Since my last post on this topic, 29 Feb., I have expanded my hardware to include a new(used) box for backup and duplicated Linux functions. I have no need for high specification video or sound. My approach is just to have fun and to keep a simple, with no need for constant upgrades, safe setup. I prefer to use 'live' Linux CD running in RAM. The new(used) box has more RAM than my best previous favorite box and a CD plus a CDRW so it should be good if the older one fails. I bought four similar new Maxtor 10 GB hard drives as spares years ago and only one is a little used so they should last quite a while. Linux Mint 12, Knoppix 5.1.1 and Puppy 5.2.5 work well and give me lots of choices. The upgrade has 768 MB ram, 1.8 GHz, 40 GB hdd, CD, CDRW, ethernet, usb and cost forty dollars, ( $40.00 ) so I can get back to the fun.