[at-fates-hands]

I actually found out about Expression way after the fact and thought it was a viable alternative - but by then, MS was already in the process of sending it out to pasture.

It's like a co-worker said, "Adobe's software is bloated and cumbersome, but they have a top notch marketing team that keeps it afloat." But yes, if there is a company that is ripe to have some serious competitors it would be Adobe.