15 Practical Things You Can do With an Old Computer

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  • Опубліковано 21 лис 2024

КОМЕНТАРІ • 140

  • @bluedesign4790
    @bluedesign4790 3 роки тому +66

    Your channel is so underrated. It is you who introduced me on how to use MS-DOS and now I'm codding my own MS-DOS operating system with QBasic 4.5 thanks to you!

    • @oqocraft2661
      @oqocraft2661 3 роки тому +3

      amazing! how is it going

    • @Findmylimit
      @Findmylimit 2 роки тому

      @@oqocraft2661 I'd say not good

    • @adventuresinnostalgia
      @adventuresinnostalgia  8 місяців тому

      Wow, that's amazing! Building your own operating system is no small feat. What kind of features are you working on in QBasic

  • @robrobbins
    @robrobbins Рік тому +38

    As a programmer, I use old PCs as a development system when I need to run old software. For example, I might need an old version of Python to avoid running into a lot of problems trying to follow an old tutorial. Instead of trying to install multiple environments on my PC, I can use an old system. Some programmers use virtual machines for this.

    • @yungdnny
      @yungdnny 8 місяців тому +1

      Sandboxie is a nice step in between vm’s and separate bare metal imo. Curious to see what you think as a programmer?

    • @adventuresinnostalgia
      @adventuresinnostalgia  8 місяців тому +2

      That's a great tip about using an old PC for running legacy software! Do virtual machines ever come in handy for your development workflow as well, even alongside the old PC method?

    • @seansingh4421
      @seansingh4421 19 днів тому

      Have you heard of a thing called VMs ?

  • @Arise1
    @Arise1 3 роки тому +31

    I was gifted an old laptop from a friend and decided to upgrade the parts and use it as a secondary device or for school which was fine but then decided to multiboot windows xp , vista , 7 , 8.1 , and ubuntu while still using it for work which is quite awesome in my opinion it also familiarized me with how laptops are compared to towers.

  • @CoolGorillaGoAnimate7000
    @CoolGorillaGoAnimate7000 2 роки тому +4

    My way of using old hardware is just testing games and having nostalgic experiences. It's so much fun for some reason.

    • @adventuresinnostalgia
      @adventuresinnostalgia  2 роки тому +1

      Sometimes I'm just on the mood for some old games. They just appeal to me on ways that new games just don't.

  • @kendan856
    @kendan856 3 роки тому +23

    In highschool I used an old stick of RAM as a straight edge. Imo it's more convenient and durable than a plastic ruler

  • @NCC-0000
    @NCC-0000 3 роки тому +34

    You know you are a deep technophile when you started cringing in the last "destruction for art" part

    • @adventuresinnostalgia
      @adventuresinnostalgia  8 місяців тому +2

      Do you think there are ever situations where using old tech for art is justified?

  • @new-knowledge8040
    @new-knowledge8040 2 роки тому +8

    With old computers like mine, CPU upgrades are really cheap. Upgrade from the dual CPU processor, to a quad processor, cost you only a massive $20 CAD. Add an SSD, and bingo, things are running much faster. My computer is a 2009 Lenovo computer, but here today in 2022, it is still fast enough to watch YT videos at 1080p 60 fps, all while running on Windows 10 Pro. And so if you are not into games, etc., a few minor cheap upgrades in a 2009 computer can still be enough for you to keep your computer running fast enough for your movie watching at HD quality at Movie/TV_SHOW websites, watching YT videos at 1080 p60 fps, and of course watching HD NETFLIX.

    • @adventuresinnostalgia
      @adventuresinnostalgia  2 роки тому +2

      This is an excellent point. Depending on the age of the system some upgrade parts are very affordable. I remember when I first switched to an SSD. It made us surprisingly noticeable difference in performance

  • @Max_Mustermann
    @Max_Mustermann 4 місяці тому +1

    Interesting suggestions. One thing one has to take into account though when using an old PC as a server that runs 24/7 is power consumption. For less demanding workloads like weather stations or home surveillance something like a Raspberry Pi might be preferable in this regard.

  • @PurblePink8678
    @PurblePink8678 Рік тому +5

    I would ABSOLUTELY want my room stuffed with Desktops And Laptops From The Intel Core 2 Era To The Ivy Bridge Era So That I Could Play On Them With Windows Vista!

