Using an Arduino Uno, you can program your Atmega328 with a bootloader or directly with any other hex file (you do not really need a bootloader for most applications) by following the steps of this tutorial: http://pdp11.byethost12.com/AVR/ArduinoAsProgrammer.htm

Using an Arduino Uno, you can program your 8 or 16 MHz AVR with a bootloader or directly with any other hex file (you do not really need a bootloader for most applications) by following the steps of this tutorial: http://pdp11.byethost12.com/AVR/ArduinoAsProgrammer.htm

You can reupload a sketch into an ATMega328 (soldered onto a prototype board) using Arduino Uno as ISP programmer.
Just follow this tutorial: http://pdp11.byethost12.com/AVR/ArduinoAsProgrammer.htm

Arduino Uno can be used as an ordinary ISP programmer for writing many AVRs including an Atmega644p:
Try to follow this tutorial: http://pdp11.byethost12.com/AVR/ArduinoAsProgrammer.htm

[Dean Camera's (avrfreaks forum moderator) names used on arduino forum]

Dean Camera's (avrfreaks forum moderator) names used on arduino forum:

pico, retrolefty

Also "pico" in Dean Camera on arduino forum!

[Dean Camera writes on avrfreaks forum using the following important names]

Dean Camera writes on avrfreaks forum using the following important names:
abcminiuser, Kartman, clawson, js, JohanEkdahl, kk6gm, alexan_e, theusch

May I suggest the AVR section of the AVRfreaks website?
http://www.avrfreaks.net/index.php?name=PNphpBB2&file=viewforum&f=3&sid=7df154c3426fc0f09a8432878e8cef94

That forum is moderated by a guy, Dean Camera, who works for Atmel in Trondheim, Norway. (still hope it is not you).
Take a look here for more information: http://www.fourwalledcubicle.com/AboutMe.php
Most of the messages on avrfreaks are written by him under various names (a list can be provided at request). If I go there I will just argue with him hiding behind 10 names. It is useless.

Ahhhh... this brings back memories...
Microsoft C vs. Borland C.
PBasic vs. QuickBasic
Visicalc vs Lotus 123
 

If you have such memories it means you are no longer young. You are 40+ at least, but likely more.
It is highly unlikely you a interested in playing with "arduino" which is a toy for kids.

I picked Arduino because of the easier learning curve, and the fact that it's available on OSX.
Not to mention a good number of libraries available for it.
And any C/C++ code out there, can be easily adapted for it.
Object oriented programming is also a big plus.

Also this text you wrote sounds as standard advertising, pure publicity. It is self evident you are interested in selling not working with "arduino".

The search volume for "arduino" keyword alone is puzzling.
It is much more looked for than "atmega" and sensible more searched than "multimeter" or "transistor".

arduino - 94
atmega - 2
attiny - 1
multimeter - 27
transistor - 33

see: http://www.google.com/trends/explore#q=arduino%2C%20atmega%2C%20attiny%2C%20multimeter%2C%20transistor&geo=US&cmpt=q

It is self evident that the ones that look for "arduino" are not interested at all in atmel AVR microcontrollers.
Strange!

Let's see your Bascom AVR code to control a UAV.   Let's see your Bascom AVR code to control all the timers and relays for a hydroponic system or a salt water aquarium.  Let's see your Bascom AVR code to control a 8*8*8 LED cube.

You can do a lot of things in Bascom.
Take a look at this list of projects: http://www.mcselec.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=category&sectionid=7&id=79&Itemid=57&limit=50&limitstart=0
see: "173 - Tricopter" - UAV

Bascom AVR is popular in places like Iran

Those Google trends go to nowhere.
From this trend:
http://www.google.com/trends/explore#q=CodeVision%2C%20Arduino%20IDE%2C%20Bascom%20AVR%2C%20AVR%20Studio%2C%20IAR%20AVR&geo=US&cmpt=q
I can quickly draw the conclusion that Arduino IDE is of interest only in California and New York. The interest is zero in the rest of US.
The interest in AVR Studio is high in at least ten US states including California and New York.

The interest in Arduino IDE is high in Japan, Italy, Germany, California and New York and zero in rest.
see: http://www.google.com/trends/explore#q=CodeVision%2C%20Arduino%20IDE%2C%20Bascom%20AVR%2C%20AVR%20Studio%2C%20IAR%20AVR&cmpt=q

Maybe there are distributors there,  stores from where you can buy directly Arduino boards and having a board you are obliged to use Arduino IDE.

Arduino Uno R3 loaded with Arduino ISP behaves like an ordinary ISP programmer.
Read this tutorial: http://pdp11.byethost12.com/AVR/ArduinoAsProgrammer.htm

So, yes, with the help of an Arduino Uno you can program most stand alone AVRs with any code you want and without needing a bootloader.

Can I just use the Uno as an ISP to burn the sketches directly to the blank chip?  Do I need the bootloader for this?

Yes you can. You do not need any bootloader. You also do not need to swap chips.
Read this tutorial: http://pdp11.byethost12.com/AVR/ArduinoAsProgrammer.htm

Arduino Uno R3 loaded with Arduino ISP behaves like an ordinary ISP programmer.

I think looking at google trends is a good indication about somethings popularity or relevance.
Here is BASCOM vs Arduino:
http://www.google.com/trends/explore#q=bascom%2C%20Arduino&cmpt=q
World wide Google searches for BASCOM (not just BASCOM AVR) is waining while searches for Arduino is still climbing quite rapidly.

You compare Bascom, a software tool, an IDE, with Arduino which is an IDE and also a series of boards.

A more fair comparison would be:
Bascom AVR
Arduino IDE
see: http://www.google.com/trends/explore#q=Bascom%20AVR%2C%20Arduino%20IDE&cmpt=q

The interest in "Arduino IDE" has increased in the last four years and now in December 2012 it is roughly the same as in "Bascom AVR". We have to wait and see what happens in the future.