Hi Chris
I was browsing through the Beginner AP thread (looking for advice of my own) when I came across your post. I also use a Canon 1000d.
The previous comments made by others are all valid. I can add one thing.
I use Craig Stark's Nebulosity to drive my 1000d and also to do some limited processing (to be fair, in the beginning I used it to do everything). Google will lead you to it. There is a free trial available.
It's not inhibitive in price, about USD 60. I can seriously recommend it, it made my life so much easier than Canon EOS Utility etc. (and I hear you say "Not
another something else... "
You'll find that it converts Canon's RAW format straight into a FITS format on the fly, very useful. I also never use ICNR on for long exposure and high ISO as Nebulosity (and some darks) takes care of this. It aslo takes care of aligning, stacking and the like.
Hope this helps.
Clear Skies
Liam
PS - I have nothing to do with Stark labs etc. I'm just an AP on a budget (have you seen the ZAR > Anything exchange rate?
)