Trying to bump up the signal to noise ratio here. I'm adding some noise.
I have repeatedly said that had the Internet existed when I first picked up a guitar, I'd be a guitar hero by now. Because there's no privacy on the Internet, I seem to see no end to the commercials for guitar learning online. Some of these guys are pretty darn good! Marty Schwarz got a cover on Wood & Steel, Taylor Guitars' free magazine for owners. Justin guitar is recognized as being one of the top free instructional sites.
Looking at some -- okay, maybe many -- of these sites I come away with mixed impressions. I know that different people have different tastes, and some learn better one way than another, so I'm not casting aspersions. The fact remains, there seems to be something for everyone on the 'Net.
I have found some very helpful sites, and they are similar in that they offer a portion of the lessons for free, and then a paid version, which might include things like backing tracks, tabs, etc. And while I like the free stuff, I haven't yet taken the bait and gone for the paid content.
Has anyone either bought online guitar stuff, or gotten paid for online material? Most of what I've seen are YouTube videos linked to web sites, but there are also sites that sell books and (for lack of a better term) gimmicks ("the magic capo that will transform you into the next Keef"). Do you buy or sell any of this, and what is your impression of them?