iirc, there won't be a "final" 2.5, but a 2.6.  not an important distinction (who cares what they call it as long as it works), but it might make finding out about it easier. 

i started the Noob to Pro Wiki book, and it was really helpful.  that said, i think you've actually learned most of what i had to get from it already.  so this is my main suggestions for using 2.49 (or any version):

go over any interface tutorials you can find.  2.4x has the Noob to Pro book, and there are other tutorials out there.  the big thing to do is set your interface up so it's comfortable.  once i did that and got my head around modeling at all, it was like learning any other application. i actually had less of a problem with it than Hexagon.  2.49 and down are all made to come up as a blank slate you can customize.  which is great if you're switching from another 3d studio app, and kind of sucks if you're starting.  i'm not sure about the ones for 2.5, but i'm pretty sure i've seen people talk about them. 

most of the keys aren't necessary.  actually pretty much none of them are.  all the functionality is right there in the menus if you need them.  but for quick stuff, the keys are useful.  these are the only ones i use without either looking them up or just going to the menu instead:

• rmb - select
• space - object /edit menu (easy way to add stuff)
• tab - toggle edit/object mode
• g - "grab" and move.
• r - rotate
• x - delete
• alt m - merge vertices
• f - make a face or edge
• b - box or brush select (press b again to toggle)
• a - toggle select all
• alt rmb - select edge loop
• s  - scale
• x/y/z - constrain transform to that direction NOTE: used after transformation key
• shift x/y/z - exclude transform in that direction NOTE: used after transformation key
• alt s - shrink/fatten

Regular view control: - shift  alt lmb - pan around view

• alt  lmb - rotate around view
• mouse wheel - zoom view
• shift mouse wheel - pan view up/down
• shift alt mouse wheel - rotate view up /down
• ctrl mouse wheel - pan view right/left
• ctrl alt mouse wheel - rotate view left/righ

Num Pad View controls:

• 1 - front view, ctrl 1 - back view
• 3 - right view, ctrl 3 - left view
• 7 - top view, ctrl 7 - bottom view
• . - view selection
• 0 - selected camera view
• 8, 4, 6,  2 - turn view in the directions of the arrows on the keys

wow, it seems like a lot written out, but i really didn't try to learn them. 

you might try having  the View Properties (under the View menu) and Transform Properties (under the Mesh or Object menu) floating panels open.  they let you type in locations for your 3d cursor, locations for you selection, rotation and scale for your selection, etc.  i find them very helpful.

i also  find a scene Hierarchy window and a UV mapping window are useful as interface constants.  but that's really a personal thing.  

if you miss automatic creation of any particular shape, look for scripts for them.  they probably exist. 

(oops, sorry, major x-post).,