I've read this whole thing with great interest, as a complete beginner. I would like to point out that i have indeed tried to track down a local bonsai club or grower even a supplier of equipment with no success, so at the moment mail order, books+forum is all I have.

I do think that to some extent we have to make our own mistakes. As a keen gardener already I do have some horticultural experience. So at least I have some patience and some idea on keeping plants alive. So far I've mangled one ficus, but another two I've got into shapes that I at least find pleasing and learnt a huge amount in the process. They cost peanuts, so I've lost nothing but time.
I've resuscitated a mallsai from apparent death. (lovely word!) I've bought an oak tree and after advice on here planted it out without cutting a thing off it, and I've rescued a stump and started that off too. It was three hours work but now I can just leave it for a year and see if it's recovered from its traumatic move. I am quite prepared for nothing worthwhile to come of any of these projects. But it's fun trying!

This article could be vastly more helpful with the inclusion of clearly labeled photographs of a variety of specimens and species showing why one is a good choice and another is a poor choice. Some folks learn better from visuals than from words, written or spoken.

I don't think that anyone around here is able or willing to complete Ron's work here, this is kind of where he left it prior to his demise.