Is IDE the same as PATA? Isn't IDE just a cable specification and PATA is the actual drive specification?
And PATA is the most popular...last year...this year it's expected to be taken by SATA.
Yes, only get SCSI if you have too many $. The main advantage of SCSI is its reliability. That's why they are so freaking expensive. If I had the money I would certainly get SCSI.
IDE and (P)ATA are the same. Although some people refer to IDE as the interface and to ATA as the transfer protocol.