Adding a New Field to Database and Display

I'm trying to follow http://www.pricetapestry.com/node/313 to add a new field but it's a little misleading. All I want to do is add a new field to the database, then import that field and display it on the product page. I'm sure this is nothing new. Is there a better thread that explains this. Also maybe it should be added to the manual, under the random items index.

Thanks in advance.