Backing up files to Portable Drive for future use

I've backed up the files from my eMac (using 10.2.8) to a Mac OS Extended formatted portable drive (using Disk Utility to do this formatting). I will want to copy the files to a new Mac in the future. Will a new Mac (using 10.6) be able to read the Mac OS Extended formatted portable drive?

Y...E...S...

(Elipses used to make post long enough...)

Thanks for your help. Just to clarify my question, does that mean that a new Mac or MacBook running 10.6 will be able to copy files to and from this Mac OS Extended formatted portable hard drive?

Yes as well.

Cheers ... McBie

Thanks for your help!