Help formatting external HD

Hiyall - Following problems with a previous HD, I realize belatedly I'm supposed to format these things optimally when they come out of the box.
When I go to Disk Utility I get cold feet!
I am running 10.5.7 with a 2.2G intel on a MacBook
I have a WD My Book Studio edition (yes I know, there have been problems...)
I gather from another that I want it GUID partitioned and in Mac OS Extended (Journaled) format.
Q: Is this correct?
Q: If I uncheck the install OS9 drivers, is that permanent? Do I care? Perhaps, right ... that is, if I have files that run on a program that only runs on OS 9, then I need to keep this checked, right?
Q: The partitioning is what comes later, right, with the indented volumes that appear ... so I don't worry about that when erasing at the top level?
Q: What does partitioning get me? Is it like a firewall for failure within the HD? So, say, would I make a few partitions and keep photos in one partition and work files in another??
TIA!

Is this correct?
Yes.
If I uncheck the install OS9 drivers, is that permanent?
Until the drive is erased again.
Do I care?
Since you'll be partitioning it as GUID which Mac OS 9 can't use anyway, no. Neither setting will affect Classic's ability to use the drive.
The partitioning is what comes later, right, with the indented volumes that appear ... so I don't worry about that when erasing at the top level?
No, you don't.
What does partitioning get me?
It reduces the chance that the whole drive will become unreadable due to a software issue, but doesn't protect against hardware failures. It also makes it possible for multiple Mac OS X versions and other OSes to be installed on the drive.
(45608)

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