1) Power Armour isn't equipable from the very beginning of the game. You have to have gotten about 75% of the Main Story Line completed. THen you're trained to wear it. To keep yourself Neutral, it's probably easier to do this than you'd think. I just kept doing whatever the Hell I liked. If I wanted it I'd take it, if I wished to help out someone, I would. If you end up too far Evil, just pay some caps to a Church. If you end up to far Good, go rob a couple of people, possibly even a murder or too. I'd suggest not blowing up Megaton if you want Neutral, seeing as doing so sends you stupidly evil, I think max, lest you're max good anyway.
2a)Followers do die forever. Human/Ghoul/Super Mutant/Dog they all die. Some more frequent than others, and some practically never. When a follower dies, he is dead for good. No way of getting them back, so you do have to keep an eye out for them. You can get a perk for a certain follower "Dogmeat, a Dog" When Dogmeat has died, a Puppy(s?) will be waiting for you outside Vault101 and I do believe they have more health. Anyway, with that Perk (Which requires an Expansion/Add-On) Dogmeat is allways capable of joining the team, either herself of her puppies.
2b)Followers dying forever also depends on what you're playing the Game on. 360 or PS3, then they're gone for good. If however you're playing on the PC, you can use the Console to cheat them back.
Using a cheat to revive your follower once they have fallen, means you can allways have them.
THere is also a cheat to make a Follower invincible, so to speak. By which I mean, whenever they get killed, their character simply goes into an unconcious state, and lies on the floor. They get up in a few seconds, and continue fighting.
