🚀 go-pugleaf

I am trying to set up a PC based system for running TeX and possibly METAFONT
as well. I would like to use public domain software to minimize costs.
I have not purchased the PC and trying to figure out innumerable details
of what is possible and desirable between the hardware and software environment
is causing me considerable confusion. Here are some of the questions I
am having trouble with.

LASER PRINTER
=============
(1) Do I need a laser printer to produce satisfactory manuscripts typeset wiwth
    TeX or can I manage with an ink jet or bubble jet printer ?
(2) Are there ink jet or bubble jet printers that understand PostScript ?
(3) Where can I find public domain drivers (dvi --> printer) for the 
    aforementioned printers ? The printer is useless without this.

OPERATING SYSTEM
================
(4) If I decided that I wanted to have UNIX as the operating system on the
    PC, which combination of version (i.e. brand) of UNIX and version of TeX 
    would I need to run TeX in the UNIX environment ? Could I get that version
    of TeX (and METAFONT) for free ? 

HARDWARE REQUIREMENTS
=====================
(5) What hardware configuration would I require to run TeX and METAFONT ?
    Here I might either be running under UNIX or under MSDOS. What CPU,
    hard disk size and memory are recommended ?
(6) SUN used to manufacture a 386 based workstation but has not sold it for
    2 years. Is it possible to obtain them used and if so where and at what
    price ? These might represent the appropriate compromise between my
    desire to have a good UNIX system and my desire to be able to run MSDOS
    programs and would very likely be compatibe with what I want to do with
    TeX and METAFONT. On the other hand, SUN no longer sells them and it 
    might therefore be hard to get help with the system when I need it.

Allan Adler
ghot@ms.uky.edu