Joint compound

[bandejapaisa]

I was going to ask...

What material do you use to skim a wall, whether it's fresh plasterboard or a previously plastered wall?

...and what is mud ?

But then i read this: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joint_compound

Is this always used to skim a wall no matter what the type of application?

Can you use this instead of 'filler' for filling holes and cracks ?

 

[PrenticeBoyofDerry]

What material do you use to skim a wall, whether it's fresh plasterboard or a previously plastered wall?

I generally use multi-finish

...and what is mud ?

In the UK it is what you get underfoot whilst walking in the rain!
In North America it is the term they use for jointing compound

Is this always used to skim a wall no matter what the type of application?

You do not skim a wall with jointing compound, it is used when joint taping ideally with tapered edged boards the application of this is used where boards are joined/butted up, also used over thin coat beads on external angles and window reveals, plus you will spot the screw heads with it.
It would normally take two over three applications to fill the joints out, and would be sanded after each application has dried.

Can you use this instead of 'filler' for filling holes and cracks ?

You can providing the cracks are not massive, it would also help prevent the crack reappearing if you taped over the cracks prior to applying this.