> What if we created some sort of
> "lo-fat" settings to help it run minimally and
> fast?

We already have the basis for such a tool: KPersonalizer. Although I think KPersonalizer falls short in creating a minimal desktop.

If the section in KPersonalizer that sets the desktop settings was a KPart then we could add those settings directly into Control Center.

In other words, we some nominal work we could do what you seek. Does this sound like an enhancement request? :)

Darrell