Will the Canon 580EXII speedlite work with the strobist way of lighting?

Hi-- I just purchased the Canon 580EX II Speedlite to use with my Canon EOS 40D from B&H Photo.

Here's my concern...Reviews on the B&H Photo site for the 580 EX II imply that I may not be able to use it off-camera and fire it with a Pocket Wizard, the way we like to here at The Stobist. Yikes!!

I had planned on buying the complete Pocket Wizard Kit from Midwest Photo Exchange in about a month. Now these reviews have me worried that I won't be able to use it that way (ie: off-camera and fired with a Pocket Wizard).

I would love to know if you fellow stobist have used the 580 EX II successfully off-camera with the Pocket Wizard (or other remote devices). Thanks!

Here are some of the reviews, in part...

"If you use this flash as a master and another one as a slave, there is NO WAY to quickly turn off the master switch to keep the slave flash from firing. "
AND...
"The first 580 flash has a switch that you can just turn off. Not this one. DO NOT BUY THIS FLASH IF YOU DO SLAVE-FLASH PHOTOGRAPHY."
AND FINALLY...
"...very disappointing that the pc socket does not work for external flashes or remote transmitters. It is only to be used for other external units or remote senders to trigger the 580 EX II what a bummer."

I'm worried and confused. Kindly fill me in on your experiences with the 580 EX II. Thanks!