templating - is this a good idea?

Well i am wondering should i use a template system or should i use .php extension templates which contain mostly html and the occasional if/else statement?

Advantages - I can code easier + put in more advanced things, less template files ( i beleive smf does it this sorta way )

Disadvantages - People who don't know php may get a bit stuck?

 

There's so much advantages on using templates, I just don't know where to start

I definitely suggest reading this:
http://smarty.php.net/whyuse.php

 

wordpress has a template system where we are supposed to know a bit of php. but for the very novice user, and if u r selling ur script for cash, then it will always be better to use a statndalone template system.

 

Maybe it's me but I found smarty confusing. I think I'm the only one though.

 

I found smarty to be too big...i have decided to go with a similair system to SMF.