Street samurai are pretty much always enjoyable, and they get a lot more options in Dragonfall since you can go with the more expensive bioware rather than the cheaper but more essence-draining cyberware.
Looking forward to when the game company can make a version that's a straight port of the pen and paper Shadowrun, with all the customization that brings with it.

Just made my Icewind EE party, complete with a gnome barbarian who uses a two-handed sword named Anklebiter.
If I hadn't decided to harm myself by adding a bard, I would have gone with a female druid who shapeshifts into a werewolf.
I like the thought of the barbarian trying to hit on someone who could literally eat his face if he annoyed her.
Good morning. =)

I tend to go for chronological series runs, but in the end it comes down to your enjoyment (or level of masochism).
If it's not working, I'd say to read a plot synopsis so you're up to date on any story elements, then go on to the next.

Additional - in the first five seconds, someone's saying my half-orc is only good for farming.
If it wouldn't screw my game up from the jump, I'd be roleplaying my evil party properly and they'd be starting a bar fight right about now.