I've been a member for a year and never haunted the forums, being that I'm not really a forum type person but when I started reading some of the stuff I realized what I have been missing all this time.... I don't ask too many questions having figured out a lot of stuff on my own and the manual of course but I wish I had started with the forums a long time ago.. Sure would have been easier for me... As for the CD with the book .. As I recall it didn't have much to offer... I know I never used anything on it... There were a lot of avi's I remember... Hmmmm I should load it up and see what's on it again.... =) Only time I've ever heard of Shamms R. Mortier is in connection with his book... Don't know if he's ever visited the Poser Forums or not.. I guess he got the blessings of Larry Weinberg being that Larry opened his book with a forward... =) ~Cindy