Ok slap my wrist, but I just have no fear of site definition files and files in the /layouts directory in SharePoint. I am happy to edit the ASPX, XML and CSS files. I document what I do, back it up, and go on my merry way. It is about the only way I have found sanity with SharePoint UI customization.
Now I know Microsoft frowns on doing it and won't support changes and their patches will override your code and whatnot, but how often are we really looking at that happening? Certainly not on a weekly or monthly basis. I read these complicated methods and workarounds that can be accomplished with some tweaks to the system files and be done a whole lot faster. I definitely appreciate the knowledge and will very likely have to refer to things in the future... but for now while I drown in SharePoint support while people at my company discover the wonders of a SharePoint site... I prefer to get down to business and get stuff done quickly.
Shame on me, but I have no fear of the /60 directory!