Quote - If you've got some background in using DS -- even from four years ago -- then using it now shouldn't create such a barrier.

I spent my first three years noodling around exclusively with DS.  The last version I worked with was 3.1 Advanced.  I recently installed 4.6 Pro to experiment with Genesis.  After customizing the interface, I felt like I was home again.  It has so many features I have sorely missed.

Quote - There's no rule that says you can't use both Poser and Daz Studio, or that you can't use content from both.

Indeed not.  In fact, I'm hoping the next version of Reality will be advanced enough to give me a reason to switch back to DS as part of my primary workflow.  I only switched to Poser for access to IDL, Gamma Correction, and Poser-exclusive content.  Reality made IDL and GC irrelevant.

Quote - If you spend all your time and energy trying to keep up with what all the forum bickering is about, you're just wasting time that you could be spending on creating all that art you wanted to create when you started working with this stuff to begin with.

Good point.  Thank you for the insight.

Quote - In the end, most sane people looking at the art you produce aren't going to care what program was used to create it.

Again, I'm not concerned with people knowing what I used.  I need to know whatever I use will let me do what I want.

It seems everyone is telling me that, just because a new generation of figures comes out doesn't mean the old generation is any less viable or should stop being supported.  My job is to figure out which figure(s) will work best for me, and learn the skills I need to incorporate those figures into my art.

Does that about sum it up?