> I am currently running the kernel and userland built with soft-float
> from ftp.ziaspace.com (RC5). Since this machine has only 8 megs I am
> trying to build a much more optimzed and smaller kernel.

With a custom kernel, and some swap, that should be a fairly usable
machine.  I used to run 1.6.1 in 8 MB -- running the compiler seldom,
if ever, touched swap.

> f this fails to do it then I will find some ore RAM. I looked on
> ebay right after someone suggested it, but there was nothing
> available when I looked. I may snag something from memoryx.com, but
> I really don't want to spend more than about $20-30 on this.

In my case the problem was solved by finding a 16 MB PC SIMM lying in
a colleague's office.  Total cost: one beer ;-)

                                        Juliusz