Digital BW, The Print

Yes, I found that late last night.  I was waiting for it, after you offered it to 
Michael in his discussion forum.  After reading it a few times I still have 
questions.

First, I must say I am rather naive when it comes to color management etc.  

Questions:

1)  You said when you used the canned profile under print space with NCA 
the image was rel. neutral, slightly warm.  But it was lacking separation in the 
shadows (as borne out with the step wedge).  Yet, your new workflow uses 
postscript color management with relative colorimetric intent under print 
space and you change to the color controls with photo realistic.  It seems to 
me you made two changes, and I am not sure why you didn't leave the print 
space unchanged with the canned profile and just change the NCA to color 
controls ?  Remember I am naive.  With your method, where is the canned 
profile coming into play.  (perhaps under media selected)

2) You set gamma at 1.8.  If my monitor is calibrated at gamma 2.2 and D65, 
does one still use a gamma 1.8 to print.

3) You favour colormatch RGB for your print space.  Do you see any benefit 
between this vs. Adobe RGB (1998).  

4)  You compare these prints to your VM prints in your final paragraph.  Given 
your experience and observations, if you were just starting off today would 
you still go the MIS VM route (e.g. buy a new 1280) or would you be willing to 
start off with the 2200 as a combined color / BW machine.  If you were a 
collector and bought one of your 2200 BW prints, would you be upset with the 
degree of metamerism.  Do you see any metamerism with your VM prints ?

5)  Are you considering custom profiles or GB to try to optimize your workflow 
?

Thanks for all of your help.   Sorry for some of the stupid questions.