Digital BW, The Print

I recently downloaded the trial version of Imaging Factory's black-
and-white conversion software (not the pro version).  For one thing 
it comes with a reasonable price.  And more important, I like the 
sliders the software provides...much better I think than typing in 
numbers.  And I like the number of sliders.  Would anyone care to 
compare this software with working through the various options that 
Photoshop provides?  I'm thinking of channels, calculations, 
lightness channel, etc.

Thanks in advance from Norm