Rant, a little, based on past experience. I'm a Photoshop user but gave Lightroom a try (a few times). I used Adobe videos, bought CD'S and went to seminars by Tim Gray, I just could not deal with it. It was just not for me, the whole import, keywords, star ratings and the actual size and layout of the interface. But more than that, just how often do you see others post with issues, especially related to the library module.

Like I said also; "If you shoot for a living, do weddings, have clients, then for you, it is probably a must and well worth using."
I'll add to that, if you haven't had problems and your are already establish with it, I'm sure you are happy and it is a great program.

If you opt to have LR write changes to a sidecar (.xmp) file, then deleting catalogs will not affect the files in your picture folder. But you will lose any organizational constructs like collections, virtual copies, etc I think.

You can import first, then organize, or organize after importing. I do either pretty regularly. I just covered the Bethpage Credit Union Memorial Day Airshow at Jones Beach in NY, and I came back with 1300 images from two camera bodies. I used On1 to view, cull and rate, then move the images to their destination in my computer. Then I opened LR and told them where they were by going to the Library module and executing Import-Add. I could have clicked on the + at the top of the library folder and added it there as well. Or I could have right clicked on my 2016 folder, or my May folder and merely do a synchronize folder.

In addition to placing the image in it's dated folder using my own folder structure which is organized by year and month, I tagged all the incoming images as they were added to the catalog with the keywords "Jones Beach" Airshow, "Bethpage Credit Union" 2016, and I segregated them into groups based on what they were of - like Canadian Snowbird Demo Team, USAF-F35, Blue Angels, Breitling, Geico Skywriters, etc. Finally, I rename all the images by adding 2016 Jones Beach Airshow to the number assigned by the camera. The whole process, including creating proof-quality images for the keepers, was about 3 hours.

I do not move any files into any categories on my hard drive. LR can quickly create named collections that duplicate the moving of files, but without actually moving them.

Forget Rule #1 - a better rule is that if you decide to move imported images, don't forget to sync the source and destination folders when you open Lightroom.

LR is really good at ending the chaos, as long as you don't have chaos to begin with. You need to be a little bit organized, and LR will help enhance and fine-tune your organization.

People who are disorganized by nature, will only suffer frustration with LR - they simply won't get it.

It's almost a shame that software isn't made that is plug and play. If everyone understood there would be no "issues". There has sprung a whole new business from software and cameras that tells you what the makers should have.

As for LR I bought a book, CD and spent numerous hours on You Tube. I have been using PS for years and love it but was still having a problem with my catalog. I had thought about uninstalling LR but after reading a post here yesterday I deleted the catalog. I had enough knowledge and experience after about 3 weeks to start over. Second time around was a charm! Now everything is working as it should, as if someone turned on the light. I'll have to spend some time making notations and flagging photos, not all, but the ones that will make navigating easier.

Thanks to all that contributed to this post! The answers usually there and sometimes you have to shift through a lot of hay to find the needle .