v11 is amazing!

Cheers guys! I got v11 right off the disc duplicator (still lukewarm in the envelope) a couple of weeks ago, and I basically just wanted to tell everyone I'm really excited! (Not many posts about this yet) I've skipped upgrading since v8.2 due to the cost and simply because that version did what I needed pretty well anyway, so of course I've missed the boat on some stuff. I was really surprised at the improvements in render speed - the amount of it. My test picture with some reflections through transparent glass and area shadows, took less than 1/4 of the time to render full quality in v11 compared to v8.2 on the same computer. That's amazing! Fast render speeds has always been a selleing point, but now ...!

The interface and menus are pretty much the same, thankfully. But that also leaves me bewildered - where do I find the new stuff? I know there is a lot of it. The manual have some point about 'what's new from v10', but I need some hints on new since v9 and v8 too. I hope I can get some hints from you folks!? Basically what I am looking for is workflow improvements and new tools in polygon modelling that I should learn, and also better character modelling & rigging. I've dipped my toe into character animation with v8.2 but found it cumbersome. It seems to me now I should rather ditch most about bone animation, and use the new 'joint' concept instead. Am I right? I have actually used c4d since it was first available on the Amiga, but since 3d has never been my main focus (I am a multimedia 'potato') I haven't had the time to delve into long winded ventures learning CA the hard way. Also discouraged by stories from frustrated users... I've done a lot of 'mechanic' animations though and used particles etc. which didn't involve IK and bones, but it's time to go there now I feel (at last!). My question is: are older CA and modelling tutorials still viable, or should I wait for new ones using the new tools in v11.

I have XL + S&T