• is there an equivalent of a BTS block explorer that one can check progress of transactions
https://cryptofresh.com - but Bitshares transactions are quicker than cryptofresh (or poloniex) is likely to load, at times like this.
• is there an equivalent of a BTS paper wallet (I exported the backup wallet but it's electronic. Nothing like seeing a bunch of numbers & letters in your face for the feeling of security)
There was one, although I'm not ready to recommend it. Ultimately, a paper wallet is just a print out of your numbers & letters..
• you know the account name that you create in the BTS client. Is that the 'address' that one should use for withdrawing to from the exchange ? (It's what I used)
Yes, isn't it elegant?
• you know how in Bitcoin people create multiple addresses for different purposes (trading, cold wallet etc). Is that also recommended practice in Bitshares or do we just hold everything under the one account ?
I think this is a personal decision, but it does seem reasonable to segregate things to suit your own record-keeping.