Shoutbox

Ok so today dad bought home the server and hard disk controller and boy can i say they are big and very heavy. We have decided to keep it in the garage possibly on a bracket so that way the noise should hopefully not be a problem. (i had a quick look inside and the size of the fans are absolutely huge so i gather they would make a bit of noise).
The hard drives have been wiped so currently there is no operating system on it at all. I have access to a legal copy of the most recent windows server edition if i wish to put that on there, otherwise open to suggestions.
The ftp idea sounds like a good one and granting access to friends to upload/download stuff does anyone have any links to information regarding setting up accounts with passwords etc so that way its restricted to private use? also for them to download anything is still going to be limited by the speed of my upload connection right? and that is pretty slow so maybe its not the best idea..
I will definately be dedicating some of the space for storage of files in home use i just want to come up with something else useful as well. I just had the thought while writing this post for using it for video converting and downloading instead of having to leave my room computer on overnight.

Also is there a way (possibly ftp) where if i got to uni one day and thought oh shit i forgot to bring in something or email that document to myself. and i could go into the library and access my home documents (without having to have uploaded them previously cos that kinda defeats the purpose of remembering) and then download it, without installing anything on the uni computers.

Thanks very much for the interest and replies. If anyone can think of anything else that has not been mentioned dont hesitate to suggest as im open to learning and looking into anything.