Rob, I wasn't referring to you specifically with my comment.
DA can sometimes write some confusing posts which can be misinterpreted - as has been highlighted by the comments on here. All I hope is that anyone new to walking and reading this topic doesn't think their only option is to go out and "learn the hard way" alone. Why? If there are groups available to walk with then there is no shame in joining one, two, three or as many as you like if if gives you the confidence, skills, company and new ideas to get out there and enjoy the countryside, particularly if the alternative is "I want to get out in the countryside but I'm nervous or inexperienced to go it alone so I'll stay home and snort coke instead"
As for paper map in forests WhitstableDave, I may have "a possible" answer... to orientate your map and walk on a bearing of "generally in *that* direction" mainly because forest tracks change and are rarely the same as what's on a map. Of course, you can do exactly the same with a GPS too....
I do wonder if (generally) the advice about having a map and compass could be updated to something about knowing how to read a map and use a compass as these skills are transferable to a GPS. Are GPS skills (uploading a route and following a dot on a screen) transferable to a paper map?
Anyway, back on topic, yes, there are lots of benefits to walking with a group, just as there are benefits to walking alone and practicing things you have learned from others, be that on the internet, from a book or with real, live other people (imagine that!)