Excitedly using new DOS packet driver with Links v2.21, binary ported to DOS with OpenSSL v1.0.2u (Dec 2019). This provides TLS v1.2 support in DOS! Thus far connected to all sites tested. Although DOS geeks will have no problem setting it up a how-to may eventually be posted as a quick member project. Note 'cwsdpmi.exe' is already provided in the link below and a DOS mouse driver is preferred. It can be configured to run in text or graphic mode. Personal LINKS.BAT uses 'LINKS221.EXE -MODE 1024x768x256 https://www.google.com'.
http://links.twibright.com/download/binaries/dos/
To my knowledge there are now three web browsers that provide TLS v1.2 support for vanilla Windows 98 SE: RetroZilla v2.2, K-Meleon v1.5.4 and Links for DOS v2.21.
Tested out Arachne v1.95 (GPL v2 license) again, formally known as Arachne WWW browser for DOS, now labelled historic. Based on the link Arachne Labs no longer develops the browser. This is the second time i've played with Arachne and my reaction is similar. It is apparent a lot of time and effort was put into development. It offers some neat features, decent built-in help for configuration and performance. It is, however, glitchy and does not appear to connect to HTTPS sites. So for now it is truly historic, mostly just for playing and learning.
http://www.arachne.cz/
Will eventually try the forks below and report only if there are significant improvements or changes. The build from glennmcc[dot]org is Arachne v1.97, the second link yet another fork from Ray Andrews.
http://www.glennmcc.org/
http://www.glennmcc.org/rayandrews/
Since DOS' conventional memory is precious lots has been tweaked and developed over the years, including memory extenders. From olddos.exe, memmaker was already phased out by Microsoft before Windows 95 and it doesn't run in Windows 98's DOS v7, supposedly a quick and easy way to free DOS memory. There is another DOS memory manager often mentioned, Quarterdeck Expanded Memory Manager (QEMM). I have no experience with this but from the Wikipedia page it appears there would be little gained over using HIMEM.SYS and EMM386.EXE from Windows 98's DOS v7. Many 'heavier' DOS applications already utilize their own methods. For example, many old DOS games already use DOS/4G and the Links browser mentioned above is compiled with CWSDPMI support. Still wish i was around earlier to experience all this DOS goodness firsthand, would have a much better understanding.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/QEMM#DOS_equivalents
Back in Windows 98 tried out MemMAX (freeware, Windows 98 - 2000). Pretty much what i remember from similar software years ago. Unless i'm missing something, RAM is meant to be used not cleared. Waste time and CPU cycles clearing RAM then left with a sluggish computer upon relaunch of previously cached applications. Claimed to be useful for hardcore gaming before game launch. IMHO better to simply ensure the system is set up to boot and run lean, properly configured, with minimal background applications and services.