I found the time and can report that the 32 bit Arduino IDE to upload the firmware and GC will run on debian-live-9.5.0-i386-mate in a virtualbox in fake server mode.
I agree on the energy saving aspects and that mainstream should not be focused on 15 year old hardware.
Personally I got hooked to this project because of a spirit of helping, that I assumed to read between the lines. This feeling was supported with the POD for homeless
Because the consumption strategies of first world countries does not include how to deal with lead and mercury, we export our toxic garbage to third world countries.
Making a low cost CNC available to trauma release in areas where children need help is an idea that I will follow.
Running on old hardware should not be a reason for me to stop.