With ever increasing availability of more complex and dynamic operating systems, the primary use of a computer is only limited to the imagination and technical know how of the user.
Some examples of use in the home:
- Network attached storage (Linux distribution named FreeNAS)
- Media Server (Hewlett-Packard makes a dedicated version of this)
- Graphics design (Adobe is the forefront in design software)
- Architectural design (AutoCAD leads this category)
- On-line banking (savings, loans, insurance, credit, mutual funds...)
- Gaming (always fun, sometimes aggravating)
- Social Networking (Myspace, Facebook, Twitter).
- Knowledge sharing (WikiAnswers, Wikipedia, Lifehacker, Gizmodo)
- Science (Folding at Home is a great example of home-based cloud computing)
The list goes on. These are just a few examples. Use your imagination, and chances are someone is using a computer in their home somewhere for that purpose.