I don't know where you live, but I'm near Syracuse NY. Purchased a brand new Bryce 4 (upgrade version) at a computer show for $99. It's a freestanding program - no prior version was required (luckily!) Now if I could just figure out how to use the darned thing! If there are computer shows where you live (we have them monthly) I would highly recommend it. I have purchased the "last version" of many programs this way. If you don't like it, you're not out that much and if you do like it you can get a break on the upgrade in most instances.