Effects Rookie

I'm in need of resources for learning what the heck all this stuff means.

Long story short, I've returned to the industry after a 13 year absense, learned some basic hog4 stuff, have an EOS & older ETC OS background, but I can't get anywhere w/ the hog4 effects engine because I don't even know what all of the terms & functions mean, or how the fuctions actually manipulate data.

I've looked here in the forums, but honestly, it's all gibberish to me since I know *nothing*. Set me on the path of self-education, please!