I use slatted racks in western MA. They're said to give more room, help prevent swarming, get bottom brood box a little farther from the entrance. They seem to be working, but I've never done a comparison study. They definitely do give a little more breathing room in the hive. Pine works for bottom boards. Cedar will last longer.I'll let someone who uses small cell comment on that. There are people on beesource.com that swear by it and others that say it's hogwash. You'll get different answers to any beekeping question you ask.

In almost twenty years of trying to be a good honeybee steward, I've never used either.

My two cents:
1) My original lady teacher/mentor had this philosophy about woodenware: the less used in the hive, the less you have to maintain. This applied to all "unnecessary" pieces of wood: hive stands, landing boards, slatted racks - she did, however, use inner covers. She also had a few hundred hives she worked - so any "extra" effort had to always be multiplied times two or three hundred - thus you understand her take on the matter.
I've never used a slatted rack but to me, half the fun of beekeeping is kinda "experimenting" with things. So, I'd say "go for it" - try one hive with it and one without and then switch the next year - see if you think it makes any real difference!

2) Whatever is less expensive. Pine will last just fine if it's painted/protected. (I frequently use a light coat of 'Boiled Linseed Oil', let it dry thoroughly and then paint).

3) I agree with Tony's answer on this one. I watched this whole concept get started originally on beesource.com several years ago. I've never tried messing with the 'small cell' idea so I guess you could say I'm part of the "hogwash" school of thought on this particular topic. However, I am a Darwinist, so I do suspect the ultimate answer will lie in genetic selection. As soon as genetic selection pressures force sufficient hygienic behavior, the honeybees will overcome the mite problem (which, the small cell thing is supposed to be addressing).
I guess I just think if the bees tend to grow bigger, the mites will grow bigger; conversely, if the bees tend to grow smaller, the mites will grow smaller (just a Mother Nature thing going on IMHO).
Nevertheless, again, it's part of the fun for a hobbyist beekeeper - feel free to experiment, have fun - there is much we still don't know about these little critters!

A few years ago my big attempt to put in small cell foundation flopped. The bees chewed it up, pushed it aside, and built bigger cells. It's a nice idea with some good arguments in favor of it, but unless you can also buy or luck into a queen from the good ol' days, I doubt it will work.

Thank you all for your input. Since I'm not planning on having more than one or two hives, I think I'll spring for the extra woodenware and try the slatted rack.

Re the small cell foundation -- the more I read the less I think I know -- I'm thinking until I've got a year or two of beekeeping experience, I'll just stick with the tried and true old-fashioned foundation. Then maybe I'll try to experiment with it. Then again, if my colonies stay healthy, maybe I just won't mess with a good thing.

Thanks again for taking the time to share your knowledge and experience

Pat