Learning cycles material nodes I'm not a beginner to 3d. However, the node editor seems confusing when creating materials. I like the way I can make materials in c4d. 

My question is simple. What is the difference let's say between the way materials are created in blender vs other non-node based methods?

Also, am I overthinking that the node system is that hard to learn?  Can someone post a video or article which explains how to for example create a plastic or glass or chrome etc., which shows the workflow?

By the way, I think Blender is a great piece of software. The only thing stopping me from switching to it completely is just that, nodes.
You can in theory create any material in the properties editor just as well as the node editor, but in practice the node editor is a lot easier and faster to work with once you get used to it.
Material nodes mostly work by mixing together different aspects of the way a surface interacts with light (shader nodes) and by mixing together different textures, whether they are 3D procedural textures or 2D image textures.
For instance you might mix some diffuse and glossy together based on fresnel node to make a simple ceramic shader:

Or you might use a procedural voronoi texture to add some displacement and make
a kind of hammered copper shader:

The possibilities are pretty much endless.
I'd recommend you look around for some tutorials to get used to working with nodes. There are plenty on youtube and similar sites. Here are some others to get you started:

Blender guru

Blender diplom

Blender cookie


And the manual is a good a reference for information on specific nodes.
And of course you can always ask around here if you have more questions ;)