David,
Steve and Rich both gave you some good advice. Finishing can be a confusing subject mainly because of the conflicting "facts" that you hear. As you read through these forums you will find that some people really know what they are talking about and some don't. Steve Schoene's advice can generally be treated as gospel, Howard Acheson (spelling?) is also very knowledgeable.
Try out some of the non-poly finishes that are appropriate for the project you are working on and you will increase the level of your work. I also recommend "Understanding Wood Finishing" by Bob Flexner, it is probably the best book out there for a person looking to learn the hows and whys of finishing.
Rob