I agree there is a learning curve with MM (Macromedia) products but you can achieve a great deal if you put a little time in.
It takes you away from the small 5 page home site to some great developments.
I think that Dreamweaver/ultradev/coldfusion have an OK learning curve - meaning a weekend will get you past the basics and developing - Flash on the other hand will take about 4 days to a week before you can start developing anything decent.
Years ago I also spent (almost typed wasted!) a lot of time with the easier to use programs and wish that I had jumped into professional programs from the start - I could have been developing better sites quicker for sure. The only useful thing I gained was the basic footing/knowledge + I understood why not too use those programs and why to use professional programs - same as why not to use FrontPage etc.
Anyway, if anyone wants to learn any of the above mentioned programs I am willing to spend the time answering any questions you have that will help you to learn/progress.
Well it's late here and I have not slept for a long time.
Take it easy,
Rog.
Ps. If I made any grammatical mistakes it is because I just finished a business dinner and they made me drink whiskey, well they did not pin me to the floor and force feed it to me - ahh, you get the idea!