Format NTFS External Hard Drive as MS-DOS or Mac OS X Journaled?

I recently bought a SimpleTech 1TB [re]drive (connected via USB). It came formatted in the Windows NT File System format. I would like to format the drive, but am unsure whether or not I should format it as MS-DOS (aka FAT32) or Mac OS X Journaled.
_*Here is my situation:*_
I will have this external HD hooked up to my Mac at all times.
I want to be able to read/write files from the external HD over the network from my Windows computer.
I have had a Seagate external HD for a few years now. It has been formatted in the Mac OS X Journaled filesystem format, and I can read/write files on my Windows computer by accessing it over the network. Considering the Seagate is able to read/write files from both Mac and Windows, and is formatted as Mac OS X Journaled, does this mean that Mac OS X Journaled is best for me?
A potentially important thing to note is that my Seagate HD has been giving me trouble for quite some time now. Is this possibly due to the Mac OS X Journaled file system? Is it more recommended to have an MS-DOS/FAT32 file system if I will be accessing the external HD through the network on my Windows computer?
Additionally, I am unsure of how to format the drive. I know I am supposed to go to Disk Utility to do this. But am I supposed to go to the "Erase" tab or the "Partition" tab? And what steps do I take once in the proper tab?
*_So, in summary, here are my questions:_*
1) Which file system is best for my situation?
2) How do I go about formatting the file system type?
Thanks in advance!
-Fusion

Considering the Seagate is able to read/write files from both Mac and Windows, and is formatted as Mac OS X Journaled, does this mean that Mac OS X Journaled is best for me?
Yes.
Is it more recommended to have an MS-DOS/FAT32 file system if I will be accessing the external HD through the network on my Windows computer?
No.
Additionally, I am unsure of how to format the drive. I know I am supposed to go to Disk Utility to do this. But am I supposed to go to the "Erase" tab or the "Partition" tab? And what steps do I take once in the proper tab?
Click here and follow the instructions.
(47033)

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Format NTFS External Hard Drive as MS-DOS or Mac OS X Journaled?

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