I do agree Elaine, a post like you suggest, 'a thorough, clear explanation of how steemit works', would be valuable.
However, I also think that there is value in finding out how Steemit works yourself by using it.
Sometimes a 'potted guide' can inhibit usage as well as helping it.
True, you learn more by doing than reading... But its the current guides being incorrect I think is wrong. I'm thinking more of things like the question of interest on SBD, which is 0%, not 10% as is being said in current reviews and posts. And powering down, which takes a few weeks, not 2 years.
But maybe its me - I dont mind having to search for information, but having found it , I do mind not knowing if it is true or false!