I've been pondering this one, so here it goes.
What is the preferred way of setting up your canitlever brakes? With a shimano Y-bend style stradle cable or the more old fashioned U shaped stradle cable plate and wire? Which gives you more stopping power (or are they the same)? How about modulation?
I've noticed many people set their cross bike canti's with a lot of post sticking out for the brake shoe (where applicable) and have a wider "stance" with the brake arms (such as older XTR, XT and LX brakes).
I've been using Avid shorty 4's and am completely dissatisfied with the performance of these brakes.

The old school straddle usually works better because you'd have more uniform pull. Even more so w/ a tri-dangle, which holds the straddle cable in place. W/ the y-type, it can pull to one side if the brake cable doesn't fall directly above the center of the rim. This happens mostly w/ small frames like mine.

I'd suggest trying new pads first. Koolstop Salmons work great.

Either is fine. And with either, you can adjust your straddle height and get the exact lever feel that you want. The yoke allows you to make changes on the fly. However the Y-style 'link wire' comes in different lengths, and you can use the one that is applicable to the adjustment you're trying to acheive.

As with most things bike related, refer to Sheldon Brown for the tech details:
http://sheldonbrown.com/canti-trad.html