There are several distributions for Unix and Linux.
Your best bet would probably be to go for a Linux distro . . .
I suggest you Debian which you can download here.
As soon as you have downloaded the disc images, just burn them to CD and boot your P2 from the first CD. Afterwards just...
there is the 'recent objects' (or whatever it is called in the english os) in the apple menu.
sadly, i know of no way how you could integrate this to the sidebar