optimal operating system per hardware

this webpage was designed in the hopes of getting some feedback for what operating system and software environment is best for various pieces of non-current computer hardware. the criteria i want these systems to meet is that they have a reasonably robust user experience and they have some degree of security or at least one can establish to what degree they are at risk and that can be worked around (ie. getting online with the machine, but not ever entering a credit card number or important password). also, i'm looking for as fully-fledged a user experience as possible. i mean a 286 running dos might be ok for text-based email, web, and usenet access, but come on, graphics are nice. please email me at joemess@mail.utexas.edu if you have any feedback to add to the usefulness or amusement of this site, please email me.

systems 700MHz+ : current flavors of windows and linux, with current browsers
systems 300-700MHz : windows 2000, linux? firefox browser
after this, to what degree can one hope to be remotely secure running any earlier version of windows?

systems 166-300MHz : windows 98 se, linux? browser?
systems pentium 75-166MHz : windows 95 release 2, linux? browser?

systems 386-33 - 486-120MHz : windows 3.1.1, linux? browser?
systems up to 386 : dos with lynx web browser, text-based email and usenet
now i need to look into the possibilities of using a 386 with a cable modem.

again, please email me with any suggestions, discussion, recommendations, hardware or software donations? any relevant abandoneware/freeware related to these inquiries.
take care,
joe

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