I haven't read all the posts in this thread, but an old version of redhat would work.

Thanks for this. Several months ago I did see an article saying that older versions of Linux will work. However, with time these are
disappearing slowly as there is less need for them.

For now, my older PCs are working ok with Puppy Linux. I use them for light browsing, email, streaming net radio and to display pictures that I sketch, paint.

As an aside, rather than just the technology, end of use of the PC towards arts is more of my interest.

I dont think that ARM and other low powered CPUs are going to take over quite like that.

You can already get those sorts of CPUs on tablets, phones, etc.. The advantage of using low power architectures (right now anyway) is small size, low cost, low power consumption, and in some cases flexability.

x86 is higher in cost, and does use more power......but they have a lot of performance.

The 'trend' toward lower power use and lower performance is already mainstream.

People who buy desktops and x86 laptops want a bit more performance than the low power architectures currently provide.

ARM etc. will get closer to x86 performance, but that will still be at some cost, both in price and power consumption.

People may 'upgrade' to newer systems just because its newer, but that is being stupid IMO. Buy what you need and can afford, use it until- it breaks, or it is cheaper to run a newer system (due to power consumption improvments) or it stops being able to do what you want it to do.

Puppy never seemed to be good idea on minimal RAM systems.

Have you tried Antix or Crunchbang for a comparison?

Would probably work, it is a really bad idea.

Do not use unsupported OSes. Or OSes that you need to pay a subscription for to get secrity updates if you arent going to pay (and if you've got enough money to give Red Hat for support, you've got enough money to buy a newer system that can run a current OS).

Thanks for the very informative post as usual. See, I am a very basic user as I said before with focus being more on using these PCs to support my sketching, painting efforts and basic net use. Puppy works very well on these PCs for these purposes, helps me forget the technology and focus more on my art.

To be fair, I have to admit tho, that such old PCs are no good for digital painting. Digital arts and digital software, video editing etc., are quite resource intensive. The CPU is just unable to handle the demands of the software and it crashed once when I made a very simple picture for a test and tried to erase a small part. So, if one really needs performance and digital art etc., it is best to play it safe and get a good, more recent PC.

Digital sketching seems ok from what I have tried tho. Fortunately, I don't have to actually use all this for now.

Why you simply dont browse over the framebuffer with links2 -g ?
For office, you can still use many applications (ex. cliword, clispread,...)

For tex, you can use emacs
For chat, irssi

For pic viewing and movies: mplayer on fb

and so on.

All above are working except movies and youtube. However, these are not vital for me at this point.

A few clarifications are due:
1. I used to like movies before. However, the advantage of net radio is that it allows me to do other things while listening to it.
It doesn't keep me glued to the screen.
2. In the last few months I have learned that if it is working well, then leave it alone, don't meddle with it. The only exception to this is when there is a vital learning experience.
3. Rather than to try and fit the technology to myself, I try to see what I wish to accomplish and how this PC will help me do that.
Other than net radio, email and basic surfing, most of my objectives are artistic.

These points above greatly influence the way I use my older PCs. Presently, I am able to use them peacefully with contentment.

Let us focus on the applications of my old PC a bit. This makes it more interesting and hopefully will generate discussions along these lines of applications of Older PCs for the mutual benefit of all those interested.

1. Art from Photos displayed on old PC
As an artist, I display photos on my old PC. Then I make art based on them. Some stamp sized color pencil landscape art that I made recently
can be found below:
http://picpaste.com/pics/RYg1u8da.1376091330.jpeg

These stamp sized paintings are:
a. Convenient to carry
b. Easy to mail
c. Easy to store
d. Good for small apartment, work cubicle etc.,

2. Net Radio
a. I like to stream Echo Moscovitch sometimes as I don't know the language, so don't have to worry about the contents and it sort of is soothing.
b. Old Time Radio Shows
These are amazing to listen, the different actors, background sound and sound effects are amazing.
Small files of these are also available for DL for free on archive.org
Some single CDs can be purchased for cheap on net, there is also a big 136 DVD collection for 500 bucks, it is tempting but not sure who will
find time to listen to all that.

3. Audiobooks
Lots of classic audiobooks for free at Librivox.org. A single audiobook can run for 11 hours or so. Hence, it is better to listen a few chapters at a time. I prefer to listen to short story collections. Best part is that these are all free for DL at librivox. Many new titles added every week.

4. Movies
A few years ago, I used to watch classic older movies from archive.org or those borrowed from my local library. However, I prefer 2 and 3 above as it also allows me to do 1(art) or other things at the same time.

5. Journal
I used to keep an eJournal briefly a few years before but then, these days I prefer to use pen and paper or pencil and paper mostly.

6. Rough Sketching
For sketching also, mostly I prefer pen and paper. However, eSketching is good to save a partially done sketch and then explore different variations of it. This is very useful for study. Then the best variation can be used for pen and pencil.

7. Games
These are less graphic intensive, first person shooter games and some puzzles like sokoban etc.,
I have played them before sometimes but rarely play them these days. They come along with Puppy Linux mostly.

8. Normal Misc. Uses
Web surfing, email, calculations.

If your older PC serves you well for any specific application not mentioned above, please share here. This will be a good learning experience for me. Thanks in advance.

Someone suggested that I try weebly.com to build a small web-site. Weebly site editor is all greyed out and will not load on this older PC (P4 server) with Puppy Linux and seamonkey browser. Just sharing this experience for now, will reflect more on it.

I have reduced the use of old PC for Old Time Radio Shows. Instead I am able to DL OTR episodes directly to my mp3 player directly from here:
http://archive.org/details/OTRR_Gunsmoke_Singles

This is also convenient considering transportation.

cool... is there some stream open for that? mor ethan 50 years

There is a stream, it is under puppy radio in puppy linux. I don't have exact link for it. Google for it and am sure you will find it.

EDIT: This could be the one. Try this:
http://mpir-otr.com/menu/

it shall be created or added to fretuxtv ... those streams

Oh cool. See the OTRs are amazing for their music and special effects. Really cool and relaxing to listen. The only thing about the stream I find is that, you have listen to what they play, even if you don't like it. Normally, it is ok to listen tho. However, if you slowly DL and create your own collection, then you can listen to whatever you wish and are not limited, cornered to what they are playing.

FREE audiobooks from Librivox.org are also amazing. However, these don't have special effects and good sounds. If one can ignore this(comes with time) then one can easily get a wide variety of media to listen to. It is a lot slower than reading a real book but the effect is very deep, specially if one is feeling lonely, bored or on a very cold day etc., I listened to one Chapter of an Audiobook today, Russian Short Stories and it gave me some extremely deep satisfaction. A stream for these is out of the question tho, as many audiobooks run for 10 hours+. Perhaps, who knows tho, in the future, librivox may have a stream of short stories alone. They can have ads inbetween that will support the service and user requests etc.,