Good that it is working now.

If your photography is good, then yes there might not be much difference from RAW to JPG. Difference is with RAW you can post process the RAW image much easier as you sort of still have it like it was still in camera and can adjust things like Exposure Compensation, Contrast, Sharpening and not degrade the image, a bit like with using a Negative.

JPG to me is a bit like using a print and working with that info, so adjusting could degrade the image a bit more than RAW, and not so much leaway to adjustments.

Takes a bit of time getting used to RAW images and adjusting over JPG.

As for transfering from Cardreader as apposed to Camera, you don't have to use the camera, waste battery of camera or have hooked to power supply when transfering. Cardreader is more convenient and much smaller than camera. Just a habit I and many others here use a cardreader over using the camera. Also with us 10D users the camera is only USB 1.0 where as 20D and newer cameras are USB 2, so that is another reason we use Cardreaders, as long as the computer is USB 2 as well, which just about all, newer computers are, mine I upgraded to to USB 2 with an add on card.

Yes it is a great site and not just for newbies, us old timers get lots out of it as well.

Don't forget to look at Capture One software, I find it much better for conversion of RAW images over the other ones mentioned. RawShooter is getting there though. It has a very good support forum as well.