hey brad...
IMO, linux is a viable option for a home pc if you have someone farily knowledgable about linux install and setup the pc and then lock it down so the user can't mess much up
When this is done (like I did to my father) the pc runs fine for months and months and months... unlike winxp, which my father managed to install everything under the sun on, every virus managed to find its way into the pc cuz he kept turning off the mcafee by accident and so much spyware/adware/scumware you couldnt turn on the computer without it attempting to dial madagascar 10x... and he didnt have a modem! (thank god).
Of course, with the linux option you need someone experienced to do occassional support... like when my pops suddenly decided it was a good idea to pick up a crappy old inkjet printer for $200 when they are $90 new... and finding drivers was a big pain... etc.
Invigor - that ram is pretty good. Not the best, but a decent deal for price/perf ratio consideration. Before ordering thru ncix, whom I have used before, but the order was 3 weeks late, try my buddy felix at synapsis.ca. He is really customer service oriented and will ship.