Since you're into reading up on it, look at Sheldon's article http://sheldonbrown.com/wheelbuild.html#tensioning and Roger Musson's book "A Professional Guide to Wheel Building" http://www.wheelpro.co.uk/wheelbuilding/book.php. Wheel trueing and tensioning are a significant part of wheel building and they both have a wealth of info that will help you. If you learn to do it right you will, I'm sure, find it satisfying and rewarding. Plus, it definitely helps you understand one of the most important components on your bike - the one that holds you up and keeps you rolling along.