The Logic Off Topic list

Hi helpful apple advocates,

I wonder if I could get some advice on the Apple Platform.  I'm affraid that
I lost track of Apple developments a long time ago, and now I need to work
out a strategy to test some software that a friend wrote for it (a cross
platform application in Java).  I've got the PC side of things covered at
least.

Here are the questions:
1. Do apple always use SCSI hard drive(s)?
2. What models and machines have apple made?  I'm only aware of
iMac/G3/G4/G5/Power Book/Cube/Apple IIe/Macintosh (what else is there??)
3. What Operating Systems have Apple released/developed?
4. Is there an equivelent piece of software that will image an Apple
Computer's hard drive in a similar way to Norton Ghost.
5. Can the iMac have a external hard drive?  Any recommendations?
6. is 500 pounds (IRE)/ 396 pounds (Brittish Sterling)/ 574 dollars (US) an
okay price for a second hand iMac.
7. will an iMac run all of the Apple opperating systems OS X, etc.
8. when were iMacs released (in the last couple of years wern't they?)
9. should I just double the price, save the bother, and go for a second hand
G3 instead?  It's just a test PC, so performance isn't a huge consideration
(in this case).

Thanks in advance,
Steven