I beg to differ Jack most certainly has made mistakes.
Add to that list, "watching a TV show and assuming you can replicate with little practical knowledge and cheap equipment in one season what experts using top-of-the-line equipment worked years to achieve."
Those were initial thoughts by a newbie, that were not acted upon.
Indeed, his original plan was to cut corners. But, asking for some opinions appears to have turned things around.
Is it still a mistake?
"Those that think they know everything are annoying those of us that have Google." - Dr. D. Edward Wilkinson
Note to self: Never ask an old Fogey how he is doing today. Revised note to self: Keep it short when someone asks how I am doing.