If somebody posts garbage here, they usually get corrected in no time (and if you're sensible you'll thank them for correcting you, not start arguing!)
You can't say the same for some random page on the Internet, or even the official tutorial pages on this site (there's some major errors in some of the tutorials and apparently no way to get anybody to correct it).
fungus:
even the official tutorial pages on this site (there's some major errors in some of the tutorials and apparently no way to get anybody to correct it).
and that's a good way to run an official site/forum? surely there must be a way to correct the tutorials..
There are a lot of tutorials in the Playground. Some were written for older versions of the IDE, and prior to some function call changes. Plus, some were written before newer hardware was released and may not mention something like "does not work on Leonardo" or something like that.
Some authors may have moved on, and you can appreciate it would be a lot of work for someone to make sure every tutorial is absolutely correct, for all available hardware, operating systems, versions of the IDE and so on. It's a moving target, after all.
To be honest, I don't understand where all this anger is coming from. In your first post in this thread you said:
so can someone please explain (and show if possible) the right way of doing it as far as pnp's and capacitors go.
What PNPs? Do you mean transistors? There aren't any in the circuit. On the bildr page you linked (http://bildr.org/2011/02/74hc595/) there is no reference to PNP at all.
So, your question doesn't make a lot of sense. And, if I may ask, why not ask at the bildr page? Surely it's not our fault you are having trouble with a circuit on another web site?
Your posts are coming across as very negative. You ask again: "i just want to know where the freaking pnp's and capacitors go! that's all i'm asking for!!! damn..".
Well, swearing aside, again, what PNPs?
Then: "glad i won't let my son join this forum... i can imagine how he would be treated".
Sorry you feel like that. Perhaps find a friendlier forum ... if you can.
In any case, you might want to "let" your son join and form his own opinions.
These were both posted already and clearly show where the PNP and capacitors go.
You can re-draw them in fritzing if you want.
Ruffsta:
that's not very helpful.. i have 74HC595's from different sources.. i don't know who the actual manufactures are nor am i going to track them down... (like i don't have other things to do)... and honestly, i don't know your skill level, but i'm not going to take advice from someone new who has less posts than i do.. no punt intended.
Fortunately, 74HC devices are supposed to meet certain specifications no matter who the manufacturer is. Therefore, just about anyone's data sheet will do. That may not be true for other devices so if someone tells you to get a data sheet, then it's probably good advice. Nevertheless, it is your responsibility to either look up the data sheet or reveal the manufacturer's name when designing with a part or asking for help with that design... whether or not you're too busy doing other things.
You can take that advice or leave it as I probably don't have enough posts to be relevant. This is the Internet and anyone can have any qualifications they can type but if we're counting, I have been designing and building electronic circuits since I was ten (57 years), and have had a degree in electrical engineering (electronics not power) for 46 years. When I have 15,000 posts I will have skill as well I guess. 
or carpal tunnel syndrome 8)
CrossRoads:
or carpal tunnel syndrome 8)
Yeah, that's a definite danger!
Fortunately, 74HC devices are supposed to meet certain specifications
Hence my suggestion to read the DS. I once became very unstuck when a bucket load of chips turned up with NC where there was supposed to be an inverted output! Once bitten....
FYI Ruffsta, many chips are supplied without (or unreadable) part numbers, but they will usually have the manufacturers name/logo (logos are another learning curve) (hint, dampen with a whetted finger tip and angle to light)
I would suggest (to anyone who hasn't yet) getting hold of some data sheets of components you are familiar with (LEDs, Transistors, even Resistors) because it does take a while before you "get your eye in". They are filled with information that is of little interest to the average punter unless you want to push the envelope. You will find details of the package, soldering criteria, operating and storage minima & maxima, more graphs than you can shake a stick at, exemplar circuits, test circuits. But you will also find pin-outs, application notes, sometimes circuit layout advice (more so for high frequency, crystals/resonators etc.), de-coupling advice, table of operating voltages, source/sink current, operating and quiescent current etc. PRINT THEM OUT, write all over them, they are your best friend, a well fondled data sheet should have coffee rings and dog ears. If you go though my filing cabinets and pull job folders, you will find data sheets by the score! You have to learn to sort the wheat from the chaff.
Some slightly off topic advice that will pay dividends...
Breadboards : Treat them with love and care, a damaged board will cause you grief and have you chasing your tail.
Soldering Irons : Forget them! Get a soldering station! I just picked one up from ebay for a few quid for my son. Ensure that it is temperature controlled (not just variable voltage) 40-60W with a selection of tips, but I personally hardly ever use anything other than a fine pencil tip.
You could of course make one using an Arduino, but seriously, for the money....
Again, treat with love! A tinned tip is a happy tip. Keep your sponge damp, use good quality solder and use the lowest temperature that allows you to solder confidently. Cleanliness is next to shinieness!
Sarcastic Hint: If you were supposed to carry the solder to the joint on the tip of the iron, they would be equipped with little ladles! If your iron has a little ladle, it's past time to change the tip 
One last tip: Break your project down and joy it! If daisy chaining 20 chips, first prove that you can drive one, that it does everything you want, then two, again, test it! Then twenty, you will find success will be matter of fact, not a rarity and the same goes for your code, break it down in to simple, testable blocks. And don't just copy, understand! edit, fiddle, play.
Oh, and have fun!