    • @adventuresinnostalgia
      @adventuresinnostalgia  Рік тому +1

      That sounds awesome!

    • @PurblePink8678
      @PurblePink8678 Рік тому

      @@adventuresinnostalgia Thanks

    • @adventuresinnostalgia
      @adventuresinnostalgia  7 місяців тому +1

      Windows Vista does bring back memories. What specific games from that era would you be revisiting in your awesome computer collection?

    • @PurblePink8678
      @PurblePink8678 7 місяців тому

      @@adventuresinnostalgia I can't count them all

  • @fwingebritson
    @fwingebritson 3 роки тому +20

    Great video. Nothing to troll about. However, it would be interesting to see videos like how to set up a weather station, and setting up a retro computer. Maybe a little more in depth than "this is what it is" but actually explain how.

    • @adventuresinnostalgia
      @adventuresinnostalgia  8 місяців тому

      Thanks for the kind words! That's a great suggestion about weather stations and retro computers. I'm always looking for new video ideas, would you be interested in a beginner's guide to setting up one of those, or something more advanced?

  • @3sixtybubba133
    @3sixtybubba133 3 роки тому +2

    Im just seeing this video after taking my family old pre built pc to school to take apart that media server wouldve been so helpful right about now

    • @adventuresinnostalgia
      @adventuresinnostalgia  2 роки тому

      Did you happen to get that computer back from the school?

    • @3sixtybubba133
      @3sixtybubba133 2 роки тому

      @@adventuresinnostalgia nahh lol that was 2 years ago lol

  • @FirestoneAnimation
    @FirestoneAnimation Рік тому +2

    Where I work we have some old computers just collecting dust waiting to hear from IT what they'll do with it. After binging some PC building and watching old computers being used, I figured to ask my dad (manager there) if I could take one of them with me to tinker with. Still waiting to hear

  • @Mrshoujo
    @Mrshoujo Рік тому +2

    I use an old computer for specialized tasks.
    I use a Win98SE desktop to copy DVDs.
    I have a slow cobbled together Win2K / XP to make DVDs from video files.
    A WinME just for reading old hard drives and copying to a flash drive and converting the occasional AOL .art picture file.
    A recovered WinXP Pro tower for connecting hard drives to clone with Clonezilla booted from CD.

    • @adventuresinnostalgia
      @adventuresinnostalgia  8 місяців тому

      That's a really interesting way to repurpose old machines for specific tasks! Out of all your retro machines, which one has been the most surprisingly useful for you?

  • @gamepad3173
    @gamepad3173 3 роки тому +6

    I'm in the process of building out an entire network using the server,surveillance and retro gaming ideas (hence why I'd rather build up a LAN center for older versions of Windows just for that reason). along with a firewall and router (wouldn't hurt to have more devices to plug in). since I am going to the way of security.

    • @gamepad3173
      @gamepad3173 3 роки тому

      @@adventuresinnostalgia I'll be sure to,in fact my Firewall is nearly ready to go just needs a firewall OS like IP fire.

    • @adventuresinnostalgia
      @adventuresinnostalgia  2 роки тому

      That sounds fun! Let us know how it goes

  • @chucku00
    @chucku00 2 роки тому +3

    Ther's a usage you can also have (tangential with an arcade station) : use it to emulate older computers or game consoles. Win XP and even Win98 have a lot of emulators.

  • @kovacsdavid4362
    @kovacsdavid4362 3 роки тому +10

    I mean yeah, I have an old Dell PC, and I upgraded it with a GPU, and some RAM. Still runs Windows perfectly, but it doesn't have to. I use Linux.
    Great video though.

    • @dcfuksurmom
      @dcfuksurmom 2 роки тому +1

      My desktop doesn't like anything newer than Windows 7, despite being from around 2016, yet Linux runs beautifully. I use Artix BTW. (technically I dualboot with WIndows 11, but Artix is the main OS)

    • @adventuresinnostalgia
      @adventuresinnostalgia  8 місяців тому

      That's awesome! Upgrading and using Linux with an older machine breathes new life into it. What kind of Linux distro are you running on your Dell PC?

