As for the URC remotes, it is possible to leave the whole system on - they don't have "activities" built in to their software typically. The MX-810 does sort of and the macro capability offered by all of them will allow you to create something like activities, but you aren't steered that way automatically.

Even though I'm a fan of URC's designs, I think that Harmony has a good approach in their more "accessible" programming. I don't know how URC's sales break down between folks like us and custom installers, but I know they design with the installers in mind. The result is a very nice product that is very powerful, but it isn't necessarily as polished as Harmony and (based on what I've heard about Harmony) URC can't match Harmony's customer support - different target market.