Points I'd like to make for anyone thinking of going old pc and the NIX route:


* The pc should have at least 64 megs of ram (more is always better)

* Open the case for the old computer and verify it's slots are PCI standard
on the motherboard so you'll know the cards will fit and you won't end up making
a wasted trip to the computer store.

* Check the support pages to see if the Nic card you have is supported

* Keep up with the patches and security updates

Recommended Nix Firewalls:
---------------------------------

http://www.dubbele.com/

This firewall is based on Netbsd operating system it's not hard to setup or
configure, you have to download a few files to make some boot disks then you can ftp
the whole release off the Internet it may take some time depending on
the speed of your connection. I like this one because it's not a hassle to get going.


http://www.smoothwall.org/community/home/

Smoothwall is based on Linux if you have a cd-writer you can burn the firewall to cd
and install it offline or pay the few extra bucks and buy the cd and get support.

Devil Linux :

http://www.devil-linux.org

cd based firewall (doesn't need a hardrive) if some script kiddie cracks the box any changes
he made are gone once you reboot.


Happy Hunting!

Sharky