I'm self taught, and seem to play quite differently to me freinds, which isn't really to good for confidence, but I'm alot happier now i know there are other poeple, and that the whole thing is just preference...:)
The other method i use which i forgot to mention is index (a and g) and ring (b), but i dont use this often and only for a few songs... but the barring method i find best when playing fast...