All entries3 kernel compiles later....
My roommate picked up a 256 MB USB flash drive for me this weekend at one of the big after-Thanksgiving sales. I finally got it working with Linux on my Powerbook. First I had to compile the kernel to have the usb storage module. That was kernel compile one (I had updated the kernel from the benh tree in the process.) Then, I didn't have the modules for the vfat filesystem. Compile number two. (Rather make-kpkg. Debian's tools are great!) I couldn't figure out why my system was having a hard time reading the partition informant off the drive. I could mount the drive just fine on my roommate's x86 laptop. Then I realized I didn't have support in the kernel for MS-DOS partition types. After that recompile and necessary reboot, everything works great! Now to figure out what exactly to put on this cool new thing...
