How One Developer Built a Home Server from an Old Laptop for Free

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A developer set up a home server using an old, unused laptop to explore low-cost ways for students to host software projects without paying for cloud services. Inspired by a conversation with a friend, he installed Ubuntu Server LTS on the laptop after wiping Windows and creating a bootable USB drive. The setup required no graphical interface, relying entirely on terminal commands for configuration and package installation. With the server running, he decided to self-host his personal website and experiment with a media server. The project took an unexpected turn when he discovered Docker and containers, opening up a broader range of possibilities.

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