I had just finished grad school, and underemployed with plenty of time on my hands, I built my own server using an old laptop. Then I set it up as a private collaborative blogging and photo sharing system for my friends and family. This was pre-MAMP, so I just built up each level starting with Apache, and ending with WordPress. This was before Flickr, and Facebook, but what I built was an all-in-one system to communicate and share info. I chose WordPress because, at the time, it was the only system that could integrate with all the pieces I wanted to use (photo gallery, forum, wiki, etc.). Also that Kubrick theme was pretty hot!
Contact
Website: http://www.cafenoirdesign.com
Twitter: @cafenoirdesign
