It took me several years to become an functional novice. I started with Max 2.0. I can't afford Max 4.0, so I'm sticking with 3.1 Discreete should rethink the 15 day trial. I know a little about Max, for instance, I know that's just long enough to remind you that you will need to invest time and money in MORE training. On the other hand, Max is a teriffic piece of software, so if Discreete can get more new people into the fold... That's so much the better for us all!