For non drummers I think a lot of these programs are overkill. Someone in the forum was talking how they liked S.I. Drums. You can really tweak the daylights out of these drum modules. I've got so many of them and sometimes I end up using a loop library.  I also have zillions of one shots.  Drummers deal with them differently.
 
  Not too long ago you really couldn't find samples for Death Metal. I'd search the web and found sites for drummers who would record one shots and you could download them.
 
  
  
 
 
  

SteveStrummerUK
 
Bill, maybe shoot Herb (Guitarhacker) a PM and pick his brains - he knows all there is to know about Jamstix.

Done

Jamstix is a great song writing tool for all the reasons mentioned above.
 
I used the song wizard all the time to create songs start to finish with just a few clicks. 
 
As mentioned it is not super polished, but once you figure it out you will never hand edit a midi drum track again.
 
JR