Good advice, and as you said, often overlooked.  Learn to use it in
conjunction with your mirror lockup mode, too, for those extra stable
shots without mirror slap.

As for the length, I don't know what connector it is, but I suspect
it's similar to the Canon's, which uses a standard micro sized stereo
(3-conductor) connector.  Canon's only about 2 feet or so in length.  

To counteract that, I've got a 50' mini stereo extension cable (one of
the very thin wire ones for mini-headphones) and the adapters to go
from mini to micro on one end and from micro to mini onthe other end
(available from Radio Shack) in my gadget bag for when I want to set
the camera up in a location somewhat away from my observation point.
Works like a charm, including half- and full- shutter button emulation.

Done a bunch of closeup, high-speed (1/4000) hummingbird photos (as
proof-of-concept for me to be able to do it) with that setup.  Next
year, I'm going to set it up near some flowers that they frequent
instead of my feeder and sit back with a cold beverage in my hand and
wait, for some more natural pictures.  I also have a couple of other
lengths of headphone extension cords (6', 12', 20') for when necessary.