Additionally…. which distribution or Windows version is the best?

I accidentally installed Linux on my external hard drive. I got confused with my other 2 hard drives that I have internally to my pc. The thing now can’t be detected by Windows 7 or any other Windows version for that matter. I want to reformat the hard drive and maybe use it to store some files. Any suggestions on how to make that possible?

I’m trying to run an emulator, but I can’t figure out how to install the linux version and the Windows version is, of course, only for windows. So, any solutions? [Preferably one that does not involve paying god-knows-how-much for Vista/XP]

Ubuntu linux is among the most popular desktop operating systems on the planet, yet very feq companies develop applications for it, if you can write a nice flashy instant messanger for windows and mac, why not ubuntu linux? you can’t say it’s standardization standing in the way, Ubuntu (not kubuntu, edubuntu, or xubuntu) has specific software it comes with, anything else is "extra" but certainly available. Yahoo! wrote an instant messanger that is so old it looks like the very first windows version. come on guys! linux can do ANYTHING! Why the hell do you think so many people are turning to it!?! someone please explain this travesty to me…PLEASE!