Please don't misunderstand me, I agree with you on the points you make. I am not disputing these points. I am merely stating that for a new user, some of the conventions you use here are daunting to say the least. Some are also quite simple and elegant but to the beginner something like "${VAR%/*}" is greek
That said, yes... your scripts and you skill level will improve the more you use better scripting habits. Never has been a question there either.
I would suggest to any that wish to learn that they take all examples you and others give and learn the differences as they get more comfortable.
The 30 minute reference was meant to refer to time spent doing google searches. A lot of beginners neglect man pages. Either from lack of knowledge of their existence or from lack of good habbit.
Hey nice function (sman) by the way.