> From:    Mike Curtis <[log in to unmask]>
>
> Hi all -
> I have been asked by a friend to help buy/build a computer for her daughter
> starting college this fall.  The college has provided some basic specs as
> follows:
>
> Pentium 200 or better
> 64 MB RAM
> Win 95/98/NT
> 500 MB free hard drive space
> Virus protection software

I recommend F-PROT.  It is free to non-commercial users and can be downloaded
from:
      ftp://ftp.simtel.net/pub/simtelnet/msdos/virus/fp-xxx.zip
or   http://www.simtel.net/pub/simtelnet/msdos/virus/fp-xxx.zip

(Also found at simtel MIRROR sites that may be closer to home.)

where xxx is the version number, currently 305. (.../fp-305.zip)

I also recommend that you show her how to download the latest version, to
keep up with the ever-growing list of viruses.  It found and removed a
virus on my system that had previously been undetected by four other
well-known anti-virus softwares that I had failed to keep current.
(My fault, not theirs.)

I believe the next version is due to come out in September...

> 10BaseT network card (either Intel Ether Express or 3 Com Ethernet card)
>
> If anyone would like to respond with comments/suggestions on a balanced
> solution that falls between low cost and longevity that would be great.  I
> don't think anything she gets today will likely meet the minimum standard 4
> years from now so I am leaning toward to lower cost approach, especially
> given the other costs that are coming up right now for them.
>
> Thanks in advance for your replies,
> Mike Curtis

One last thought, check to see if an adequate, or upgradable, used system
(possibly a convenient laptop) is available locally.  Bear in mind that
the convenience of a laptop also carries a high risk of loss by theft or
breakage.

Boyd Ramsay

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