So the question is- has another total newbie signed up and found GT to be as helpful as they say they are?

yes

And once you get past the initial frustrations does it get easier?

yes

2.5 years ago my GF gave me a cheap acoustic for my birthday. A week later I bought an electric starter pack and tried to play" master of puppets" lol. so I joined GT and started with learning how to hold my pick (cause I wasn't quite sure how) Since then I've bought 2 more guitars 2 amps,looking to buy another one and I still can't play that dam song. But I learned to play lots of other stuff and really enjoy it.