RAW Workflow

[djiezes]

I recently bought a Canon EOS 1000D. I'm new to photography and shooting raw images. And i'm curious what's the best way to handle raw files?

Is it preferable to use the software that comes with the camera? EOS Utility and/or Digital Photo Professional? I reckon Canons own software may be better at processing their raw images than other software?

Or would I indeed be better off streamlining the whole workflow with Adobe Lightroom? Batch-processing all images upon copying them to the harddisk? If so, how? Do I need to use a specific profile for my Canon model?
Is batch-processing raw images advisable? safe?
Do you save edited raw images as jpegs? Or is that unnecessary?

Is it advisable to convert the raw (.cr2) files to adobe's .dng format?

Do you save all pictures in raw + jpg with the camera? Only raw? Only raw when necessary?

How is your workflow set up?

Any answers, replies, helpful tips or insights in how you handle raw files would be appreciated.

Summarized:
- Canons software or Adobe Lightroom (or Picasa)?
- batch-processing raw images? Or unnecessary?
- save edited raws as jpeg?
- convert all to .dng?
- workflow tips?