B&W workflow

I checked on the search first, but couldnt find a keyword that came up with the answers I'm looking for. (If you have a link to this thread off the top of your head, please feel free to post that and I will refer to it).

Just started getting into photography since Christmas when I recieved a Canon G2.

I was curious what effective Photoshop workflows you guys have discovered for sharpening, contrast, etc in black and white photos. Also, would shooting in RAW rather than JPG make enough of a difference in clarity to REALLY pay dividends? I assume there is a pretty set technique (Ive heard some mention of dodge and burn before) for Ansel Adams-type results, for instance.

I would like to be able to print on a relatively large scale (probably 8"x10") and would love to see the results in image quality that I see when I visit exhibits.

Thanks in advance,

Nick L-- http://www.pbase.com/mnl97p

Hi--
There are some useful sites about the B&W workflow--try
http://www.cliffshade.com/dpfwiw/b&w.htm
and
http://home.austin.rr.com/g2darkroom/black.htm

for starters...they compare and contrast on-camera, simple Photoshop (etc) Greyscale, LAB-mode --> Lightness, and Channel Mixing, which are the options open to you. Still experimenting myself, and so don't have any preference, but Channel Mixing at least gives you something to work with! The others are pretty much What You Accept is What you Get. More questions, or nice results...post ém or email me!
Arle