Digital BW, The Print

>  photokit sharpener and Neat Image

Steve, I've been using PK Sharpner for more than a year mostly for 
color work. It takes some getting use to at first and expands your file 
size apprecialy, but it's a very useful tool. As for Neat Image, I'm on 
a Mac, so I've never used it (stop laughing, Lou).

Here are some links on sharpening workflow and PK-S to check out. They 
are authored by Bruce Fraser (who developed PK-S). The first link 
provides background to the development of PK-S and the second is 
available on the pixelgenius web site as their manual.

http://www.creativepro.com/story/feature/20357-1.html

http://www.pixelgenius.com/sharpener/manual.html

FWIW, I don't always use the Inkjet Output Sharpen in PK-S and instead 
opt for Deadman's Sharpeners (Custom Sharpener) for my final sharpening 
pass:

http://www.pinkheadedbug.com/links.html

As Diane mentioned, you'll want to consider masking, especially during 
the "creative sharpen" step in your workflow. I do use the sharpening 
brushes, which provide added flexibility, but I do this less so than 
masking because I make mostly landscape images and don't need a lot of 
localized sharpening.

>  noise reduction

For noise reduction, you might consider another Photokit product...
http://www.pixelgenius.com/photokit/index.html

or the action set here called "De-noise Deluxe 1.2"...
http://www.2morrow.dk/75ppi/coolpix/actions/

I use both of these. De-noise Deluxe is a bit of a sledge hammer, but 
you can manage changes as you go and experiment until you've got it 
dialed in. Photokit (different than PK Sharpener) is another useful 
series of action sets. The Noise Reduction set (1, 2 &3) allows you to 
apply changes incrementally but otherwise offers no control beyond 
limiting opacity and fill or using masks. Both PK and De-Noise Deluxe 
have their strengths and shortcoming. Together, they're really nice to 
have.

Good luck!
Mark