Tips for fun and learning use of a spared dedicated server?

Question

I have a dedicated server that is up and running which I'm paying for, and I don't really know what to do with it. I'd like to do something that I will learn from and that users like, but it's even better if it could be a scenario in which it could pay for the server bill in the end.

Do you have any ideas what a server (quad core etc) could be used for, that is not a regular file upload site or something? I'd like to spend time on developing and not maintaining/checking for illegal actions.

Any ideas are welcome. The only thing I can think of is a vertical search engine, but I'd like to hear some more ideas!

Answer 1

Does the server support hardware virtualization? If so I'd create a stack of virtual machines and play with high availability systems. For instance load balancing, database replication, heartbeat, etc.

You can even give people their own virtual servers to play with (and charge them a small fee for them).

Answer 2

Create your own Content management system that people can use to make websites and host them on your server.

Not a small job, but it could be a learning experience!

Answer 3

People who have an idea on how to make money from a server wont post that on Serverfault - they would go make money from the server.

On how to have fun with a server: Put on some existing system that you like, and make an addon for it. Set up a service you would wish there was, regarding a topic you know and enjoy. See where it goes from there.