Wow. This brings back memories. It's been 8-9 years since I played Fallout 1. It's truly a great game. Fallout 2 is much, much bigger, and fixes some annoying mechanical issues in the original. That said, Fallout 1 is a more satisfying, complete game. The first time I got to the glow, I gave my NPCs and even Dogmeat Rad-X, but ISTR that's not necessary. Having a tough radiation resistance and lots of drugs is essential, however. I only got the "You die of radiation sickness" ending once. A reload and more Rad-X fixed it, I think.
I have a copy of Fallout 3 that's been sitting here for almost two years waiting for me to play it. I should have a machine for said purpose in a couple weeks. That will certainly be a time sink/end of my social life.