Just to toss in my 2 cents...

I was gonna buy it but after reading about all the long and failed downloads, decided to wait until after the initial rush. That and I really don't need the distraction right now, figured maybe in a week or so I'd get it.

But then we have all these threads showing the GI problems, the complaints about the library, some display issues, and the knowledge that even as all this is going on a SR is already in the works to take care of the library complaints.

So I decided to wait, see what happens, see what people say later on after using it for a month or more, or until after the first SR.

I'm not seeing a whole lot of positive Poser 8 threads, and I wonder if it wasn't initially hyped to be more than it actually is.

Additionally, the lack of 64 bit render in the Poser 8 release just makes me wonder why even bother. I've been using Poser pro and I doubt I could be happy going back to 32 bit rendering.
Although I understand why there is no 64 bit FF in Poser 8, I'm not understanding why they couldn't have released a 64 bit version at the same time. I would have been far more willing to pay for that, even if it wasn't the "Pro" version, even if it cost more.

Might just wait until Poser Pro 2010 (or whatever the hell they're calling it), which will probably be not only a better Poser 8, with all the Poser 8 issues fixed, but also a better Poser Pro too.

As for needing a "PHD in understanding a massive amount of confusing shit." to get past Poser's GI, I would recommend you never try out Mental Ray. ;-)