  • @depoka1420
    @depoka1420 4 місяці тому +1

    Fun fact : The kids first PC part applied to me but rather than playing fortnite i played stuff like portal 2 for 18 hours

  • @macblink
    @macblink Рік тому

    retro gaming/emulation or surveillance system are my favorite options 👌🏻

    • @adventuresinnostalgia
      @adventuresinnostalgia  Рік тому

      I would like to make a video about emulation. Something along the lines of a tutorial on how to get started. The problem is it's a very fine line between acceptable use and piracy.

  • @MorningNapalm
    @MorningNapalm 18 днів тому

    1:30 "The reason is that" Thank you thank you thank you. I really hate hearing "the reason is because". Also, nice ideas. I will probably turn my old Mac Mini into a home server, and my old PC into an arcade machine, or vice versa.

  • @matthewday7565
    @matthewday7565 3 роки тому +10

    I wouldn't be inclined to use a particularly old computer for distributed computing, as the contribution is likely to be low for the power consumed.
    Running Android-X86 is another possible use.
    The world of retro can also pose interesting challenges - sometimes you need it to be fast enough, other times you need it to be SLOW ENOUGH

    • @matthewday7565
      @matthewday7565 3 роки тому

      @@adventuresinnostalgia Just noticed, it seems you don't get chapter markings on the video progress unless you start with an 00:00 Entry

    • @adventuresinnostalgia
      @adventuresinnostalgia  8 місяців тому

      That's a great point about distributed computing on older machines! For someone curious about trying it, do you think there's a certain age/power threshold where it becomes more trouble than it's worth?

  • @the4thj
    @the4thj Рік тому +1

    Do you have any pointers on where to look step by step on some of these?

    • @adventuresinnostalgia
      @adventuresinnostalgia  7 місяців тому

      I'm always looking for ways to expand my content. which of the 15 things from the video were you most interested in tackling?

  • @Arcobite
    @Arcobite 2 роки тому +1

    Amazing ideas thanks bro.

  • @jasonmadello7345
    @jasonmadello7345 Місяць тому

    This is to you. What would be my best way of myself using the old dell cpu unit from 1990 if its broken.

  • @DeadCat-42
    @DeadCat-42 7 днів тому

    I'm using an atari st as a clock, calendar, cd and music player etc.

  • @Freedom4Ever420
    @Freedom4Ever420 Місяць тому

    16. You can use the chips to make fashionable jewelry

  • @f3rn4n2x3str3ll4
    @f3rn4n2x3str3ll4 Рік тому

    This is such a great list!

    • @adventuresinnostalgia
      @adventuresinnostalgia  8 місяців тому

      Thank you! Which idea are you most excited to try with your old computer?

  • @parthaprateempatra4278
    @parthaprateempatra4278 3 роки тому +2

    I think I am going to use my old PC as a surveillance system.

    • @HiddenAgendas
      @HiddenAgendas Рік тому +1

      NSA: Welcome to the team. (But we just use your iphone).

    • @adventuresinnostalgia
      @adventuresinnostalgia  8 місяців тому

      That's a great idea! Are you planning to use it for indoor or outdoor surveillance?

  • @t8polestarcyan22
    @t8polestarcyan22 Рік тому +1

    To me, it's a big crime to simply throw old computers into a rubbish bin which will end up to a landfill. Even if motherboards and other internal parts are useless, the case still can be very useful. I've bought an old Intel Core i3 and turning it into our NAS.

    • @adventuresinnostalgia
      @adventuresinnostalgia  Рік тому +1

      A crime indeed! if there are laws for littering there should be laws against destroying old computers. Time is relative. what are old computers to us may be "Historical Artifacts" in the future

    • @t8polestarcyan22
      @t8polestarcyan22 Рік тому

      @@adventuresinnostalgia Buying a brand new case can cost at least four times compared to buying an old machine if you're lucky.

    • @adventuresinnostalgia
      @adventuresinnostalgia  7 місяців тому

      That's a great point! Even upgrading an older machine can be super budget friendly. For viewers who might be interested in this route, are there any specific components you'd recommend looking for in a used case to ensure compatibility?

  • @AnnkurKumar
    @AnnkurKumar Рік тому +1

    I am totally clueless to what it is called! !! But I am very clear what I want to swith my old desktop pc. I want use it as thing to access any data from ,on my primary laptop. And can stream any content directly TV an can access data remotely via ip address. Can you tell what it called I technical language and how can I make on using my 10+ years old desktop !!?

