Heat absorbing glass or one-size-fits all glass carrier for 23CII negative popping problem

Hi,

I just spent the better part of yesterday trying to print from a 35mm
negative in my Beseler 23CII. I had already noticed some focusing
problems with this print but had attributed it to the negative itself.
After a rather long and involved burning and dodging sequence (I'm
still recovering from it), I noticed when I removed the negative from
the carrier that it had sort of protruded a bit through the carrier.
It was rather striking.

I gather that this is the infamous "negative popping" problem that has
attracted much discussion on this group (see for example
http://groups.google.com/groups?hl=e...com%26rnum%3D2).
I am in some ways relieved to have an explanation, because I had been
going crazy figuring out why I had to constantly refocus for _every_
exposure. It also explains why the focus never seemed quite right.

So here are my questions.

First, does the Beseler "heat absorbing glass" (Beseler # 8042) occupy
the space in the filter drawer where the filter frame itself goes? If
so, how would I use my VC filters? Having shelled out some odd $20 for
those filters, I am loathe to have to buy below-the-lens filters.

Second, can anyone share their experience in using Beseler universal
glass negative carriers (either the plain 8074 or anti-Newton 8072)? I
find this option very intriguing for a couple of reasons. I plan to
start doing medium format sometime in the not-to-distant future, and
have limited space in my closet darkroom. The idea of having a
one-size-fits all carrier appeals to me. Also, my reading of the
archvies on this topic is that a glass carrier is the only sure-fire
solution to the popping problem because even with the heat-absorbing
glass the problem occurs. There was one post that went so far as to
say that, even without popping, any unevenness in the negative results
in loss of sharpness. If so, this is a compelling argument. I am
resigned to living with having to clean the extra surfaces.

If I were to go for the glass negative carrier option, is the
anti-Newton carrier worth the extra money? Are there other solutions
to Newton rings?

Finally, since it's going to take me a bit of time to make this
decision and/or convince my wife of why I'm spending more for an
enlarger accessory than I spent for the enlarger itself, I am looking
for interim solutions. One suggestion I saw was to tightly tape the
negative to the carrier so as to stretch it out. Any other ideas?

Thanks!

--Phil