Frank,

InfoPath is a great product for form processing and it has been made a lot better with SP1. The automation model is a bit lacking - we use it a lot in conjunction with web services from SharePoint. The following simple example will open an InfoPath form for editing (fill out form) using the automation model.

goTest = CreateObject("InfoPath.Application")
? goTest.XDocuments.NewFromSolution(getfile("*.xsn"))

The next version (12) will have an InfoPath server and will allow you to embed forms into web pages and .NET WinForms.

http://channel9.msdn.com/Showpost.aspx?postid=127821

In my opinion a tool like InfoPath has been long overdue in the Office suite.

Regards
Neil