I think that the basic idea is a good one, and that unless she is
experienced with computers or wants to use it for a special
purpose, she won't be happy without Windows.
Some more specific comments:

> I'm about to set up a computer for a friend and since
> she's on a (very) tight budget I suggested that she
> should spend her money on the best hardware she can
> afford,

I agree that she should use the best QUALITY hardware, but if she
buys some out-of-the-box package without taking her own needs
into account, she will be paying for things she just has no use for.
For example, I bought my machine with a much simpler and more
lower powered sound system than was in style at the time, since I
don't care much about listening to music on my gray box.  My
previous machine had no sound card or external speakers at all; I
used the box's internal speaker and the old Windows 3.x speaker
driver, which can still be downloaded from MS.  Good enough for
warning beeps.

Another example: if she's not going to use the computer for playing
games or watching imitation television, she doesn't need a state-of-
the-art video card.

She should probably stay away from a DVD or anything like a Zip
Drive under all circumstances, until she gets rich, and she might
even want to pass up on a CD-RW for now.

Which box to buy?  Even at a constant level of quality, this will
determine much of the price.  She will not save money buy building
her own system.  She should either buy a brand name ready-made
- Compaq, Dell, Gateway or whatever - or a good Brand X.  In my
experience, and that of many people smarter than me, a GOOD
Brand X is a much better value.  If you buy a name brand, you will
be paying a large premium for service and support which you will
never get, and you've got no guarantee of better quality.

You will probably save a lot of money in the long run by first buying
Russell Walter's *Secret Guide to Computers*.  I think it still costs
less than $20, and his chapters about how to BUY a computer are
the best I've seen.


> I've drawn up a list as follows:
> Firewall:       Zone Alarm
An excellent choice.

> Antivirus:      InnoculateIT or AVG
I don't think that InoculateIt has their free offer any more.  AVG
seems good.

> Download Manager: Download Express
I don't know Download Express, but I'm very satisfied with
DLExpert.

> System Protection:  SystemSafe Gold
> Compression Utility:  PowerZip
> Graphics Viewer:  InfranView
> Browser:  Internet Explorer
> Uninstaller: Windows' Add/Remove
> Mail Client: Outlook Express
I use Pegasus Mail, also free, but it's a matter of taste and her
experience.  If she's new to computing, OE might be better for her
both because it's more standard and because if gives her fewer
options to worry about.
> News Reader: Outlook Express
> PDF Reader:  Acrobat Reader

Thank you.
David Jonathan Justman

      "Hold No Punches.." Rode brings you great shareware/freeware
        programs with his honest opinions in this weekly column.
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