My Fuji Team (Ritchey SuperLogic Prestige steel) definitely rode smoother than my Cannondale full-touring bike, given two sets of wheels using the same rims and tires. The following years' Fuji Team was full Easton custom-drawn and still rode firmer than my steel version (and not much lighter either, about 1/2 pound as I recall). So there's my 2c worth on the steel/aluminum question. I'm not a frame-material Nazi, by the way.

As for carbon forks, the only one I've owned was a Kestrel EMS, and it was very firm. I would never have thought to describe it as shock-damping in the least, not compared to a nice steel fork a la Davidson Signature or such. Maybe they just built it a bit too robust.