No problem, the intro materials are definitely confusing! And obscure a lot of what IS good and helpful about SmartThings.
They really need a clearer distinction between a developer path and a plug and play path. (I can code, but don’t want to.) But I do think they know that one and are working on it.
BTW, in terms of the UI for noncoders, there is a very nice dashboard created by a community member but now officially sanctioned called SmartTiles. (Prior name was actiON, you’ll find frequent mentions in the forums.)
Check it out, it’s very nice as a customizable status display. Still not a rules engine, of course.
Let’s see, what else…Oh, shortcut groups and hello home actions. Very useful, not well documented.
You’ll find the developer community, as well as the SmartThings staff who post in these forums, very helpful.
I won’t tell you to hang in there, because “all home automation is local,” and it may be that for what you need ST 1 is not the best fit.
For me personally, I don’t expect a really robust plug and play home automation system under $1500 to be available on the market until Summer 2016 (pure guess), and then I’m expecting 4 or 5 major players. Apple/Insteon will be one. I do expect Samsung/SmartThings to be another, but by then it may be V3. Who knows?
I’m happy with the value I’m getting from the V1 system now for the money I put into it, but I’m putting off major projects until I make a real platform decision next year.
For now ST is solving several important convenience use cases for me, including voice control over most features, so I’m good for a year as is. (I’m quadriparetic, use a wheelchair with very limited hand function, so convenience is good. 
)
But everyone’s priorities are different. One thing I think everyone does agree on is that the forum community here is great, very supportive, knowledgeable, and helpful. Much appreciated.