My typical use would be as an e-book reader (PDFs mostly), movies, and web browsing. However, something I would really like to use it for is to manage a home control, monitoring, and security systems. Would be a nice device to control lighting, temp, and access security cameras. Really would like to get back into tinkering around again.
My suggestion is that you would install some broader distro, Debian or Zubuntu for example. I have Debian on my 3100,
more than 29 000 programs to choose from. Then just do some googling, linux home automation.
I use my Z as a gps device, calculator(!), take notes, music player and when travelling, as web surfing platform, and whatever
possible with tiny display and keyboard. That is a lot
Openbox makes X quite responsive, other light dm:s are available too. Many pdf readers also, xpdf lightweight.