    • @adventuresinnostalgia
      @adventuresinnostalgia  Рік тому +2

      Using a PC for storing and accessing data over a network would be either a file server or network attached storage. Streaming media to devices like a TV would be a "media center". There is software called Plex which is commonly used for that purpose so you may see it called. Plex server

    • @AnnkurKumar
      @AnnkurKumar Рік тому

      @@adventuresinnostalgia are media server and file server

    • @AnnkurKumar
      @AnnkurKumar Рік тому +1

      @@adventuresinnostalgia can both be combined !! vis having capability of acceccing files on desktop laptop or multiple pc's on a personal interenet network and can stream videos on tv too. Is there anything as such. I am based in India.

    • @adventuresinnostalgia
      @adventuresinnostalgia  7 місяців тому

      absolutely, you can have one PC fill many roles as long as all of the supporting applications can run on the same operating system e.g. Windows or Linux

  • @superduperboyx
    @superduperboyx 3 роки тому +2

    I'd like to refresh an old desktop to donate, but I hate that people can UNDELETE data from hard drives..so it sucks to give away a perfectly fine PC without a hard drive 😑

    • @adventuresinnostalgia
      @adventuresinnostalgia  3 роки тому +3

      The wipe feature in CCleaner is good and DBAN is an alternative. 3 passes of writing all zeros should be sufficient to prevent any data from being retrieved

    • @Kasi11
      @Kasi11 2 роки тому

      Just put in a new HDD, they arent expencive

    • @yotoprules9361
      @yotoprules9361 2 роки тому

      I like to use a tool called NWIPE

    • @adventuresinnostalgia
      @adventuresinnostalgia  7 місяців тому

      @yotoprules9361 That's interesting! I haven't heard of NWIPE before. Can you tell us a bit more about what it does and how it helps you reuse an old computer?

  • @josephrose4530
    @josephrose4530 2 роки тому +2

    I do Clean outs. Mobile Homes. Sheds. Houses. I will even clean out a Business. People Leave stuff behind. I generally Scrap or Pawn or Resale what I can. Flat screen TVs TVs. Old electronics they want money to tale usually. So I have quite a bit. .

    • @josephrose4530
      @josephrose4530 2 роки тому

      Location I am at. They are like So a Tv I can get for like 200 dollars instead of dealing with it. But then here comes Inflation.

    • @adventuresinnostalgia
      @adventuresinnostalgia  2 роки тому

      Sounds like you have a good bit of parts to work with to Frankenstein something cool together

  • @dreamingflurry2729
    @dreamingflurry2729 Рік тому

    Hmpf...I was the (glad) recipient of hand me down computers back when I was a kid (my dad was never the enthusiast gamer back back in the early 90's there were no gaming computers, so a regular machine, even if a few years old, was fine)...now it is me who gives my dad (some! Not everything! I am keeping my old desktop from 2011 around, because it makes for a decent backup machine!) his old hardware (especially since I know that I'll get it back if I truly need it again, which has happened when a newer device stopped working and I was without any computer and yeah, almost any machine is better than non - within reason! Having a computer that only does browsers and word processors as a slide-show? Yeah, unusable!)

    • @adventuresinnostalgia
      @adventuresinnostalgia  Рік тому

      That's cool that you get to hand stuff down to your dad! I like this story. Very true that something is better than nothing, within reason

  • @shahzadmughal7666
    @shahzadmughal7666 3 роки тому +1

    When you say old pc, how old it should be I mean core 2 due would do this all things ?

    • @Santor-
      @Santor- 2 роки тому

      Depends on the machine. I have an old 2009 core 2 duo Lenovo laptop, that I occasionally use for work, if working from home. Granted, its upgraded to the hilt, with the "Extreme" series of Core 2 duo, 16Gb ram, win 10 pro etc, and Im very experienced eeking out maximum power of any computer system, but it proves the point; a core 2 due system can be usable in 2022 with no perceivable performance issues, if managed properly.
      If your only having 1 or two computers though, id highly recommend something newer. In my experience, it really comes down to how much ram you can fit. Any machine that takes 8Gb or less, as maximum installed memory, isnt really usable anymore, in the real world. Or, you have to adjust how you use the computer. I mean, sure, you can still run an old win 98 laptop with 64 mb ram, but you cant do what we do with new computers today.

