well i'm taking the 3dbuzz houdini course as well.
the thing i'm finding frustrating is questions like "how many spheres are were created?", i'm getting wrong!! i failed a couple of those early tests and i watched the vtms.
and yeah, i would have to agree that it is a really good thing for everybody to keep going over the basics, especially since houdini went into the v5.x stage and heaps of workflow issues have/are changing quite radically.
it's also good to see heaps of people taking on the course, i'm sure this will lead to good things in the future. SESI and all houdini users would have to be happy with that!
i actually don't mind the the way the vtm is conducted, calling edges - 'guys' and all that, but maybe one day we can get special vtms by houdini socialites..... i would love one by rangi sutton!!
btw mg, i think it healthy to think of yourself and others as insane, this way you keep things in perspective