I myself have learned from Carolyn Meinel. When I was a total noob, I stumbled upon her writings. Now I understand the command prompt and how to use it and more. I think pooh sun tzu hit it right on the head when he said that she gives you intoductory tutorials on subjects that people can expand on a much larger scale.

I respect her alot. And I do know there are some things questionable her, but she makes up for it by pointing noob's in the right direction.