Tip: Use the bread-maker (or a heavy-duty mixer with dough hook) to save time on the initial mixing and kneading, but do the remaining steps by hand -- it's much more satisfying, and once you practice a bit, you'll get better bread. You'll spend a little more time, but it's worth it.
Do you really need a bread maker for the initial kneading? It's the same as why a bike is faster than a car. You can either cycle 20 minutes, or drive 10 minutes and spend 20 minutes exercising. Doing it by hand takes maybe 5 minutes longer, but you save 10 minutes exercising.
The very best homemade bread I make is the no knead bread -- it's as easy to make and clean up after as using a bread machine (you just need a bit of time).
