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Re-Purposing Old Tech: Turn Your PC Into A Home Server

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As a tech nerd, we have all been there—you’ve upgraded your PC and now have old parts or a complete PC gathering dust in the corner. It may be too slow for everyday use, but too good to throw away. 

Maybe you’ve thought about selling it, but let’s be honest, it’s not worth much. Instead of letting it take up space, why not turn it into something genuinely useful?

With a little time and effort, that ageing machine can be transformed into a home server, handling anything from media streaming and file backups to game hosting and smart home automation. Plus, if it is one or two components you’re missing, there is no harm in purchasing some refurbished tech from a reputable retailer.

Whether you’re looking to create your own private cloud, set up a Plex media server, or just experiment with something new, repurposing your old PC is a great way to get more life out of it—and learn a thing or two along the way. Let’s walk you through the basics by covering:

  • Intro to home servers
  • The benefits of home servers
  • How they’re used
  • How to prepare your old PC for server use

What is a home server?

A home server is a dedicated computer that runs various services on your local network, giving you more control over your data, media, and applications. 

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Instead of relying on third-party cloud storage or streaming services, a home server allows you to host your own solutions—that could be storing important files, streaming movies, or even running game servers. 

The best part? You don’t need expensive hardware. Your old PC with decent specs can handle most tasks.

Popular uses

File storage and backups

A home server can act as your personal cloud, storing all your important documents, photos, and videos in one secure place. 

Unlike online storage services, you won’t have to worry about subscription fees or privacy concerns. You can also automate backups, ensuring your files are safe from accidental deletion or hardware failures.

Media streaming (Plex, Jellyfin, etc.)

Love movies and TV shows? A home server running Plex or Jellyfin lets you stream your personal media collection to any device in your home—and even remotely if you configure it right. No more relying on streaming services that remove content or charge extra for 4K quality. With your own media server, you control the library, playback quality, and accessibility.

Hosting a website or cloud storage

If you’ve ever wanted to run your own website or create a self-hosted cloud storage solution, a home server makes it possible. With software, you can set up a private alternative to Google Drive or Dropbox, giving you full control over your data. 

Web hosting is also a great way to experiment with development, whether for personal projects or small business sites.

Running game or home automation servers

Want to play Minecraft with friends without paying for a hosted server? A home server lets you spin up a private game server whenever you need it—no monthly fees, no hassle. 

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Whether it’s Minecraft, Rust, or another multiplayer game, you get complete control over settings, mods, and performance. 

The Pros & Cons of using an old PC as a home server

Using an old PC as a home server can be a great way to repurpose hardware, but like anything, it comes with its advantages and drawbacks. Here’s a quick breakdown:

Pros:

  • Cost-effective: No need to buy new hardware, just repurpose what you have.
  • Customisation: Full control over software and configurations to suit your needs.
  • Energy-efficient (sometimes): Depending on the PC, it could consume less power than buying a dedicated server.
  • Learn & Experiment: Great for tinkering and learning new tech skills.

Cons:

  • Limited performance: Older PCs may struggle with more demanding tasks or multiple users.
  • Maintenance: You’ll need to handle updates, security, and troubleshooting yourself.
  • Space & Noise: An old PC can take up extra space and potentially be noisy, depending on its age.
  • Reliability: Older hardware may not be as reliable, so be careful of data loss.

How to turn an old PC into a home server

Turning an old PC into a home server is easier than it sounds, plus if you’re here reading Tech Boltify, then you probably are pretty tech savvy! 

Start by deciding what you want your server to do—whether it’s storing files, streaming media, or running a game server. Then, you’ll need to install server software like Ubuntu Server, FreeNAS, or even something like Plex if you’re aiming for media streaming. 

Most of these programs are free, and the installation process is straightforward, with lots of step-by-step guides online. 

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If you’re not sure where to start, YouTube is packed with tutorials, and you can find a video for pretty much any setup you have in mind. 

Once your server software is running, you can access it through your local network and start adding the services or files you want to host. It’s as easy as that.

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The Role of AI in Modern PDF Converter Technology

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Artificial intelligence has been making an enormous impact in the technology industry for the past few years, transforming how businesses and individuals work from Silicon Valley to New York City. This evolution has opened up new possibilities in many technological areas, such as PDF converter tools. Until relatively recently, we have experienced big changes in the tools that help us manage documents effectively.

In this post, we will look at how these AI developments have improved PDF converter technology to provide more opportunities for users around the world. Whether you need a simple conversion or require an online PDF to Word converter for complex document editing, AI-powered tools are revolutionizing the experience.

