> * I can't get my X to run at 16bpp

The Open Firmware frame buffer interface doesn't support anything more
than 8bpp.

Supposedly, XFree86 4.0 has better separation of accelerator parts
from x86-specific parts, so it may be possible to do
graphics-card-specific support for macppc video cards some day, but
that's probably a long way away.

> (* I can't find how to use a french keymap under X)

Not sure about that, but that would be the same on any NetBSD
architecture. Try looking around www.netbsd.org or asking on
netbsd-users@netbsd.org?

> * I can't use gdb (unbuildable from sources and packages said it is not
>  supported on MacPPC)

gdb is buildable in -current, although it's still not built by default
because it doesn't have floating-point support.

> (* several core dumped with X apps)

That's fixed in 1.4.1 and -current.

-- Dan