revised plan for fixing plaster walls

Hey, I may be able to get those walls smooth after all! I was hesitant to post my vague plans and ask for help from fellow housebloggers, but I'm really glad I did. :) I am now convinced that I can try smoothing out my plaster walls by skim-coating with joint compound. I may have to knock some of the wall-texture off in places, but getting fairly smooth walls shouldn't really be that much harder than globbing on more texture, and I think the results will be more desirable.

The new plan:
--> de-grease walls, and knock heaviest texture off
--> tape cracks with fiberglass mesh
--> apply several skim-coats of joint compound. (I think I will experiment with doing at least some coats with the magic trowel method).
--> sand
--> prime
--> paint