build guides

so, I was considering trying to build my own laser. people are always saying its much cheaper to buy the parts and put them together, and it sounds fun.
im having trouble finding a decent guide though. the one here I had bookmarked and was going to go back to it but it was removed. the sams laser faq i've looked at, but it goes into so much detail constantly that I wouldnt know where to look for the fundamentals, and it constantly uses unexplained terminology.
I was wondering if anyone would recommend this as a starter guide, although im not sure just how much a few paragraphs could teach:http://technology.niagarac.on.ca/people/mcsele/lasers/LasersOther.htm
i thought i would start off with a simple red diode design.