Scratching posts??

This is just a silly fun little question to help get to know eachother's pets a little better...

Do your cats use a scratching post? What kind to they prefer. My cats love the kind that's made of the rope. I also have an old, old desk chair, that I let them scratch. So far, that keeps them off the rest of the furniture. My Aunt used a scrap of carpet. Do any of you have special tricks that you use to teach them not to scratch forbidden areas?