Enhancing Accuracy and Efficiency

PDF converters are being powered more accurately by AI. Previous versions frequently struggled to detect complex layouts or non-standard fonts, resulting in errors. AI algorithms are better than ever at interpreting these characteristics, meaning fewer errors. This is a powerful development that ensures that the formatting of the original documents is retained so that you can always count on the same formatting experience during conversion.

AI improves productivity by automating routine tasks. The document converter also offers an option to convert a large batch of documents without human intervention, saving time and resources. Such automation helps businesses that deal with large amounts of documentation, as it drastically streamlines business workflows.

Improving Text Recognition

Optical Character Recognition (OCR) is an essential function of a PDF converter. OCR has advanced with AI for more accurate reading and extraction of text from images. Today, converters can support multiple languages and even more challenging scripts.

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With excellent precision, AI-driven OCR can detect text in various settings, be it handwritten notes or scanned papers. This allows users to read and edit text directly from all sorts of sources for added productivity and convenience.

Enhancing Security Features

In digital document management, security is a big concern. Integrating artificial intelligence with PDF converters has improved the security of such conversions by detecting possible threats and vulnerabilities. It uses intelligent algorithms to identify and detect malicious content so that every document that is converted is safe for use.

In addition, AI improves encryption technologies that protect sensitive information during conversion. That way, users can make document conversions with peace of mind and have their material protected from unauthorized access.

Facilitating Document Organization

Another advantage of AI is that it organizes all the converted documents in an orderly manner. It can automatically classify files by content, making them easier to retrieve. Sorting through all those documents manually was never practical, but AI is able to do this quickly. According to the National Archives and Records Administration, proper document organization is essential for both compliance and efficiency in any organization.

Part of this organization capability is tagging, which allows users to label documents with relevant keywords. It makes searching for specific files easier and reduces the amount of time it takes to browse through folders. With AI organizing and cataloging documents, it frees up time to do other activities that matter.

Advancing User Experience

The user experience is greatly improved with AI-integrated PDF converters. AI has made these tools more intuitive with interfaces that are usable for both those who are tech-savvy and others who are not. Such interfaces can be built in a general form, and AI can make them personalized based on how the user works and what they prefer.

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You can also make the best of predictive features, where AI can analyze the needs of users and predict accordingly. It could recommend the most common conversion settings, for example, making the process even smoother. Similar features help PDF converters reach a wider audience.

Supporting Accessibility

AI-powered PDF converters help in making documents accessible to more people. For instance, they can translate documents into screen-reader-compatible formats, which helps those who are blind or visually impaired. This functionality ensures everyone has access to critical information in easy-to-obtain ways.

On top of that, AI also provides document translation in multiple languages, enabling it to break past language barriers. This allows an entire global community to engage with content in the language of their choice. This highlights the importance of AI in improving accessibility and the potential of AI to contribute to building a more equitable digital space.

Conclusion

AI keeps advancing PDF converter technology with many benefits. AI is essential in taking these tools to the next level, from increased accuracy and efficiency to better security and accessibility.

With the advancement in technology, users should expect better solutions in the future that make document management smoother and more efficient. By adopting AI features in PDF converters, processes get streamlined, and it can equally help in creating a more inclusive digital environment.

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The Strategic Role of an SEO Company in Long-Term Growth

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Every business should make sure that its online presence is accessible to its target audience and also discover how to flourish and achieve sustainable development. At this point, a search engine optimization company’s strategic involvement becomes essential. A professional SEO company carefully plans and implements a complete strategy that will raise a website’s organic search ranks and eventually promote long-term commercial growth beyond filling a website with keywords. 

Establishing Basic Organic Visibility

Establishing and improving a company’s natural visibility includes optimizing the content and structure of websites, earning high-quality backlinks, and doing in-depth keyword research to find phrases pertinent to the company and its target audience. Organic exposure, as opposed to paid advertising, offers a steady stream of visitors that is earned rather than purchased. 

A trusted Seo company ensures the client’s website appears prominently when prospective consumers search for goods or services, boosting brand exposure and fostering early engagement by laying this important foundation.

Increasing Qualified Leads and Traffic

Attracting qualified visitors is an essential strategic function of an SEO business that goes beyond simple exposure.  This implies attracting customers who aren’t simply clicking around but are really interested in what the company has to offer.  

An SEO company makes certain that the traffic that lands on the website has a greater chance of turning into leads or sales by using precise targeting, which includes local SEO initiatives for physical companies.  

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A greater return on investment results from this emphasis on relevance and intent as marketing initiatives are focused on the most promising leads, which immediately feed the sales funnel.

