"I understand that the folks at DAZ have bills to pay but the size of the current DAZ V3 figure is virtually unusable if more than 2 figures are included in the scene."

There are the low rez V3/M3 figures. V3RR/M3RR. You can strip out the unused morph channels. You can do things like export the figure groups that you only need and that will cut the poly count a good sum. Though it sound like P7 has that in mind with the new invisable dial and render options.

"As I look back on my favorite characters for past and present DAZ figures I've noticed that the best selling and popular ones tend to be created long after the DAZ figure is introduced.  How long after V3 was released did GND come out?"

That's pretty much nnormal. It takes some time to create those morphs, not to mention coming up with that idea. But then you wouldn't have GND if it wasn't for V3's mesh. 

"Wouldn't this community be better served if DAZ chose to release (make that sell) patches to their existing figures that would make them easier to use (render)?  Yes with each new figure there have been significant improvements but these improvements have made them less usable with each release.  Who can argue that the gap between Poser content put out by DAZ and others and the ability to use that content has only been getting bigger. "

Again look at my first comment, they have made figures easier to use. V3RR.  I sure don't see the newer versions less usable, as you put it. I see it the other way, more and better options. Look on the bright side, Daz does fix thier figures when needed for the most part, unlike a certain other company. The only gap I see is the Poser /DS one. But most of the content still works in Poser. Just a few adjustments due to the P4 mentality.

"I made a post that if Poser 7 doesn't get it right then it will be the "final edition" of Poser and that comes from my frustration with the program getting more difficult to use and not easier.  You can't say that about many other hobby software products can you?"

Is it not just normal for an app to advance and wouldn't that logically mean that the learning curve would be steeper. The way of the beast. If you find P6 difficult, your going to really hate P7. Guess what, P7 has advanced and will be more to learn. As for your last sentence. That is why those other hobby software don't do as well as poser.

I've had Victoria from the start. 3 versions of her and I'm going to enjoy V4 when she is released. All the stuff you have for her will still work with the V4/V3 cross breed. Merchant ike PhilC will be creating updates for thier stuff like they alway do, if they can. Your not going to stop progress and I for one don't want to see it stop.