I have 2.6.8-1-386 installed on a Pentium 167, other than being sluggish everything works. Should I install kernel-image 2.6.8-1-686 or leave it as 2.6.8-1-386, there isn't a 2.6.8-1-586.

stick with the 386 image for your beat box or better yet, compile a new kernel yourself (might want to do that on a faster machine). is this machine going to be a workstation? server? how much ram/swap does your system have? are you trying to run x? keep those these in mind when you're wondering about performance.

Actually when I learned that Linux existed (about 6 months ago), I pulled this old computer out of the closet. I felt it was better to learn on a computer that did not have my business and everyday software on it. In fact, I have been able to get the old computer with enough software that is similar to the MS system that I have started using it a little to do some of my work. I just brought in a SFF computer that will be running an AMD athlon XP 3200. Except for a couple of specialized programs I will be able to get away from MS completely in the near future.

My next learning experience is to compile my own kernels!?