Best Linux on Mac? Best Way to Install?

[MarkW]

I am interested in Linux and likely will use Mac OS X far more but
want to have the capability of using it so that I can learn the OS as
well as run any software for Linux that I'm interested in.
I thought of switching a older Windows machine over to Linux but my
interest is now to put it on a MacBook Pro. Hard Drive space is
precious since I'm already planning to use Parallels to run Windows XP
on it. My questions:
Can I run Linux on a Mac with it on a external drive so that I can
simply buy a firewire drive and make that the Linux Drive?
Can I run Linux with Boot Camp or is it better to use Parallels?
What flavor of Linux is best? I have heard a lot about SUSE but also
some about Red Hat.
Is it possible to boot straight into Linux on a Mac?
Are there specific versions of Linux catered to the Mac?

Thanks in advance for any help.

[tomiro]

Post by MarkW
I am interested in Linux and likely will use Mac OS X far more but
want to have the capability of using it so that I can learn the OS as
well as run any software for Linux that I'm interested in.
I thought of switching a older Windows machine over to Linux but my
interest is now to put it on a MacBook Pro. Hard Drive space is
precious since I'm already planning to use Parallels to run Windows XP
Can I run Linux on a Mac with it on a external drive so that I can
simply buy a firewire drive and make that the Linux Drive?
Can I run Linux with Boot Camp or is it better to use Parallels?
What flavor of Linux is best? I have heard a lot about SUSE but also
some about Red Hat.
Is it possible to boot straight into Linux on a Mac?
Are there specific versions of Linux catered to the Mac?
Thanks in advance for any help.

I'm guessing the powerbook is PPC based and not Intel (MacTel). The 4
Ubuntu variations (Ubuntu, Kubuntu, Xubuntu, Edubuntu) all have ppc and
intel versions available. see ubuntu.com or see info on each at:
http://sweetcomputing.com/index.php?wiki=Ubuntu

Ubuntu is also featured in the Linux Has 'Arrived' article.
http://sweetcomputing.com/index.php?wiki=Linux2007

If it happened to be OSx on Intel I'd recommend Sabayon (they have a
how-to in the forums).

You might find Sweet! Computing helpful for finding what will work on
your system(s). - sweetcomputing.com