Yes Virginia, debian 5.0.1 really does work on your ppc eMac

# xorg.conf (X.Org X Window System server configuration file) for
# powerpc eMac with ATI 7500 graphics and built-in 17-inch CRT monitor.
# For use following fresh install of Linux Debian 5.0.1.
#
# This is based on the file generated by dexconf, the Debian X
# Configuration tool, using values from the debconf database.
#
# Edit this file with caution, and see the xorg.conf manual page.
# (Type "man xorg.conf" at the shell prompt.)
#
# This file is automatically updated on xserver-xorg package upgrades
# *only* if it has not been modified since the last upgrade of the
# xserver-xorg package.
#
# The file has indeed been edited. The aim was to get beyond
# the longstanding dead-screen-on-arrival which eMac users typically
# encounter after installing Debian for the first time with Graphics
# option selected. Further amendments recommended by numerous
# Internet forums may subsequently be applied with some hope of success
# once some comparable file structure is here to work from. If
# subsequently you would like this file to be automatically updated
# again to its current default version, run the following command:
# sudo dpkg-reconfigure -phigh xserver-xorg
#
# HOW TO USE:
# After installing and booting Debian 5.0.1 and arriving at the screen
# of despair, press Ctrl-Option-F2 to switch to a non-graphic login
# terminal. Log in as root and make a backup copy of your original
# /etc/X11/xorg.conf file.
#
# Then either edit the original from a printout of what follows, or
# mount a shared partition or external drive, and 'cp' this one across
# to replace your original.
#
# Press Ctrl-Option-F7 and wait a second after your terminal
# disappears. Press Ctrl-Option-Delete (using the LARGE Delete key),
# forcing this replacement file to be recognized.
#
# It can take near a minute for the gnome desktop to fully appear.
# In the meantime you will see some encouraging signs including an
# obligatory graphic login dialog. (Don't try to log in as root. Use the
# alternative userid and password you nominated during installation).
#
# The following alterations to the original file were necessary to make
# it work on the eMac. (Also ensure you don't power up with your Video
# or VGA adapter plugged in if you have external video equipment):
#
# "monitor-DVI-0" replaces "BusID" Option. HorizSync, VertRefresh,
# DefaultDepth, Depth, Modes, Modeline and Screen SubSection were
# added. The two supplied "InputDevice" sections appear optional -- this
# user's Macintosh USB keyboard and USB Logitech 3-Button mouse
# worked regardless of whether they were retained or deleted. It is only
# the final three sections which need amendment before it will work on a
# PowerPC eMac.

Section "InputDevice"
Identifier "Generic Keyboard"
Driver "kbd"
Option "XkbRules" "xorg"
Option "XkbModel" "pc104"
Option "XkbLayout" "us"
EndSection

Section "InputDevice"
Identifier "Configured Mouse"
Driver "mouse"
EndSection

Section "Device"
Identifier "Configured Video Device"
Option "monitor-DVI-0" "Configured Monitor"
EndSection

Section "Monitor"
Identifier "Configured Monitor"
HorizSync 50-73
VertRefresh 70-140
Modeline "1024x768" 99.07 1024 1088 1200 1376 768 769 772 809
EndSection

Section "Screen"
DefaultDepth 24
Identifier "Default Screen"
SubSection "Display"
Depth 24
Modes "1024x768"
EndSubSection
Monitor "Configured Monitor"
EndSection

# PS: The active text above may need cleaning up if you paste it from a
# Web browser. Text Wrangler or BBEdit can clean out the gremlins in
# MacOS X. Otherwise the visible text will be ok. It is only the
# gaps which might contain visible or invisible formatting characters
# which could cause it to bomb out on linux. If in doubt, work from a
# hardcopy. There are only a few lines in the last three sections above
# which need to be changed from the distributed original.