For my own reference, and in case someone else might be interested,
here are the basic specifications for a fairly simple Gnu-Linux-based
system I assembled in Tulsa in September of 2004.

I depended mostly on this site.:

       http://arstechnica.com

and in particular, on

       http://arstechnica.com/guide/system/ultimatebudget.html

Based on previous experiences trying to order from multiple companies,
this time I just got everything from newegg.com.

The assembly presented no serious problems.   I didn't think the spring
that holds down the CPU heaksink was as strong and tight as others that I've
wrestled with before.   I'm going to have to figure out how to monitor
the CPU temperature.    But I think it probably is okay as is.

Also, I initially failed to install properly a substitute face plate for the motherboard external
connectors (mouse, keyboard, etc.).  The case came with two such
faceplates.  The one I needed was not installed at the factory.   When
I installed the alternate, I didn't get it seated correctly, and had various
problems until I took the half-installed motherboard back out and reseated
the face plate.

It was a little hard to tell which front-panel wires attached to which
points on the motherboard.  The labels on the wires weren't exactly the same
as the terms used in the motherboard booklet.   But evidently I guessed right.

I first checked out the hardware with Knoppix.   Then I installed Fedora2.

Note that this setup has no expansion cards.   Video, sound, and network
functions are all built into the motherboard.   Neither Knoppix nor Fedora
had any problems recognizing them, and all seem to be working.

It seems to be a quiet system.   I don't hear anything unless I put my
ear against the case. 

Following is the list of components, from the newegg.com invoice.   It's a bit
cryptic, but you can probably figure it out.   I paid some
extra for FedEx 2nd-day delivery.

All in all, it was pretty painless.

===========================================================

Qty Product Description   Unit Price Extended Price
1
MSE LOGITECH|SBF96 OPTCL WHL PS/2%
Item# N82E16826104155
$9.00
 
$9.00
 
1
HD 160GB|SAMSUNG 7200 SP1604N 2MB %
Item# N82E16822152011
$88.00
 
$88.00
 
1
CDRW LTON|52X32X52 SOHR-5238S WH%
Item# N82E16827106939
$28.50
 
$28.50
 
1
KB LITE-ON|STANDARD 104-KEYS RETAIL
Item# N82E16823107118
$5.50
 
$5.50
 
1
MB NFORCE2 A7N8X-VM/400 ASUS RTL
Item# N82E16813131483
$83.00
 
$83.00
 
1
CPU AMD|2500/333 ATHLON XP BARTON R
Item# N82E16819103379
$90.00
 
$90.00
 
2
DDRAM 256MB|32X64 PC3200B 8TC3 CRL%
Item# N82E16820146533
$53.00
 
$106.00
 
1
MNTR NEC|17" CRT AS750F
Item# N82E16824002216
$122.00
 
$122.00
 
1
CASE ANTEC|Sever Tower SLK1600
Item# N82E16811129121
$48.50
 
$48.50
 
  tax: $.00
  subtotal: $580.50
  1 year extended warranty fee: $0.00
  Shipping & Handling: $53.79
  Grand Total: $634.29