I discovered that browsers that handle modern content won’t run on Win2K. You need at least WinXP.
However, really ancient computers can still run the latest Linux, and all the current browsers.
I installed Ubuntu Server 14 on a 2002 computer with a Pentium 4 at 1.8 GHz and 1 gig on memory, and it runs fine. The desktops probably need something a little newer.
I think it depends upon the content. FR, for example, is largely text-based so it does not require much to log on and access the site. Audio posts and Flash inserts are really not required for that, but for sites such as Youtube and the like then I think it is a given that you need a relatively new machine and OS to view the latest content on them.
That said, I have one machine running on 128 Megs with Mepis 7 installed that is a bit sluggish but chugs through the needed netbrowsing demands with no problems. Emails, FR, filesharing, and even the occasional IRC (gaim) or skype/ekiga useages it handles well, as does its occasional discburning, ripping, or copying for critical data discs (as well as backups of course for the system) or DVD movies.
Older machine, older (over 5 years) OS, and I see absolutely no need to try to install some bloated, unstable, and dangerous system-choking Latest-and-greatest OS that adds absolutely nothing to the machine for what I need it to do.
Other older machines that I support have Damn Small Linux, Linux Lite, Anti-X, or other featherweight distros running on them and they work quite well indeed for what I require them to do. As the article points out, the path microsoft is tromping is not exactly the best choice for everyone on the planet, despite what they might wish it to be.