My research

Cost
After all that info (shared in the last post) was forced into my sphere of reasoning...I decided to take a look at the numbers - everyone said it was cheaper - but is it cost effective to use the "new and improved" cloth diapers?  If so, I was becoming convinced the extra laundry was worth it.

The problem with answering the $ question for you is that there are MANY, MANY options out there.  I can simply say that if you choose to cloth diaper for economy, you can successfully do so easily and save hundreds, and thousands if you have multiple children.

For our family, the choices I made in cloth diapering cost me close to $200 up front.  At the time, my monthly expense on paper diapers ($40) meant that I only had to use cloth for 5 months in order to break even.  I estimate that this year I will save over $500 on diapering just on Little Brother, and hope Kendra will potty train sooner due to her cloth experience.  Once little brother comes, that time frame decreases quickly as you use more diapers on newborns, therefore you spend more per month.  If you are about to become a new parent and the money I quoted above  for disposable sounds ridiculous...I can assure you that no one was more diligent than I on finding the best deal using coupons, etc...and my numbers are conservative.  Veteran parents know I speak truth!  :-)  Some places say  around $3000 per child on disposable diapers from birth to potty training...I think that is based on an average price of $0.23/diaper - but you get the idea...it is a lot, and cloth is significantly cheaper.  The more children that use them, the more you wind up saving too!

I do have a confession to make.  I did not go the cheapest route possible.  There.  It pains me much to say such a thing.  I simply did not have the energy to fabricate my own acceptable diapers, and I wasn't interested in the old style pre-folds with pins/snappis.  I went with new instead of used since I plan on running them through multiple children and don't want to have to buy more later.  More to come on what I did - in the next post.

Brands/styles
As mentioned above, there are so many options out there that it quickly becomes stressful and more than too much.  It has turned many away, and I was close to being deterred as well.  Here is what I wish a friend could have told me - and then I would have chosen as I did without all the hassle.  Prices are quoted for new, if you find pre-owned, you will pay less, maybe even half.

There are basically 4 types of cloth diapers I will mention.

All in Ones (AIO's)
 - most like a disposable, waterproof outer, absorbent inner core attached to outer, all one piece.
 - takes the longest to dry in dryer (some say 2 full cycles)
 - usually costs the most ($20+ ea)
-use once before laundering
 - cannot modify absorbent material used, but can supplement extra for nighttime use
 - Bumgenius makes an adjustable size - to last from size 1 to 5
-when one part is worn out or damaged, entire diaper is done

Pocket Diapers
 - A sort of middle ground between AIO's and a diaper system
 - Waterproof outer with a pocket that you stuff the absorbent layer into prior to diapering child
 - drying time is better, but you have to stuff them to use
-Cost slightly less than an AIO, ($18+ ea)
-use once before laundering
 - you can modify absorbent material used as your baby's needs change or for daytime/nighttime.
 - Bumgenius makes an adjustable size - to last from size 1 to 5, also, I liked the Thirsties brand
 - when one part is worn out or damaged, you may still get life out of the liner or the cover

Diapering Systems
 - These offer the most flexible options available
- A waterproof outer cover, and an absorbent layer of choice, either cloth or disposable.
 - These offer short drying time, but you have two pieces to address either after laundering or during changing time.
 - These are about $9-14 ea, but you can buy less covers and use them more than once before laundering.  Inserts range from $0.30-$8 each depending on what material they are
 - Cottonbabies makes a system called "Flips", that is a one-size cover and onesize insert or disposable insert.  You can also buy a small newborn insert to reduce bulkiness on small babies for $2/ea.
-BestBottoms makes a system that is a onesize cover, and 3 diff size inserts, so you will have a little more expense in the inserts due to needing to buy more, but more control over absorption and bulk.  They also snap in, where the others just lay in.
 - gdiapers makes a system that is not onesize, but boasts the slimmest fit, and a biodegradable option that can be flushed or composted.

Old School - Prefold/fitted
 - Consists of a waterproof outer over either a prefold that is held in place by a snapi or pins, or a fitted cotton diaper, that looks like a disposable but is made of flannel.
-bulky
-more work during diaper change - like putting on 2 diapers at once
-cheapest route possible besides making your own

The inner core of all the above can be made and/or supplemented with the following inserts/soakers:
(listed in order of quickness of absorption, and in general, the slower the absorption rate, the more capacity of liquid will be held)

-Disposable (usually made without chemicals or dyes, throw in trash like a disposable diaper and re-use outer shell, or, gdiapers disposable inserts can be flushed or composted as well, some use for baby sitters and trips, but the price is usually more than just buying a disposable diaper to use)
-Microfleece (usually used in conjunction with microfiber) wicks moisture away from skin
-Microfiber (cannot be directly against skin as it is irritating, but is light weight, dries fast and soft on the line, and absorbent.)
-Organic Cotton (as in pre-folds, or flats.  Very absorbent, holds a lot, dries slower, will be stiff if hung on a line to dry, good for heavy wetters and nap/nighttime)
-Bamboo (texture similar to cotton, but not a quick to soak up liquid, usually comes in a shaped pad and frequently used under a microfiber pad to boost capacity during nighttime or if you must go a long time between changes.)
-Silk (I honestly don't know much about it, other than it is REALLY pricey)
-Hemp (most capacity, slowest to absorb, comes in a shaped pad, too slow to put directly against skin but a great booster for heavy wetters)
-Liners (biodegradable or microfleece, used to catch poo solids, allowing the liquids to flow through.  Helpful with older children, either throw away, flush, or launder depending on your preference.  If you use these you don't need to rinse or scrape poo off the insert.)