+1 to /boot, but I don't really know why the others are necessary? That being said, my Linux HD is only 40 gig (with a 250 external formatted as a ReiserFS - what a pain in the ass).
/home is useful as it make a reinstall / reformat easy without loosing setting e.t.c
win* are windows partitions and the others are just for organisation and safety. I don't really want the computer accessing and running around in areas unnecessarily. I can have an error in one partition and the others are safe(ish). I keep some partitions unmounted, I have different permissions. It's all about flexibility.
/home is useful as it make a reinstall / reformat easy without loosing setting e.t.c
win* are windows partitions and the others are just for organisation and safety. I don't really want the computer accessing and running around in areas unnecessarily. I can have an error in one partition and the others are safe(ish). I keep some partitions unmounted, I have different permissions. It's all about flexibility.
+1 on the ReiserFS. I've found ext3 more stable.