Hello David!

  DB> Unless you tell it otherwise it will compile for the
    > chip family - 386 to P4 will all compile the same
    > binary package.

That's very good news: it makes life a lot more simple than
I had feared!

  DB> You probably want to look at a custom kernel when you
    > have some time - to squeeze some more out of the
    > machine.

Someone has very kindly compiled a custom kernel for me
(perhaps I shouldn't mention their name, or everyone will
want one! ;-)  You're right, it has re-claimed a *lot* of
memory for one thing!

Regards,
  - Andy.