Done

Well, I'm back.

The experiment worked, mostly. I had access to the net. I could access
mail and things such as I needed to. And I took no data with me save a USB drive.

Booting is a bit clunky. Things run a bit slow, but it works.

Now, would I recommend it to my 75 year old Uncle. Maybe.

Will I do it again, probably.

Does it present options for existing in a world where corporations
insist on "supporting" you by installing spyware, anti virus and other
software that slows down an already buggy, bloated OS ("I could get worse,
but it will take time") ? Yes. As long as they don't lock BIOS to prevent
CD or USB booting.

OK. Enough for how. Complete postmortem writeup coming.