I've only had my Weber OTG for a year and I just bunch up about 4 sheets of newspaper and put em under the chimney and light em with a butane lighter.. works great, and the charcoals are ready in about 10 minutes. I'm definitely getting a second chimney for those big direct heat cooks.
I don't own a WSM, I have a Weber OTG. The way I learned was to rub right before putting them on the cooking grate as the coals are getting hot. I'm a newbie and I've done ribs twice now so that doesn't make me an authority by any means. I've had some good reviews though !! Family and friends...