I also am a new user...The only point I can comment on is 2)
I bought a 21 type card reader and a 2GB CF card because I did not
like my USB stick hanging off the end of the iLiad.
Unfortunately only about 4 out of 5 file transfers succeeded (from
the computer to the CF card) I was getting write errors that hung
the system until I unplugged the reader. This happened with
two different computers.
I got a refund from WallyWorld and went do Office Depot and
got a Sandisk Reader and Sandisk 2GB CF card and have not had
any problems transfering files to the CF card.
Sometimes cheapest is not the best
Jerry