Really basic question on Flash

Sorry for such a noob question, but I obviously know next to nothing about this.

If I just want to use a Flash program like Simpleviewer on a site, do I have to spend $700 or so bucks on the full Flash program or is there a less expensive option?

Thanks.

Well you're in luck, Simpleviewer is a free program. All you need is Picasa, Porta or Iphoto, just download the plugin for one of those programs, and it's straight forward from there.

Thank you for your response. I have Dreamweaver to author the site.
You are saying that Simpleviewer generates its own Flash code and that I do not need the Flash program at all?

Or you can edit the XML files manually. It can take a while if you have tons of images but it works.

Thanks AKRover, This is great. I thought I'd have to spring for the whole program.