[Gandalf Parker]

I have DSL also. It runs 4 desktop computers AND a linux server (debian vesion from GNU.org). The 4 desktop computers will sometimes clash meaning that if we are all trying to play some new graphics heavy onine game then we can "feel" the drag from each other being Online. But its almost impossible for the server to feel it. Thats because a desktop computer is all downhill load. Small amount sent generating a large amount coming back. Such as me sending an URL and getting back a full web page of text, graphics, sound, etc. But the server is all uphill (sending) load. Same thing in reverse, it gets a short request like an URL and sends back a large package such as a full page. Another point is that the sending involves no interpretation. It just "copies" everything out the port. So it takes FAR less computer (cpu, harddrive, graphics, sound, memory) capabilities to "serve" anything than it takes to create it. The desktop computer required for me to create graphics, or sound files, or a decent spread sheet, or play a game... is far more computer than it takes for me to serve it up on the net.

My old junk-in-the-closet machine has 6 domains on it. It handles the web sites, ftp, email discussion lists, 100 different email accounts, and some of the DNS. Oh yeah, and it runs one full time MUD game server with all the players, and sometimes runs a full-time server hosting a dominions game when I feel like starting one. I dont require an ISP anymore. I have no limits on web, email, bandwidth, storage. Ive given space and accounts to a couple dozen people in various Groups Im involved in just because they had something neat they were doing and having trouble getting decent hosting. We have put up and taken down anything we wanted to try like IRC or Gopher. I can add any capability someone wants to add to their web site and I can make a new email for myself any time I want. As many as I want off of any of the domains on the box. As a side note.. for under $200 you can get a Sparc computer off of Ebay that's the same as I used when I worked for ISPs to manage all the ISP services for 30,000 Users.

Of course everything has its pros and cons. I have some advantages in managing a box like that and handling security. If you are more at home with Windows, and the computer you can use is alittle better than the one I can use with linux, then you might be happier with Win2000 or WinXP as a server software. Its easier to manage though it takes more machine and is happier handling less such as concentrating on one domain.