I have been using these rotors for about 7000kms and they are holding up amazing... I was very easy on them for the first 500kms thats about it.
I wouldn't recommend cross drilling since they crack and all but they look nice. If you do a seach on the brakes forum you can find a lot of useful info.
The plating is just a coating which prevents rust. The coating on the surface of the rotor which the pad touches goes away since the pad contacts it but all the other places stay on (I have the coating and its still on all other places) You can also choose the color of plating; Silver, black or gold.