Growing my hair... need help!

Hi, I just registered... my name is Ed. Here's my story/problem:

In the beginning of 2000, I started growing my hair and as it got longer, it looked worse and worse because it was SO dry and curly/wavy/whatever. It was really ugly and wouldn't behave. It stuck out like Carrot Top's hair or something.

Anyway, I ended up dreading my hair and I was happy with it. Had dreads for a year and a half; they were down to my shoulders, but then I had to cut them for undisclosed reasons.

I want to grow my hair out again, but I don't plan on dreading it this time. I just want to have normal long hair, say halfway down my back. So I want to know what I can do to keep it from looking like **** again. I have no idea how to get it cut. Should I just grow it all or should I cut it a bit now and then. How should I cut it (a delicate fade, perhaps? I don't want an undercut!) What kind of stuff should I put in my hair as far as shampoos/conditioners/whatever?