speeding up an opengl engine

I want to speed up my opengl application.
I hope you can help me.
I don`t know how to use vertex arrays, display lists, nv_vertex_fences.Why it is good when i use compiled vertexarray.
I will be happy if you give me some urls where i can find articles, tutorials, some source codes about these.

Thanks
ice

Hi !

Us usual, google is your best friend.

Mikael