Sharepoint Custom Application Pages

If you are one of those who want to add custom application pages to sharepoint, then the following infos might be useful:

• Put your aspx files in the _layouts folder (directly, not an sub folder)
• If you get errors, edit the web.config file in the _layouts folder to allow debug and turn custom errors off. (not in the web.config of the sharepoint.app)
• Its easier to use incode aspx files rather than code behind files (perhaps someone could use a combination of this and the last item in this list)
• If you want the look and feel of other sharepoint pages use the application.master file
• This project might be useful: http://subliminalsystems.com/Downloads/ItemAuditing_Whitepaper.doc
• A different approach: http://ablog.apress.com/?p=1369

Whats left is that i want to use the Sharepoint User Controls like the other application pages but how do i do that?

Is this possible? Perhaps someone can tell me

UPDATE:

What works for me is to create a project under the _layouts folder and mark the aspx files as Build Action = none. Additionally i removed the iis application. it can compile but not debug but thats ok at the moment. Inline code files does'nt even call the Page_Load Event in my case.