I agree that if somebody doesn't know the really low-level mechanics of nodes, then they can't even begin to follow. Basics like you say - that whatever is plugged into a node parameter is multiplied with the value entered in the node parameter. That color math is the same as regular math, but done on each component. That plugging a color into a number parameter averages the three components (or conceptually converts it to gray scale). That plugging a number into a color parameter duplicates the number in all three components.

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Renderosity forum reply notifications are wonky. If I read a follow-up in a thread, but I don't myself reply, then notifications no longer happen AT ALL on that thread. So if I seem to be ignoring a question, that's why. (Updated September 23, 2019)