Hardware costs aren’t much.

Yeah. Hardware costs aren’t much. We can explore options for community PC’s and all running Linux. My favourite model is Thick server- thin client. This only makes it important to upgrade the server as and when necessary.
How much computing ower you need? 486 with 5 MB RAM to run BSD. 65 MB hard drive to run linux under Command line.
Mars ROVER used only 4hz…yes 4 HERTZ to transmit those pics. It never needed any version coming from Redmond.
In anycase, Linux is the answer. Or BSD> Cost effective, secure, scalable, idiot proof and FREE for all times to come. THis thin client can cost roughly 6000-7000 per terminal for upto 25 terminals. It makes sense. Glorious sense. Csts can be brought down by using older systems. I shall explore in detail in a later post.