True as that may be, sometimes it is hard to get a technician in the first couple of months, at least a live one.
Although I got one last time on the first terror mission because of tasers.
Hyperwave decoders are pretty handy indeed, but sometimes even then it is quite hard to get all of the info you need out of them, especially where they are going (I think, I might be wrong)
And for all of you, beginners or not, try XcomUtil, you can make it easier or harder for your self
k:
Tip for the day = take tasers to every mission, however pointless it may seem. If you want to get psi powers, taser a Crysallid (if possible) and you will get them in no time.