While I can't point to any specific best-connection-practices with regard to 1394 devices, I would like to express agreement with you that it is a real issue. I observed the destruction of 2 external 1394 hard drives and an expensive Canon camcorder before researching and finding out about destructive 1394 failure modes.

As a result, I've been a little gun-shy about using firewire drives, although I've recently switched one of my dual-interface external drives from USB-2 to firewire.

With my camcorder -- a Sony digital-8 -- there's not a vialble alternative, so it's firewire all the way. My usual connection method has the computer running with the firewire cable connected at the computer end. I then plug it in at the camera, with the camcorder turned off. I haven't done this 100% of the time -- occasionally there will be a distraction which results in variation, but this is the way I do it when paying attention.

Also -- if your hardware permits -- you might consider using a 4-pin to 4-pin connector from 1394 interface to camcorder, as this provides additional isolation from the power pins on a 6-pin connector.

I look forward to seeing the links that you've mentioned.