The focus areas for best practice are
GUI Tools
Use GUI tools for CVS client
Developer Sandbox
Keep System clocks in Sync
Do not share the sandbox
Do not work outside the sandbox
Stay in sync with the repository
Cleanup after completion
Check-in often
Server Configuration
CVS Server side scripting
CVS Server notification
Branching and Merging
Assign ownership to trunk and branches
Tag each release
Create a branch after each release
Make bug fixes to branches only
Make patch releases from branches only
Change propagation
Merge branch with the trunk after each release
Software Builds
Build early and build often
Automate build process completely
All necessary files must be checked in before a build
Institutionalize in the Organization
Implement change management
Make CVS usage part of developer's objectives
Collect metrics on CVS usage