I have used the Robert Carr method and it works well.  Another place to check for downloadable "photoshop actions" is The Lights Right Studio.  There is in the middle bottom of the page a window to click for photoshop actions, including bw conversions.  I have one action from this site and it works quite well, within the parameters of my own fiddling around.
http://www.thelightsrightstudio.com/digital-darkroom.htm

One good thing about Photoshop and PSP is that in PS actions ease the workload and can be as easy or complicated as you wish. Easy enough to record the methods as a action in PS or with slightly different approaches as a "script" in PSP.

The main reason I posted this thread was twofold, duotone if you will:  I need to do better with bw conversions and lots of folks who might read the thread will find a new and effective means with them still at the helm of the result.

All the posted replies are greatly appreciated. Keep it up,folks.   Thanks.      Tom.