There was planned to be a web-based or online version of DS, as announced at the launch of 4.0, but I certainly don't recall any indication whatsoever that there was ever an intent for it to be on-line only.

I remember - I don't remember who pointed out the Comcast/TWC issue, but I remember a number of us that were yelling about leaving the content on DAZ's servers (I don't know about you, but TWC internet is the suckz - and I hear that Comcast is worse, if such a thing is actually possible) - and having to have an internet connection to make the product function (some things never change). For some reason, there wasn't a lot of trust in the PC forum for DAZ from long-time customers.  I personally thought the concept was elegant and it would certainly lock the customers into a very small walled garden that would be controlled by DAZ (all hookerware, all the time), but the communication between the servers and the end user would be it's downfall - internet service being what it is in the US.
Here is the very first sentence talking about the JSON spec:

JSON (JavaScript Object Notation) is a lightweight data-interchange format. 

This is the start of Wikipedia's entry on JSON:

JSON or JavaScript Object Notation, is an open standard format that uses human-readable text to transmit data objects consisting of attribute–value pairs. It is used primarily to transmit data between a server and web application, as an alternative to XML.

Sorry I can't quote from a JSON manual,  but I am a REXX kinda guy myself ;p).  No doubt a result of my time working at IBM (and luvin' my OS/2 boxen)

JSON doesn't make any sense if it isn't web-based and pushing content from a server to an application.  That is the primary purpose for the existence of JSON. 

AFA DS 4.0 release, a number of things flamed out pretty spectacularly - like thinking people would pay for it.  (Sorry, but if I didn't say it - someone else would have.)

Terrance, there are a number of people that could use your help up in the DS forums.  Have you ever thought about spending any of the time you spend disrupting Poser threads up there helping customers that actually support your platform of choice?  Just a thought. 

I am sure I am not the only person that took the trouble to figure out how to get you on the ignore list.