iBook G3 best OS 10.3 or 10.4?

Check you're software. What system is it recomended on? 10.4 is best if you want to use iMovie 6, latest version of iChat, dashboard... 10.3 is best if you want to use older versions or if you want a faster system! 10.4 is more supported w graphics applications.

It is my opinion that OS X 10.3.9 will be a bit zippier on the iBook G3 than OS X 10.4.

It is only my opinion. Others are using OS X 10.4, and like it just fine. It is true that you will not see all the bells and whistles of OS X 10.4 with a G3 processor.

When I decided I wanted to upgrade to OS X 10.4, I opted to upgrade to an iBook G4 with 768 MB of RAM and a 60 GB hard drive.

"For use with graphic apps would it be better to use OS 10.3 instead of 10.4 since the RAM max is only 640mb?"

You are better off using a graphic app that was designed to run under 10.3 or earlier.

"Are what are the benifits of 10.4 on a G3 iBook over 10.3?"

For me, it's the PDF technology built into the TIger OS (Compress PDF for emails, etc), Automator (for those customisable auto scripts such as 'Combine PDFs) and Tiger's advanced drag 'n drop technology, but beyond that, nothing much else. If you are using older apps, I think you are better off with 10.3.

"What are the method to totally optimize (even at the expense of functionality?) OS 10.3 and/or 10.4, I don't need much internet support or audio support. "

Maximum RAM (which you have) and at least 5Gb free HD space. System Maintenance is also important.

"Can the OSX interface/GUI be optimzed with less tranparancies, and useless effects?"

No, not unless you are prepared to work solely in Unix, at the expense of the GUI.

"Is there any way to get OSX to use less ram and Hard Drive space? "

Not without third-party tweaks, which will potentially damage your iBook. Best to avoid them.

10.3.9 is the best to run on a iBook G3 mines 800mhz/128mb/30gb/combo, i put my iBook G3 on 10.4 and it runs slightly slower. I tried running a demo of Battlefield 1942 on it and the graphics went all wierd on 10.4 all the soldiers where munted. Not to mention the dashboard uses up a lot of the iBooks little ram. Its left standard with its 256mb and 32mb of vram and it strugles a little on 10.4 compared to running 10.3.9 . There are benefits to running 10.3.9 such as not jamming up when your connected to another persons created network then they just switch their airport off, 10.4.9 will jam up when 10.3.9 wont, it makes my Macbook Pro look dumb. Those are the two little things i noticed. To me 10.3.9 is what i would leave on my G3. I reformatted it and put 10.3.9 because 10.4 annoyed me on the G3.

All up it depends what you use it for. If you want to run older games put 10.3 if you want to be able to run newer programs run 10.4. I also have a Orange Clamshell running 10.3.9. Thats GOOD has almost all the wireless security of 10.4.

With yours your probably better running 10.4 you have enough ram. Running widgets on dashboard is what uses up ram, you have enough.