    • @adventuresinnostalgia
      @adventuresinnostalgia  2 роки тому

      I released a follow up video to this that talks about that. Core 2 duo should be good for the mentioned projects

  • @baslielalene5971
    @baslielalene5971 2 роки тому

    Thanks.

  • @chuckfinley5206
    @chuckfinley5206 2 роки тому

    Got a place that gives me electronics. Gave me a lot of ideas for the 30 or so I have. Rather than just stack them up.

    • @adventuresinnostalgia
      @adventuresinnostalgia  2 роки тому

      While stacking and dust collecting are pretty cool on their own, I'm glad you found something cooler to do with those systems

    • @chuckfinley5206
      @chuckfinley5206 2 роки тому

      @@adventuresinnostalgia the real issue has been the printers. And about 80 or so monitors.

    • @adventuresinnostalgia
      @adventuresinnostalgia  7 місяців тому

      Depending on the age of the printers there are some interesting things you can do with them. If they can connect to a network wirelessly, chances are they can also function as an access point. Also, some have a task scheduling function where you can give it a URL like to a news site and have it print the page for you in the morning. My Grandpa always had a newspaper delivered in the morning. It was pretty mind blowing for him to see the printer do that automatically.

  • @Mixxo6
    @Mixxo6 3 роки тому

    I have a HUGE black pc in the garage and I’m thinking about trying to see if it works. Wish me luck.

  • @jackilynpyzocha662
    @jackilynpyzocha662 8 місяців тому

    One other channel gutted out an iMac(crt) and made it into a cat condo! Cool!

    • @adventuresinnostalgia
      @adventuresinnostalgia  8 місяців тому

      Wow, an iMac cat condo sounds amazing! Have you seen the video? I'd love to try that myself.

  • @limo9402
    @limo9402 3 роки тому

    Will a new motherboard support a old CPU like i5 2th gen?

    • @Kasi11
      @Kasi11 2 роки тому

      All of the supported sockets and CPUs is listed in the mainborad description

    • @adventuresinnostalgia
      @adventuresinnostalgia  2 роки тому

      Generally, no. There are some motherboards designed so support 2 generations of hardware so you can upgrade from one to the other without having to buy everything all at once

  • @bretthagey7916
    @bretthagey7916 2 місяці тому

    They make good ottomans.

  • @joshbatchelor535
    @joshbatchelor535 2 роки тому

    I watched this whole video just to get to 8:33 and turn my volume to 100%....

  • @donlew8222
    @donlew8222 17 днів тому

    Is windows xp still a thing anymore? Still have a couple towers that gather dust is all. Honestly, I am concidering a new laptop, maybe. BUT I haven't had a need for a computer since mine became useless some ten or so years ago. I just surf on my android smart phone. Guessing I got tired of the monthly fees associated with it.. That being said, I still want to exodus these old towers of mine. They just sit here.

  • @BlackLink0
    @BlackLink0 10 місяців тому

    What should i do with my pentium 3

  • @TheLightingPerson
    @TheLightingPerson 3 роки тому +1

    Even though I'm first, hey, I think it's a good idea.

  • @ToastedHeadcrab
    @ToastedHeadcrab Рік тому

    I would make use of my old pc if every click did not take a minute or longer to register

    • @adventuresinnostalgia
      @adventuresinnostalgia  Рік тому

      Hey there! I understand your frustration. It can be really frustrating when your old computer is so slow that it takes a minute or longer to register every click. There are a few things you can do to try to speed up your old computer. First, *make sure that you have all of the latest updates installed* . Outdated software can sometimes cause performance issues.
      You can also try to *free up some space on your hard drive* . Old files and programs that you don't use can take up a lot of space and slow down your computer. If you've tried all of these things and your computer is still running slowly, you may need to *upgrade your hardware* . A new hard drive or more RAM can make a big difference in the speed of your computer.
      Here are some additional tips that you can include in your reply:
      *Use a lightweight operating system* . If you're running an old version of Windows or macOS, consider switching to a lightweight operating system like Linux. Lightweight operating systems are designed to run on older hardware and can often improve performance significantly.
      *Upgrade your hard drive* . If your computer has a traditional hard drive, consider upgrading to a solid-state drive (SSD). SSDs are much faster than traditional hard drives and can make a big difference in the overall speed of your computer.
      *Add more RAM* . RAM is the memory that your computer uses to store data that it's currently using. Adding more RAM can help your computer run more programs at the same time and improve performance overall.
      I hope these tips help you to make use of your old PC!

