One thing that needs to be pointed out; that monthly fee you commit to, if you read all the fine print, entitles you to -two- software releases. Even if more than a year goes by between versions, you are entitled to the .5 release. And the potential gotcha in the maintenance contract is that the clock starts ticking from the time you -register- the software, not from when you begin the contract or subscription service.

 

Personally, I -like- the maintenance agreement. That's two versions of Vue I get per go around, and better access to the techs for bugs or 'features' issues. It comes out much cheaper in the end for me.

 

Yes, the newsletter was clumsily put together, no question. But frankly, I quit buying =anything= from an e-mail link years ago. I might follow it to get into a deal, but I promptly start digging to see all of the details. Occasional users probably can't find a need for the subscription.....but consistent users should check it out, as it may just prove cheaper in the long run, as well as keeping you up to date without requiring the kinds of cirque de soliel twists that some companies inflict on upgraders/crossgraders.