Quote - My goal is primarily to get back into the marketplace so knowing what people are currently using and buying for is great before I make the investments.  

Last question: When people say those programs are half off right now...Is 249.99 half off for Poser 9 ?  and 499.99 half off for poser pro?  

Depends on what you're planning on marketing. If you're going to be selling rigged items, Get Poser Pro 2012 because that's where you'll rig and weight map your products. As for those prices, those are the full prices not the current sale prices.