Dual Boot between two HDrives on one PC

What is the best program to boot between Windows XP Home Edition(in use )and Mandrake Linux 9.1 ProSuite (not installed yet)Each will have their own Hard Disk on the same PC. I would like to LAN between them (Windows XP and M/L 9.1) also have my laptop and two other PC’s in the same LAN.Which Linux file system is best for file transfering.