Link
Unless otherwise instructed by the pattern, I almost exclusively use the long-tail cast on with the usual results...most time I allot enough yarn for the number of stitches to be cast on; sometimes I allot too much yarn and sometimes not enough (which means frogging and starting over). The You-Tube video from Beth Brown-Reinsel eliminates the guess work in the long-tail cast on. Bless you Beth!
If you haven't checked out her book, Knitting Ganseys, I highly recommend it. The photos and instructions are clear. I'm excited to see that she's produced a DVD of the techniques in the book. This DVD is now on my list of items I should treat myself to.