Do any of these programs like "Article Submitter" that are supposed to submit your article automatically to 100s of article directories actually work?
Not sure but I have tried some others where you just enter your name, site description and keywords etc, and then click the links hit the button it automatically types your info and and you click submit and it is done, but I am not sure about article submitter never tried it, but it would probably be worth a shot.
I wouldn't recommend automatic submitters. You better use auto-form filler, like the InFormEnter extension for Firefox (Google for it). It basically saves you time from copy pasting, you just gather a list of article directories and this way you may be sure that the article actually got submitted, because you can see the returned result.
Here is a best Article submitter, Called Article Post Robot, that actually works ,if you need it send me a Pm!
I too prefer to submit articles manually ... as its better to submit in some but do it perfectly .... like proper resource box and our site links are displayed properly or not.