net could be a lifesaver.

File server: Another great way to use an older Mac on your network is as a file server. Just like a web server, you can add as much space as you need, and it takes very little CPU power to actually serve these files out. Why keep multiple copies of your documents when you can save them, and access them from any Mac on the network, with ease.

A nice gift for kids: If you know some young kids (they don't have to be yours), that are looking for a computer to play with, and don't have the money for a new computer, you could become their savior by giving up your old Mac. Because of the price, it won't matter if they break it. Plus, with a few choice applications, you may have a couple of young converts on your hands, that will grow up to be Mac lovers like yourself.

A nice gift for the elderly: The same things applies to the elderly as does the children. While it may take more work getting them to use/learn it, it will bring extra fulfillment to their lives. Check out a previous article of mine entitled Senior Citizens and Macs.

Decorations: Ok, this is getting a little geekier, but wouldn't it be cool to deck out your computer room in Apple stuff. Logos over here, that old Mac over there, posters on each wall, it would be perfect for the Mac Lover. Not only would it be styling, but you would also have the geekiest computer room in the entire city.

Fish Tank: This one requires more work, but makes an awesome conversation piece. You can choose to take apart an older all in one Mac (MacClassic and iMacs are the best), and build it your way, or you can buy a pre-made Macquarium or a kit from RedLightRunner. Any way you go about it, their is no cooler looking aquariums in the world.

Apple Shrine: For the true Mac lover with more old Macs that they can make do useful tasks, an Apple Shrine is the way to go. Put it in the front lawn, your basement, or wherever it looks great. I have seen couches, entertainment centers, coffee tables, and more made out of old Macs. If you can't do computing tasks with them, you might as well put them to some kind of use.

Don't let that old Mac sit there doing nothing. Get it out of the closet, and make it do some thing. Not only will you be squeezing every bit of value out of that Mac you can, but you will also elevate your geek status to unknown levels. Bring your PC using friends and family to see just how cool your old Macs really are!