I just thought I'd add that somebody here might wonder why, if I've got my computer working again, why should I no longer want to use Poser 8. Well, this is in my own opinion why not...

1. I do not, repeat, not, like the new Poser interface. It is very ugly, not to mention cramped, and the only way it can be used effectively wouold be on a monitor the size of Manhattan. P7 interface is beautiful and easy to use, P8 is not, and that goes for Daz studio, too. I do not like being boxed in when I'm working, and floating palletes all over the place is a messy nuisance, not a solution.
2. When I first had P8, I managed to use it perfectly well for several days before it crashed, and in that time I can clearly say I found virtually no difference whatsoever between its features and those of Poser version 7. So on that point alone, it was not worth the update cost. In fact I don't think there's any justification for updating beyond P7.
3. Even when the P8 library is working efficiently, it is still slow on my computer, as compared to the wonderful P7 library. There was no need to change it IMO and that's another reason why the upgrade is to me a waste of money. I still suspect that the P8 library cannot cope with large and complex runtimes, and I seriously doubt that it was ever tested on a huge runtime like mine.
4. Both previous versions and P8 might be great for people with a huge room full of networked super computers, but Poser in general seems very limited in scope when run on a bog standard basic home rig like mine. I therefore suspect that the stated system requirements of ALL versions of 3D art software are entirely wishful thinking, and more to do with sales optimism than domestic practicality.
5. And apart from the above, I wish I'd never ever encountered the world of 3D art, which has taken over my life at the expense of my original vocation as a traditional designer and illustrator. 3D art has not only cost me a considerable fortune, but has failed to deliver results that are anywhere near as personally satisfying, or as high a quality as the artword I did before. And I certainly wouldn't bother to defend any of the many freebie 3D models I've made, because they are all crap, too, at least in comparrison with much of the high quality stuff in the 3D stores. So in a nutshell, I don't honestly want to continue with ANY version of Poser, or take part in its future, because I don't really enjoy Render art, especially if any of its software is going to take up all my time trying to make images that no one really wants, or fix the software, or it is going to cost me money which I really don't have to spare. IMO, the world doesn't need 3D art to survive, and won't perish without it, no matter how stunningly beautiful much of it is. The only thing I am happy to agree with is that Render art does bring the capability of creativity to those who are not naturally gifted artists, and in that respect it must be of great satisfaction and benefit. 

This is only my personal opinion, and I respect any other artists who view 3D art differently.