Sail Control Tacking: Mechanical advantage

I had my hobie out for the second big weedkend. I found that I also had many difficulties trying to run up wind. I really dont know how to use the mainsheet system. I find that I am adjusting the wind my main gets with simply the travler car alone. What is the true intended use of these pulleys. Secondly when turning and coming about is it best to turn head to wind or with the wind. I found that if I turned head to wind my jib wouldn't make the switch and I was always in irons then. but if i swung away with the wind I was able to get going again only prolem is Im doing like a full circle then. I just feel like I'm sailing a big square out there that won't obey me. Please help on proper tactics here.

I am thinking about getting Rick White's video:Total Boat Handling. Has anyone ever watched this? It says it will show you how to properly tack, jibe, start, stop, and back wind the jib. That's a lot of info packed into a 30 minute video but I think it will help more that reading about it.