You can select multiple body parts at once and manipulate them. If you want to make a fist:

Drill down the Scene hierarchy until you see all the [finger]1 items.
Click on the first one.
Hold down the CTRL key and select each additional one.
Right click on the Bend option and enter a numberic value.

Now all of the fingers have bent the same amount. You can then click on the plus sign for each finger to reveal [finger]2, CTRL click each one, and bend them as well. (And of course, you can select [finger]1 and [finger]2 (etc.) at the same time if you want to bend them by the same amount.)

You can also move the slider around - it depends on what you're more comfortable with.

I prefer the parameter dials, but you can use the rotate globe as well. Make sure the Rotate tool at the top is pressed. A multi-colored globe shows up. Draging on a circle will make the object rotate in that direction.

In this picture, Red will make the hair rotate up and down (XRotate), green will spin around the head (YRotate) and blue will make it spin left and right (ZRotate.)

Just make sure you have the Move tool active at the top. Drag on an arrow head and the object will *only* move in that direction/plane. It's a great way to make sure you don't accidentally move things on the wrong plane. (Ever though you were simply moving something up, but found out you had also moved it behind the character? These arrows make sure you don't do that.)

Great stuff! All these tips help!

I found the 'restrict to one plane' tools too, but I have to say, I find them pretty klunky to use. 3d max has the same system, but it's way more elegant and easy to use. Of course, 3d max isn't free, which makes a slight difference.... mac