The first part was not directed AT you, about the cached version... it was to the poster, k?
Second, he's going to throw more money and time at an issue that's going to cost him more money and time whether he likes it or not. It's NOT a "bad' decision. It's a "that's the way it is decision". Not tell him? What good does that do except make him feel worse when he hits the PPC DOA wall...
I know a Mac user who refuses even to use OS X at all. She's going to keep OS 9, never update, never buy anything new and never change. Her decision, just like his. But, he asked. She doesn't want to know.
Third, basic computer work, yes. Certainly. Just don't ask what you're missing. If he doesn't need anything new, anything updated, then he's got what he needs, and EOS.
The EOL for the G4 passed along time ago. It's on life support as it is and that only means that it's a good (but noisy) bookend to the PC I had to build waiting for the $$$ to get the Mac I want. $4000 was not on hand, so Windows 8 it is until then.
One good thing about this PC in comparison. I know what to expect for the $$$ I'll have to pay. If an i7 Intel Mac cannot beat my
AMD PC for twice the price, then a Mac Mini is just fine for the time being. I've got dozens of Mac apps I need and use all the time. They're going to get used.