Digital BW, The Print

I just joined the group a few days ago and sent a message asking for 
general suggestions to help me get going with B&W digital prints.  I 
appreciate all the responses received and think I'll begin with the 
MIS Variable Mix Quadtones for my Epson 1280 using Paul Roark's 
workflow information.

In the responses I received, no one mentioned the scanning end.  I've 
got a Nikon Super CoolScan 4000 for scanning my B&W 35MM negatives 
and looking for some general guidelines to follow to optimize the 
digital image I will be working with in PhotoShop 7.  For instance, 
should I set up the scan to create the image size I intend to print? 
If I do, what will happen to the print quality if I later decide to 
change the print size? (I'll be doing 8x10's and 11x14's mostly)  
Should I do the scan in grayscale to begin with or in RGB and should 
I mess with any of the curves within the Nikon scanning options or do 
all of that manipulation exclusively in PhotoShop?

I have been trying to search the archives for tips/workflows, but 
haven't managed to locate this type of information yet.  

Any help would be greatly appreciated!