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I am a huge fan of the walk through. If I get stuck doing something then I don't have the patience to try and work it out myself so I like to refer to some kind of guide.
They do tend to detract from the game though sometimes, exploring worlds can be really fun but when following a walk through they never mention "go for a wander around." Sometimes when I am so determined to finish a certain part of a game that I use a guide I go back later on and notice heaps of things that would have been useful beforehand.
I do like them though when they show hidden aspects of the games like side tracks that really have nothing to do with the main storyline.

What are your thoughts?

Agreed. I don't like to use walkthroughs unless I just can't figure
something out. Then I look up that one spot I need help in. I try
not to look at the rest of the level or anything.
In games like the Zelda series, Darksiders, Harvest Moon...
Games that have a lot of extra to them. It's nice to check them and
see where all those little hidden items are.
I generally do this after beating a game.

So for me, they are for when you are so stuck you can't figure it out
or continue and for after you beat a game and want to know all of what
you missed.
Sorta like my rule for cheats. Don't use cheats unless you've beaten a game.
gonk

That's why you wait until after you have beaten the game.
To play through it with a bit of variety. For some, it could just be
a change in the costume, different catchphrases, new character, etc.
There are a few games out there now that give you an achievement or
the like, just for going through the game with the cheat.

It's kinda like the skulls in Halo. Only, instead of entering a code, you
use a guide (or find them on your own e.e) to find them and they
change random things about the game. Shake things up =3

Arggg, that damn tree. I can not think of a legit cheat code released in a game for many years though, but I like using cheats/hacks after I beat the game, adds more replay IMO.

To tell you the truth, I rarely even remember to use them. I end up getting stuck on something for a few days and finally figure it out.
For instance, In Zelda The Phantom Hourglass: there is a point where they ask you to take two maps and place them together. It took me days to figure it out. Finally I had the two maps on the separate screens and shut my DS in frustration. Later I opened in and realized That i had earlier solve the puzzle by closing it...

I liked it too. It just took me a while to think outside of the box. Which is one one the reason Nintendo has my vote. It's always adapting and changing.