how do we calculate or determine the distance to stars? what units do we use and what are the limitations (if any) of the method used for such calculations?

Question

how do we calculate or determine the distance to stars?  what units do we use and what are the limitations (if any) of the method used for such calculations?

Damon · Answer

I would say red shift (Doppler effect makes distant star look lower frequency because moving away faster) but here is more: http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20080111073209AAFvKP7