$12,000 for Maya WAS the reduced, bare-bones price, and quite a drop from earlier years. They had had a couple of special promotions, too. A few years back, I was looking at $30-40,000 for a Maya workstation, and wondering how I'd justify that to my accountant. (I'd have to triple my rates to cover the increased overhead, which would have put me out of range for some of my favorite clients, among other problems.) I'm glad that I've gone this route instead. Poser artists are friendlier and more likeable and willing to help each other learn and more appreciative of that aid. The last time I helped a Maya artist, she snapped and insulted me besides. :: The last time I helped a Poser artist, her husband fed me dinner. :) Maya learners spend thousands more on fancy multi-month courses. We ask questions here in the various Forums. I suspect that that adds to the sense of community: we have all been learners at some point, and then we pass what we have learned on to the newcomers. Carolly