EX........

I'm basically lazy and half blind so I take the easy but sure route and use the good ol' Uni knot. I also use a Double Uni when marrying braids to mono. No problems.
Not too long ago someone posted a neat link to a great knot site on a previous thread that showed some other simple and strong braid knots. It might have been from Berkley or Stren or some such vendor. Check it out on Bob's search.
By the way, it seems like the cheap scissors that shear, more than those that cut sharply, seem to work best for braids. I picked up a nice cheap pair labeled specifically for braids at Sportco.
I think you were also asking about mono backing on another thread. Personally I think it's a good idea to lay down a mono bed but only if you have the room to spare. I don't bother with backing on my smaller reels, but on my bigger reels I do in order to avoid the expense of respooling an entire reel of expensive braid all the time. Braids tend to swell, cinch and pinch over time, so a mono backing can definately help maintain a cleaner, smoother wind over time as well.

fish off