I apologize for overlooking your first question. I prefer to use backup/restore to move databases. The files to be moved are usually smaller, and I believe it is somewhat more reliable. Copying the MDF and LDF will work, but I recommend using detach on each database before shutting the database down. Whether you use backup/restore, or copy mdf/ldf, you should perform a log backup first (if you are running Full or Bulk-Logged, but not Simple).