Quote - Over the years various criticisms have been leveled at Poser's jointing methods. Some valid, some less so. Poser 8 made, in my view, significant improvements by providing a capsule fall off zone in addition to the sphere. I find this extra option very helpful indeed.

I would ask therefore, should new figures use these new features or totally ignore them under the banner of backwards compatibility? What is the point of making improvements if one is then criticized for using them?

DAZ Studio effectively copied the Poser joint format to enable it to load Poser figures. Its not beyond the realms of reason for them to copy this new option also. If they do not, then my interpretation would be, it is because they do not want to rather than it is not possible to.

Consider this, if DAZ Studio were to mirror the joint improvements pioneered by Poser 8 then maybe, just maybe, Vicky 5 would incorporate them also rather than being stuck with a rigging system that was created ten years ago.

Look to the future or be stuck in the past? Me, I'm moving forward :)

Unlike some people, I can't afford to buy the shiniest, latest and most powerful thingamabob that comes along. Not saying that you are just that  while it would be nice if V5 was compatible with P8 or lower when she comes out, if she's not, I'm going to do the same thing i plan to do with Miki 3... ignore her.

The difference is that I'm going to be saving a lot of money NOT trying to clothe a new model, and it's going to cost DAZ (or in this case SM) a lot of money in lost sales revenue. Like you say, that's the cost of progress.