This is an interesting read!  ;-)

Welcome to the world of 3d.  Some of the most interesting forums, and forumee's (?) that you will ever meet!  LOL!  You are joining at a very unstable (but exciting) time in this arena!

That's a cool to get an I5 at an estate sale!  I never even thought to look for computers, I always look for antiques and old stuff.

Poser 2012 offers a free 30 day trial.  Another option that could probably save a lot of time and trouble just seeing if you like this type of software by trying it for 30 days, and then, buy or delete.  You are sticking real close to the intent of the law then, and getting a little bonus by not having to download/install/hold your credit card hostage, etc. 

It will be hard to buy/delete when the time comes, but you'll be doing the right thing.  :)  A free piece of software, ain't worth a persons integrity.

In the meantime, doco and google are good, and there are 3 forums that are good help!  RDNA, here and Daz.  All 3 would give you good assitance with Poser, though this one and the RDNA are more Poser focused.  Daz has gotten a little dicey with the Poser followers lately...but it should iron out sometime, as SM and Daz seem to be working together.  There was even a way to get DS3 Advanced free at one point, and may still be a possible find. (though doco for DS is awful...)

Have fun!