1. Can't answer this one.

2. Quidam from N-Sided seems to be a contender. No word on availability or price yet, though. A demo version is available from the website.

There is also Project MakeHuman, which is open source and part of the Blender universe. It's a ways behind Poser (I think this is what SamTherapy was referring to.) It's priced comparably to DAZ Studio ;-)

3. Think globally, act locally. Your buddy should keep his pesos close to home. Donate to a local soup kitchen or a local children's program near where he lives. If he likes art, there are always arts organizations that could use a hand or a handout. Every community has a bunch of little, unsung groups that do a lot of useful things. And your buddy can be sure his coin is not going to some giantic ad campaign or into the pocket of some fatcat lobbyist.

• Jimdoria  ~@>@