You can run the game with 64 MB of ram. I suggest you keep your map size down and use less AI. The more stuff on screen the more ram is needed. Any processor above 350 is good. If I had a choice of a faster processor (above 350) or more ram, I would go with more ram. The game will still run great though. I have played it on a lot of systems and the only system I don't recommend is 32MB ram and 200 MHz processor.
Ok, I will give my 2 cents. Mayors are about 75% effective (a good human player being 100% effective). If you want to stay ahead of the AI and MP players, I would not use them. The only time I tend to use them is when I have 12+ cities. The mayor controls specialists (Growth mayor will assign specialists to farming, etc.). Mayors will not go full bore into 1 item. They will keep the population happy and well fed. They will build buildings and units that go towards their goal, but they are not as smart as an AI. They may remove any item that you place in your build que, I have seen it happen. It is so easy to turn mayors on and off, that this was never a problem for me. I suggest playing around with them. In general, they control your build ques and will place new tile improvments down. Don't be supprised if most of your farms get replaced by mines if you set your mayor to production.
Mayors do not control trade. I guess that is a national thing.
Public works are set by your national manager and so the mayors do not cotrol that. They do control what is done with your public works in that city, ie, what tile improvments are put down.
Mayors are good for the beginner, but you will be at a major disadvantage if you do not learn how to control your specialists and citizenry yourself. You can still win, but it will be much harder.
Smooshies
