None of these earns the bonus for being free, but perhaps you could take a closer look:

* Microsoft Visio - I've never actually used it, but it used to be the de facto standard back in the old days when nobody ever got fired for buying anything Microsoft :)

* http://lovelycharts.com/ - this is an online diagramming app built on the Flash platform (I can't help mentioning that :), very cool stuff. However, I've never used it for anything but the simplest diagrams, I suggest that you try it yourself.

I used to use Flex for AIR development, but I think I'm about to switch to HTML/JavaScript now. Here are a few reasons:

- I can reuse more (code, designs, etc.). This, obviously, will vary for different people. If you are Flash/Flex developer already your situation will likely to be quite the opposite.

- HTML is easier than MXML. Obviously, this is somewhat subjective, too.

- jQuery. HTML/CSS/JS wins.

- Webkit (HTML) engine is less clunky than Flex. GUIs are, IMHO, snappier when built with Webkit, and this is very important to me. Also, Webkit support for effects and animations is surprisingly good (although Flash beats it easily in this area).

- Aptana IDE is free and is very good (never tried Dreamweaver, though)

So, here you have another opinion. However, it is worth stating that Adobe favors use of Flash/Flex for developing AIR applications (not sure why), so you'll have to jump through some hoops in order to get started. Aptana helps a lot.

Finally, I must say that it's a pity you have to choose. Ideally, you would combine the best of both worlds for your app. And although technically feasible (Flash libraries can be used in a HTML project, and HTML pages can be loaded into Flex application), it is very hard to do, because of the two totally different IDEs (Flex Builder and Aptana) which make debugging such "cross-over" application very hard. So, I guess you'll have to choose. Good luck!

I know many people here had the same problem. I just wanted to know what they did and what happened next.

(OK, I whined a little bit as well :)

Yeah, my situation is exactly like this. I guess I relied on my network too heavily. Now I'm just about to start applying for jobs way below (what I thought to be) my level. That's really confidence-shattering. I hope everything's going to be OK for both of us :)

No offense taken, my fail, I should have explicitly said "the darkest hour in my professional life".

I've rarely had any problems working on (competent) teams (on the contrary, it's nothing but a pleasure), it's almost always "the man" who is the problem :)

Do you have a job yourself? :)

lol, that may turn out to be very true :)