Ok,

Having read the list for a while I now feel comfortable enough to dive in.

My resources:

 I have a MicrovaxII with in a BA23, two RD54s<rqdx3>, TK50, DELQA and
 serial lines.  This crate runs VMS5.4.  For comms I have VaxPAC on it.
 I also have Ansi C compiler.  This could be used for mop load (runs DECnet
 as well).  While the system has no floppy it is possible to hook on up
 temporarily <rx50 or RX33>. This system has modem access to my ISP and also
 serial terminal access to the PC-486.

 The target system is vs2000 with RD53, TZK50, RX33, LANCE also no video,
 serial console only.

 Additionally, I have a 486DX2/50 PC (dos/winders3.1) with a CDrom. I have
 the C-ware <DeSmet> C compiler on this for programming.  This is my net
 access machine currently <FTP, Netscape, Email>. I happen to also have the
 Linux Unleashed CDrom (slackware kernels v1.2.13/1.2.18).

 I also have two PDP-11s <11/23 and 11/73> and the Decus C compiler on them
 under RT-11.  For hardware they are RD52, RD33<rqdx3>, RL02 and 2mb ram.
 Eventually I'd like to get Venix running on these with IP and DEQNAs.

 I am C literate with caveat of most of the significant work I've done is
 for the Z80 embedded<no OS> and CP/M<os> enviornment.  I've done limited
 work in the VMS and DOS space.

Now the goal.  I wish to get the VAXen off the VMS base and also put unix 
<or equivelent> on the uVAX, VS2000 and also two PDP-11s.  The initial 
starting point is the VS2000 as the target.  Later the PC will go the linux 
route.

Questions:  

What do I need and where is the best source for a working bootable system 
for the vs2000?  

What is the best installation path?

I'd like to have the Vaxen have the ability to run SLIP/PPP access to the 
ISP via modem and eventually an IP eithernet connection between all the 
vaxen and the PC.

I'm not interested in initially windows of any kind for the vaxen, I have no 
video for them.  This save me some difficulty I'm sure.

All suggestions welcome.

Allison