  • @AlphanPeter
    @AlphanPeter Рік тому

    I play my 16 bit old games on my windows Xp 32 bit version laptop

    • @ItachiUchiha-ny6di
      @ItachiUchiha-ny6di Рік тому

      I just use an emulator.

    • @adventuresinnostalgia
      @adventuresinnostalgia  7 місяців тому

      That's awesome! Retro gaming on an XP machine sounds like a blast from the past. What are some of your favorite 16-bit games to play on it?

    • @adventuresinnostalgia
      @adventuresinnostalgia  7 місяців тому

      @ItachiUchiha-ny6di Between work, family, and world of warcraft i sadly don't have time to enjoy some of my old favorites. there is something I've always wanted to try in Earthbound, but I don't know where my cart is off hand. What is the go-to emulator for the 16-bit era?

  • @sevensupergirlsbackup9086
    @sevensupergirlsbackup9086 3 роки тому +1

    How about online school.

    • @adventuresinnostalgia
      @adventuresinnostalgia  8 місяців тому

      Intriguing question! It depends on the age of the computer. Have you tried using an old computer for online school? What were your experiences?

  • @9852323
    @9852323 Рік тому

    The computer in the thumbnail isn’t really old. I have one with a quad core and 16gb ram

  • @VooDooTube...
    @VooDooTube... 4 місяці тому

    You can also turn it into a fish tank.

    • @adventuresinnostalgia
      @adventuresinnostalgia  3 місяці тому

      I believe that falls under the "art" category which is not an ideal use of old computers

  • @fgfgfgfgf2919
    @fgfgfgfgf2919 3 роки тому

    how about old mac os ?

    • @fgfgfgfgf2919
      @fgfgfgfgf2919 3 роки тому

      @@adventuresinnostalgia yes like g3 and g4 ?

    • @adventuresinnostalgia
      @adventuresinnostalgia  8 місяців тому

      Great question! G3s and G4s are awesome retro Macs. What kind of practical things were you hoping to do with yours?

  • @billiejones3587
    @billiejones3587 3 роки тому +1

    Wish I had my old one my mother almost killed mr with it

  • @TheGuruTech
    @TheGuruTech 3 роки тому +1

    1:00 This is NOT how you recap. Is this horrible soldering job for real?

    • @adventuresinnostalgia
      @adventuresinnostalgia  8 місяців тому

      Hi there, thanks for your comment! the soldering might not be perfect close-up. Were you referring to a specific technique at 1:00 that you think could be improved?

  • @damrooa
    @damrooa Рік тому

    I would rather run Windows2000 as my main operating system but not H as Hackintosh and neither LINUX!!

  • @lawnside82
    @lawnside82 Рік тому

    And replace that hd with SSD!!!

    • @adventuresinnostalgia
      @adventuresinnostalgia  7 місяців тому

      That's a fantastic tip! Upgrading to an SSD can make a huge difference. For viewers who might be new to this, could you share a sentence or two on the benefits of using an SSD in an older computer?

  • @littletimmythefifth29
    @littletimmythefifth29 2 роки тому

    Here at 86,425 views. :]

  • @kevinsantiago260
    @kevinsantiago260 2 роки тому

    I to was a foster kid

    • @adventuresinnostalgia
      @adventuresinnostalgia  8 місяців тому

      Thanks for sharing. That must have been a tough experience. Is there anything in the video that you think might be helpful for foster kids?

  • @LoganKaval
    @LoganKaval Рік тому

    I use Linux on my new pc.

    • @adventuresinnostalgia
      @adventuresinnostalgia  Рік тому

      How has that been working out for you? Give us all the juicy details!

    • @LoganKaval
      @LoganKaval Рік тому

      @@adventuresinnostalgia It's great FreeCAD works well Prusa Slicer has a download that works well. Privacy is great and there is less bloat wear exponentially with Linux Mint. I use MX Linux and I have no regrets. Even on my knew computer with good hardware it works fine.

  • @vancegosselin
    @vancegosselin 29 днів тому

    Recycle it