ALL ENCOMPASSING GUIDE(s)?

Out the gate I apologize because im sure this thread is going to piss some people off and these questions have probably been beat to death however i didnt have as much luck using the search function as I thought I would ...

Where to start...

Well , I guess i'll start by stating that im the type of guy that , more often than not, needs some type of step by step intensive guide when attempting to take on a new task. - I've purchased the Indoor Horticulturalists bible... Is this the BEST ALL AROUND - uh - all encompassing guide or "bible" of growing, lol...

2nd - I'm the type of dude that wants to utilize all of the most effective methods and tricks to getting the most out of my money and time = (setup + plants) as possible and im assuming there is either an updated bible or purhaps certain things that may need to be added to it? Any help on finding these things is definetly appreciated.

Which leads to my next question - (i can feel the flames already) from a time and money vs. yeild stand point *gulp* which is better... Soil or Hydro ?

Lets say that the soil method using 50 plants of X strand requires 1-2 hours a day during the veg period for 60 days and 30 min. a day during the Flowering period for 30 days to get Z amount of Yield. How much time would I add per day but subtract in growth period to get the same yield using the hydro method? Also how much more effort is required to ensure a stable growing environment with the hydro method?

Basically at the end of the day I dont want to make an investment of time and money to find out that there is a more efficient and productive way to produce the most from each beautiful plant with as ( i hesitate to say this ) ... with as little effort as possible as long as the time put in equals that much more reward.

Sorry if im coming across as some wet behind the ears shit head and im offending you guys but I just had to ask this stuff... I understand there is PREFERENCE to everything ... therefore coming up with answers to questions like "What are the BEST lights" obviously will result in various answers from various people...

Quick idea (gun it down if you want its certainly not original) - Why not start opinion threads on every step of the growing process and the pros and cons of that choice and then toss them in the FAQ so that the forums dont get flooded with newb questions EVERY day... well atleast they could just be told "go to the FAQ" cause us newbs will continue to come i'm sure...

I'm getting way ahead of myself ... i'll shut my dumb ass up now...

Thanks for anything ... (even constructive flaming)
~Zion

ZION - LOL - Occasionaly I see posts like yours on here.. you want to ask a lot but you want to walk light.. and you talk abuot flaming etc..

And it sounds like an abused child.. like you have been on other messgae boards and people were just complete assholes... am I right?

FYI- : ) nothing but love for you!!!

: )

I suggest you get more books... Mel Frank, Jorge Cervantes etc, your question is more like a conversation... LOL..

you want to grow right? You need to just dig in... if you are a cheap, just get a cfl and some dirt and go to it.. it will cost you $20.00

sure, problems will arise, but with each problem you will become a better grower, cause You'll solve that problem!!!

i love you

LOL... indeed... assholes...other forums... questions like short convos... yeah... i like info in massive chunks... not little snippets.... oh well... time to adjust I suppose...

Its all love baby

~Zion