Server

Common uses for a server

• Install FTP software and run a FTP.
• Install a cloud service like Seafile to run your own Dropbox service, no privacy issues, full control, unlimited space (well, limited by how many drives you can cram in)
• Always on seedbox. Start torrents with your phone through the web interface while out, they're done by the time you're back home.
• Host a personal website
• Run your own mailserver just like Hillary!
  • Warning: Running a mailserver is a shitton of work. You will get hacked all the fucking time and it's very high-maintenance.
• Run a dedicated game server
• Run various webapps, develop your own webapps
• SSH-tunnel to the server from work/school/etc to use it as a proxy, so that the admin of the network you're on can't see what sites you're going on

Home Server vs. Rented Server

If you want a server, you have two options: Either make your own, or rent one.

Running your own has the following benefits:

• Cheap servers are almost always VPSs, and their specs are set very low. Even bottom of the barrel hardware from 5 years ago or average hardware from 10 years ago will get you much better performance.
• Upgrading is as easy as buying a new component and sticking it in. You can install whatever software you want.
• No giving permanent access to your credit card to some company on the other side of the planet.
• You don't have to trust anyone with your data.
• When at home, you can connect to the server over LAN for blazing fast speeds.
• Can connect server to TV with HDMI for watching movies.
• Very cheap or free if you have old hardware lying around.

But renting a server also has benefits:

• Can rent the server in a country with strong privacy laws.
• Protects your identity if you use it as a proxy (assuming the company fucks you over).
• Less downtime, less maintenance problems, no electric cost.
• Probably more secure than what you'll get if you roll your own.
• No fucking around with ISP.

Home server

A server is any machine that is on all the time, and accepts connections from the internet. Anyone who knows the IP of the server or a domain that points to that IP can try connecting. Servers can serve multiple different services, usually each service has its own port. Once it's set up you disconnect everything (monitor, keyboard, mouse) except the power cord and ethernet jack, and install something called an SSH server. You can then connect to the server from anywhere over the internet (or from inside your house over the LAN) and control it remotely.

Keep cost in mind. Renting a server is very easy and at $10/mo will cost you $120 in one year. If you are buying all hardware new, a headless server (no permanent monitor or keyboard) will cost you more than this.