Did everyone learn from the manuals? I tried watching one of the vids and I got really confused.
Everytime I read a manual continue to discover what is forgotten or find something that now has importance.
Even the manuals or stuff written by myself.

Actualy you have to study the manual.
Thinking back, would say that the best recomendation would be to buy "CNC Programming Hanbook" by Smid. Then
play with the machine and Mach for experience.
Vidoes are great, but, they are too fast to comprehend sometimes.
FWIW,
RICH