I certainly agree with the general theme about Poser.  One can do quick out-of-the box modeling within a couple of hours without getting discouraged.  Additionally, experiment, experiment, experiment is the key.

The Poser 8 manual and tutorial are quite good, but you got to give them a try.  The more you experiment, the more they make sense.  These manuals cannot be read via the Evelyn Wood speed reading course-if you try it you will have a painful death (every sentence is important and skimming is not recommended).

As for the characters, folks need to give them a try and make up your own mind.  Personally, I like both DAZ and Poser models equally.  Its basically what one prefers eg GM products vs Ford vs foreign imports.

As for upgrading to Maya, etc. they are the industrial standards for graphic arts and professional folks and you talk about manuals and the learning curves for those puppies.  For most of us, its a slow painful death learning it--sort of like learning Calculus and higher math.
Doing well in those programs is a gift like making a billion dollars golfing.  Yeah I'm envious of Maya etc folks.  Jan