This contains the file with my evaluation of Milling Machines purely from looking at their descriptions on the internet...  It led me to the Sherline, so I am not unhappy with the results.  I have heard a lot of praises for some of the other milling machines as well, and they can have far more powerful motors.

This is a table comparison of software used for 3D.  This is the original file.  More updated information can be found in the Wiki on this site along with flow diagrams for how to use the software to accomplish tasks.  However, this file may be interesting since it also contains a listing of the expensive software that I was able to locate on the internet and some pricing as of 1st half of 2007.