Chip,

The way I read E-Ons' newsletter is that it will cost me $595 to upgrade to xStream 7.5 and then another $595 to upgrade to xStream 8.0.  If I do not upgrade to 7.5, it will cost me $1190 to upgrade to xStream 8.0 when it comes out.  Sorry, but that is the way I understand E-Ons' language in upgrading from 7.0 to 8.0.

I upgraded my copy of Infinite 6 to xStream 7 because I wanted to try a few things with 3D Studio Max (which I still have to buy).  Now, my employer re-imburses me for AutoCAD and CAiCE maintenance fees, but any additional apps I buy and play with, I pay for myself until I can prove to my employer that I can bring benefit to our company with those apps.

Hence, I am willing to upgrade, but I do not want nor need the maintenance option until I can make xStream pay for itself.  People like me, who need to learn and play to get to know the product are being priced out of the ballpark.  I do believe in keeping oneself current and on top of knowledge, but to have to spend $1500/year (upgrade & maintenance) just to learn on the latest is a bit too much for me.

Yes - I would LOVE to get the Academic version - does Paula Sanders' course apply?

I hope that I am wrong about the xStream upgrade to 8.0 because I cannot afford the upgrade to 7.5 nor the maintenance fees at this time.  (I just may be able to afford 3D Studio Max with my Income Tax refund.)  Also, as maintenance is yearly and xStream seems to be upgraded a full point release every 2 years, the upgrade from 7 to 8 using maintenance fees would cost $1190 anyway.

Could be worse... E-On could go "belly-up" in this economy (hope not).

Ester...

I think you are not correct but Chip is.  The maintenance plan starts from the date when you purchased xStream, not when you purchased the plan.  In other words, you may have lost 3 months already from the first plan purchase if you bought xStream 3 months ago.  The plan starts/renews from the anniversary of when you first purchased xStream.  That's how I read E-Ons' language anyway.  Elaborate if you pursue this further please.

Cheers...