Pardon my french, but you sir are an IDIOT!
Books are one of the most important tools in all of history. . . the day we no longer have power and tech it will be a book that saves humankind and as science has proved and history reveals, we will know times of such darkness again!.
When it comes to magic books give you far more information for the dollar ventured than ANYTHING ELSE outside hands-on tutoring with an accomplished veteran . . . and of the half-dozen or so such people I've been allowed to work with, every single one of them have told me to READ and to do so often.
When it comes to the Shin's material. . . I've never had reason to complain about any of it. He's a smart and resourceful kid.
Smoke Effects . . . I don't like the limitations of some but when used together they can most awesome. Catch is, I only use them when working with my Seance programs and even then, only on a very limited basis. As was said, most people over-use them and not only will that get you found out, it makes the appearance of the smoke more passe' and no long enchanting. It's like using fog on stage and the kind of fog that's used; a little bit goes a very long way.
