[tlug] Thin Client Question

[CL <az.4tlug@example.com>]

I have a client who absolutely, positively has to have me use Skype from 
a WIN machine.  It might have something to do with the fact that Ubuntu 
Camera Monitor does not find or like either of my Logitec ball cameras 
and that I have been unable to port drivers for my Pioneer wireless 
handset to Linux.

Also, I have been doing work for a couple of US agencies which have 
sites that will not accept contacts from Linux nor IE running in a Vbox 
... although how they know it isn't native-native is a mystery to me.

I had an IBM T61 sitting and running this service but it is running too 
hot and the fan seems about to go.  It also takes up a large chunk of 
real estate that I'd like to use for something else ... and stop the hot 
air from blowing on my back and neck.

I don't want to go to all of the hassle and expense of building a 
dedicated Atom or Sempron-powered box and have been looking at 
ultra-cheap solutions for having a WIN-only box on my LAN.  I have found 
a source for HP-Compac thin client boxes which are about the same size 
as an NTT modem.  They have six USB 2.0 plugs, PS/2 connectors for 
keyboard and mouse, 15-pin and D-sub video out, wired and wireless LAN 
options, no fan, and no HDD ... with provisions for neither of the two. 
 O/S is WIN XP-J on a ROM and the seller says that they are successful 
using ROM sticks for add on drives.  Couple of questions:

Q1.  Does anyone know whether it would be possible to use one of my 
spare 2.5 inch HDD drives-in-a-USB case in lieu of a flash drive?  Can 
anyone tell me either way and why?  The seller does not seem to know an 
answer.

I have a different client for whom faxes are still the main means of 
communicating (yeah, they're older Japanese gentlemen who think PCs have 
to come with a woman to push the keys).  I need some sort of PC fax 
capability but want to preserve all of the WIN fax service in the same 
format and would like to just port everything collected so far to a new 
solution.  I have a fax board that came with drivers for Ubuntu and that 
is in the AMD X2 work box.

Q2.  Is there a native *buntu app that would take in the existing files 
and enable me to continue using them exactly the same way that I've been 
 using them in WIN?  Failing that, can someone suggest how a Complete 
Idiot can work out a pass-through so that faxes go to the WIN VBox?  The 
more I read the less I understand about this issue.

--
CL