Improving Website Health and User Experience

Enhancing a website’s entire user experience and technical health is a critical component of a genuinely successful SEO strategy, which goes well beyond using keywords.  SEO firms evaluate the readability of the content and site speed before suggesting changes that would help both search engines and human users. 

Longer user retention and greater engagement are all benefits of a well-optimized website that is quick especially simple to use, and offers worthwhile information. Higher rankings and improved conversion rates are indirectly but significantly influenced by these UX improvements by creating a positive feedback loop.

Adjusting to Changing Algorithms for Search

SEO strategies that are effective now may become outdated tomorrow as the digital era is expanding day by day.  A committed SEO company keeps up ongoing developments by providing different tactics and putting best practices into effect to guarantee that the client’s website stays competitive. 

This proactive strategy safeguards the investment invested in SEO by avoiding abrupt declines in ranks and traffic that could happen if tactics are not continuously improved. Their knowledge ensures long-term online stability by acting as a vital buffer against algorithmic instability.

Providing Sustainable Growth and Measurable ROI

The dedication of an SEO business to producing quantifiable outcomes that support long-term, sustainable development is perhaps its most strategic function. They monitor key performance indicators including lead generation and conversion rates using analytics tools. This data-driven strategy shows a definite return on investment and enables further optimization for the website. 

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An SEO firm contributes to the development of an effortful marketing channel that produces leads and sales for years to come by steadily enhancing a company’s online authority and exposure hence, establishing a strong basis for long-term success. 

A reputable Seo company serves as a vital strategic partner for any business aiming to thrive in an increasingly digital landscape, offering not just expertise but a roadmap to lasting growth and competitive advantage.

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Five Free Apps That Are Great For Easing Mental Health

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Many of us struggle with our mental health these days. It’s the fast-paced world that we live in, where the pressures of work, finances, family life and more can all get on top of us.

In fact, today it’s estimated that one in four adults across the UK experience mental health problems, with more and more people seeking out professional help from mental health organisations as well as the best alcohol and drug rehab clinics.

Doing what you can to look after your mental health is a must and there are plenty of options to do that to suit all types of people. In fact, you can even find plenty to support your mental health on your phone, with hundreds of free apps designed to aid the likes of mindfulness, improve sleep and boost mood.

So, if you’re looking at ways in which you want to improve your mental health, here are five free apps that could make all the difference…

Insight Timer

Best for: Meditation beginners, stress relief, and sleep support.

If you’ve been curious about meditation but unsure where to begin, Insight Timer is a brilliant place to start. With over 100,000 guided meditations, music tracks, and talks from mindfulness experts, this app helps users cope with stress, anxiety, insomnia, and burnout.

Unlike many meditation apps that lock most content behind a paywall, Insight Timer offers a wide range of high-quality, free material, including courses, sleep stories, and calming music. Whether you’ve got five minutes or fifty, it’s a flexible and accessible way to introduce calm into your day.

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Moodpath

Best for: Mood tracking, early intervention, and gaining mental health insight.

Moodpath (now part of the MindDoc app) is designed to help you better understand your emotional patterns. It prompts you to answer daily questions about your mood, thoughts, and physical wellbeing, and then analyses your responses to provide personalised insights.

After a fortnight of answering the questions, it’ll provide you with a mental health assessment summary, while throughout it you’ll find tons of content that’s educational as well as exercises that can help boost your mood.

Calm Harm

Best for: Teens and young adults managing self-harm urges.

Aimed at teenagers and young adults who struggle with their mental health, Calm Harm is designed by clinical psychologists for people who experience self-harm surges. It provides a wealth of activities that are built around dialectical behavioural therapy to help users manage their impulses in a safer way.

Activities are grouped and there are sessions that can provide comfort, distraction and allow you to express yourself. All the sessions last between five and 15 minutes and it’s also a private and secure app, which many find incredibly valuable.

Daylio

Best for: Daily mood tracking, building self-awareness, and spotting behavioural patterns.

This app is a mood tracker that combines journaling with analytics. Daylio allows you to log your mood each day in a quick and easy fashion, with the data analytics working in the background to try and identify patterns in your mood and activities. 

It’s great for helping you understand what lifts you up and what puts you down and it can be great for encouraging positive habit-building.

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MeeTwo

Best for: Teenagers seeking peer support and safe online conversations.

Finally, another app that’s largely for teenagers and young adults, MeeTwo provides a safe and moderated space for people to talk openly about their feelings. You can ask questions, share experiences and receive advice and encouragement from those going through exactly the same things.

The community itself is monitored by professionals, which make it a safe space for people to utilise, whether looking for support, educational resources or wellbeing tips.

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