Digital BW, The Print

I wonder if you can help me. I have multiple searches but cant quite find answers. So sorry if 
these are perennial questions. 

1/ I have been using MIS EZN inks and an Epson C84. I have been thinking of Crane Museo 
Silver Rag from Somerset Velvet Radiant White to get a better DMax. The Silver Rag seems to 
be listed variously as Semi-Matte, Semi-Gloss, Gloss Look, and  Gloss. 
a) Am I correct in assuming this is indeed 'technically' a gloss paper and I need to use the 
Photo Black EZ-T0441-PK and not the Eboni Black EZ-T0441-K ink?
b) Will this paper need spraying to 'seal' after printing. What spray do you recommend?

2/ Is InkSupply.com still in business? The web site is darn slow and no info seem to have 
been updated for over 12 months (new letter, updates etc.)?

3/ Are the MIS-EZN inks still the best 'low cost' way of simply printing decent B&W or has one 
of the big printer makers (Epson, Canon, HP etc) come up with a better way and I just cant 
find that info on their sites.

Thanks