Hi, I wanted to post a response I placed onto Poserpros. It think it might be helpful for everyone to read. As posted: First, I would prefer to keep topics for updates separate. I've heard many complaints that having a post on SR3 for example to where Mac and plug in updates might then be mentioned and considered buried within a topic some might not need to read up on. This was why the Macintosh release and plug in specifics where not mentioned within this post. On the Mac, an announcement for end of June was relayed before. I'd have preferred to say early summer but was on travel when this PR was posted. I'd say end of June is strong, but it is possible that it may be in July. This kind of update communication holds a fine line between a fact and an expected fact. The only way to state a fact with 100% certainty is when it is real. As we know, in software this would mean an announcement of a GM. The communities have voiced they prefer updates ahead of time which I am happy to try and offer - - but again, I should only do so when it is in all appearances as close to certainty as it can get. But there are always variables that become present without forewarning or even known educated cause at times in the development of anything. I guess thats the whole basis of development. Id imagine graphic designers have a similar hurdle. They have deadlines on project. And every project has the potential to have an unknown variable come up that could hinder a timeline. Its not uncommon that a graphic designer may have to choose between a modified or less than desired final result verses extending the deadline in order to produce the project without problems. The point Im trying to make is that there has to be a choice on the type of announcement people would prefer. Some say to wait until its finished to talk about it, but the majority request some periodic updates and status. We are trying to support the majority request, but have to ask that you understand logically that an update or expectation always has room for a variable. On the Macintosh side, Ive been with CL since October of last year, but spent 6 years with Fractal Design/Meta starting in 91. Yes, the PC world seems to be growing, but the importance of the Macintosh especially for a product such as Poser is still as significant as ever. I cant speak on behalf of CL before my hire, but I can tell you that from my start until today, the development of Poser 5 for Macintosh has been a top development priority. It has just been a development project that had a large number of obstacles in conjunction with OS-X. That has been the #1 reason it is so late to market. From the updates Ive seen internally it is now strong and expected close to the June date. Again for sake of communication, there have been variables not expected throughout the development process and one could also appear between now and June. I will keep you updated. For the plug ins, many of these products are being developed in a joint partnership with the 3rd party software company so though Im anxious to give you all more information on the actual product and status, it is not my place to give you these details until it is approved from these 3rd party partners. We have to respect their preference to wait on communication even if it means waiting until the GM announcement. But if there are details that I can provide to you in the next coming weeks, I certainly will. With kind regards, Katherine

Not a MAc user myself but this is the customer interaction I like to see from a company, any company. Thanks, Tony

Thank you Katherine. Emily

Mimic was delayed another two months till it's final release but that was from an insolvent company. Might be better to wait untill the new Macs in are announced June (?) which we presume will have this new chip, which from all reports will blow away all the AMDs and P4s and certainly the G4.

Thanks Katherine , good to know the Mac is still a consideration at CL and I think you're doing a great job of communicating with the whole Poser community. But there's still a question, what about crossplatform users? I'd pre-order Poser 5 Mac if it had Poser 5PC SR3, on the other hand if I'm going to have to buy both I'll most likely stay with Poser4. I would also consider a bundle offer. Best; Dan

I, for one, would appreciate keeping each topic separate. That way, discussion on any subset doesn't get bogged down or lost if another area captures the attention of readers. Whether or not the walk path works on stairs in the PC version has nothing to do with Mac development. Whether or not the Mac version gets released at the end of June or two weeks later has nothing to do with how the plug-in for Lightwave is going. with 150,ooo members, any of whom are apt to be partisan, opinionated, and fast with their typing fingers, it is getting to be essential to narrow the topics in a thread. [Notice that I used the plural... as a sysop elsewhere I am fully cognizant of and responsible for thread drift. Bigger boats leave more confusing wakes.] Almost forgot to add... thank you for the updates. Most of us appreciate news of development even if you can't give a promised date. Carolly

Thanks Katherine for the Mac update! :)