is it possible to install an operating system on an external HD and use that as my primary drive [instead of having and internal IDE one] ? will be using Firewire but is it fast enough compared to an IDE HD ?

and what is the difference between IDE and ATA ? This confuses the **** out of me !

:D

If you want to do this you will need a BIOS that is Firewire compatible. Ive never done it before but it doesnt seem impossible, maybe a little BIOS Patching updating should make it happen.

Can you install better fonts? ;)

It can be done. You may need the floppy with the drivers, for the firewire. When your loading windows you will need to press f6 for loading these drivers, you may not need it though, I guess you will have to find out.

IDE is is basically the way it is connected(interface), like firewire, usb, scsi and sata.

ATA is the speed data travels like 66, 100, 133mhz
SATA, travels at 150mhz right now, but will get a lot faster.