which file system should Iput on my external hard drive so it can be read by all OS's?

If you don't intend to store large files, then "vfat" may be a good choice. Otherwise, "ntfs" filesystems should be okay, as they can be read/written by Ubuntu and also Windows and Mac.

On the other hand, it's possible that you could find some OS extensions so that Windows and Mac can read/write "ext3" filesystems, but not sure at all (I know there exists a driver for Windows at least, but don't know anything on Mac).

Note also that you may find some Linux computer that does not have installed the required packages to properly handle "ntfs" filesystems...

In conclusion, I'm not sure whether you may find a filesystem type that can be readable by *whatever* computer, equipped with *whatever* OS, and with *whatever* drivers installed in it...

Good luck, anyhow.

--Bixejo

FAT is readable by about all systems you find today.

what's the difference between fat32 and ntfs?

And this vfat, how large is large?

I think I'd like to try the ntfs. I have ubuntu 8.10 on my system, can it read nfts?

many thanks for the answers :)

Most can read ntfs (new technology file system) - even the name is quite dated now. Like things called 'Millenium this or that' or anything 'Modern' lol

Only stuff like Win95 and prior can't read ntfs

Linux distro's have been forced to be able to cope with flaky dodgy ntfs because Windows snubs ext3 as it's less likely to fail - a marketing ploy ;)

That's my own opinion of course, nothing to do with Ubuntu people. As you can see above they're all fine about ntfs.

Unfortunatly I'm at a school where it's all windows so it will be ntfs...

So thanks for the answers, and may the source be with you :p