The Sitecore start menu in action. Note that the Content editor is just one of many applications!
By the way, this is a Standard Sitecore application
Content editor application in action. It's possible to work with several content items at the same time. Simply open another "window"!
Here the contributor is working with both the content editor application as well as working as Security administrator.
Everything is roles, and as Sitecore is built using Sitecore, simply modify the application itself to change core security settings
Sitecore also comes with a developer tool you can use in coorporation with your .NET developer tool (usually Visual Studio .NET 2005).
It's basically a web based aspx/ascx/xaml/xsl editor that visually (just like VS), allows you to modify your designs.
Still... It's running in a browser. No hocus pocus!