> ubuntu threads show it working

Show what working?

> as you stated the 512meg ram total

I stated only 256 MiB RAM. But you're right that the 256 MiB VRAM can be used as system RAM which gives 512 MiB RAM in total.

> just won't do.

512 MiB would only just do it I think. But that depends on usage pattern.

> they talked about thumb drives to hold whatever and helping the
> mem even while browsing.

Probably slow as hell.

> I had to upgrade my mini to 1gig and even that isn't enough at times.

I usually only run out of my 1 GiB RAM when using programs which have memory leaks.

> here's hoping for a viable option in the future. 1.83ghz or better

CPU upgrades for G4 PowerMacs are available up to 2.0 GHz.