Internet Software
In order to get any Mac online for at least e-mail access, you’ll need at least System 6.0.5, 2MB of RAM, two 800K floppy drives or a hard disk and an 800K floppy drive, and some sort of modem, preferably 14.4 or faster.
Now that you have the necessary connection software installed, you need an e-mail client. Eudora 1.3.1 is probably the best e-mail client for System 6 Macs. If you’re running System 7 or higher, you can use Eudora 1.5.5.
The better e-mail client is Mulberry, also available from MacintoshGarden
Browsers
iCab is one of the best options for 68K Macs, except for the 68000-based Macs, which can’t use it. Any other 68K Mac running at least System 7 can and should use iCab, which is light on RAM usage, very fast, and supremely configurable. Two tips: load up on RAM to the extent possible and put the browser’s cache on a RAM disk for best speed, and turn off multiple connections in the Preferences for maximum stability.
Netscape 2.0.2 is probably the next-best choice for most browsing needs on a 68030 or lower. You’ll also probably want the Netscape Defrost extension, which helps Netscape freeze less often, as well as the Netscape 2.02 Update.
A lot of older browsers, including Netscape 2.x and 3.x, have a problem with expired security certificates. You won’t be able to use them to connect to secure sites any more.