>Not to sound idiotic... but where do you get some of these frameworks...
>
>I have just about reached a point where I need to start learning of them...

A public domain version of VMP called Visual Maxframe used to be available. This was a subset of Visual Maxframe Professional. However, that version had not been updated since VMP 3.X so it was made unavailable when VMP 5 shipped.

Since it was free, some people here may have a copy they could send you or you could send an e-mail to Drew Speedie and see if has has a copy he could send you. Go to VMP site to get Drew's e-mail. You could also download the free documentation for the current framework if you have a mind to.