@ Ron: I like your use of the word “artifact” 😀
Anywho, do not try to use Windows’s measures when you look at “top” or “ps” output on the NSLU2. Linux really allocates ALL physical available memory. If applications do not require it, it becomes IO cache or the likes. So you will never really see heaps of “free” memory in Linux. Especially on the NSLU2.
Don’t think twice, it’s alright 😉