Patching and Plastering - Plaster repairs on old house

I just bought an old house and have some plaster repairs to do. Below I've listed the different types of repairs and what I plan to do - let me know if there is a better/easier way.

1. Basic nail holes - spackling
2. Hairline cracks in various places - spackling
3. Stress cracks - usually between doors, windows, and in the ceiling. Sometimes a bit big.
It was recommended to me to use joint tape - the mesh sort, not paper - and then use drywall mud to skim over it with at least three thin coats, then sand/paint.
4. Larger holes (3" or so)
I read in a book that you can use a drywall plug, keeping the paper on the outside to patch bigger holes in plaster. Haven't tried it yet.

Thoughts?

Thanks,

Jesse

http://doityourself.com/patch/plastercracks.htm

http://homedoctor.net/tipsfaq/4.1.html

http://www.diynet.com/DIY/article/0,2058,3536,00.html

http://www.turnto10.com/hometips/1151044/detail.html

http://doityourself.com/paint/repairs.htm

http://www.411homerepair.com/ideas/General_Household/RepairingLargeCracksinPlasterWalls.shtml