[Scribus] preflight questions

[s20031701 at tuks.co.za]

hi all,

I have to setup a weekly newspapers workflow and have chosen scribus for the 
layout. My question is: Do I need preflight tools? 

We have been looking at o.r.i.s. (full suite) but its rather expensive. A few 
things that is nice is the page paring the dotgain handeling and the checking of 
incoming pdfs (ads). 

Are there good cheaper options? 

How nice would I have to ask to get page pairing added to scribus? (Can it be 
done in a script? Export each page as pdf and import on doublesized page?)

Can scribus evaluate a pdf for embedded fonts, resolution and stuf like that?

Can scribus compensate for dotgain (does it matter for text)? can gimp? 

Any advice for a workflow system (opensource or other)? 

Thanks,
Kobus

P.S. For the price they want to charge me I can employ two programmers to work 
on the problem!!