Digital BW, The Print

Ed,

don't worry about curves at this point... many many many people on 
this and similar lists will tell you how important they are... but 
until your eye can tell the difference, make your adjustments with 
the tools and confidence you already have... if you're paying 
attention as you work, you'll discover what you need soon enough.

I use the MIS FSN and VM hex sets in my 2000p via my Mac (all Coolpix 
5000 shots)... most of my images never need the kind of fine tooth 
adjustments that curves give you. and maybe one day someone will use 
a curve adjustment on one of them and I will wake up to the glories 
I've been missing. but with levels, masking, and (most importantly) 
good solid images coming out of the camera my images satisfy me just 
fine!

"So I'd like to see and learn as much as I
can in the next 3 months before I move again to help me determine if
I'll need to build a darkroom as soon as I move in."

Join a print exchange!!! they are a great way to get a variety of 
hard copies printed with a variety of computers, printers, paper and 
ink sets.

and if you ask me, don't go back to a darkroom!

Tom