"The point is it DOES work with Win98. It just works a whole lot better on a newer, larger system." -daverj Yup, I believe we have arrived at what is commonly called "the take home message." And here's another one: If you're still running anything with "Pentium III" (or lower) or "Windows 98" or "ME" or "NT" in the name, then you probably ought to start planning for (ie saving money for) a new system. Because if you don't, you'll eventually reach a point where new code no longer runs well (or fast enough) for you. If you don't believe me, then do a web search on Microsoft's new operating system, "Longhorn", which is now in development. There are a lot of changes on the horizon. It's best to be as informed and financially prepared as possible.

Drat! I had a nice post going, then something got buggered up and it was lost! Well, I'll just sum it up. I agree with JohnRender. Too many people get caught up in software gluttony, and don't prepare for the occasional infrastructure (OS and hardware) upgrades that will eventually be required. If you don't have the money, I sympathize with you. But that doesn't change the fact that you need to be responsible to yourself and plan for big expenses. 3D graphics is a big hobby/lifestyle/way to make a living, and so you can expect to occasionally have big expenses. I know that what I say next will sound overly simplistic and maybe a bit hard-hearted on my part, but it is, in fact, the prescription for the problem. And I offer this with only the best of intentions and love for all of you fine folks: Either decrease your other costs (rent, food, bad habits such as smoking, drinking, eating out too often, or getting tattoos), or increase your income (find a second job, deliver newspapers, work weekends someplace). If you are carrying high-interest consumer debt such as credit cards, 90-day-same-as-cash loans (that you couldn't pay off in 90 days), or high-interest loans of any type, then you need to pay those off as soon as possible. Until your consumer debt is paid off, you probably should NOT be making non-essential purchases of any kind. Think about this: If you have just $10,000 in credit card debt, you could be getting dinged for upwards of $300 or more per month in finance charges! So if you have finance problems, do yourself a huge favor. Find out where your money is going, how much you need (or want), and make an adult decision as to what to do next. If you can make extra money by producing art or models, then more power to you! If that's just not in the cards, then you may need to find something else to help make ends meet. Do it now. Start this weekend. What else were you planning to do that is more important? Watch the teevee? Go drinking with your buddies? Be responsible and kind to yourself and your financial future! Let's face it, Windows 98 and ME are long in the tooth. They're poor memory handlers, and they're not designed to protect the OS and applications from errant or self-destructive applications. Windows 2000 is better, and Windows XP is even better yet, assuming that it is set up correctly. But life is full of harsh realities: These OSs require faster machines meeting the newest industry standards (ie; chipsets, memory, video, and disk I/O subsystem advancements) in order for the OSs to do their job. You'll only be disappointed if you try slapping Windows XP onto a Pentium 100 machine with 128 MB of RAM and a 20 GB hard drive. I hope I haven't irked too many people, especially as seeing how I'm a newbie here on R'osity. Good luck to those of you who need to upgrade your infrastructure.

Thanks for the nice welcome, Bob. You'll find the doughnuts in the break room between the coffee machine and the tea-bags. I hope you like glazed. :D I didn't realize that Propack isn't a current product anymore. If that's the case, my decision has been made. I think I'll purchase the download/upgrade option of version 5. I have V2 and M2, but I like the version 3 models...it seems like no contest, so I'll probably go get the upgrade prices on those. I've also noticed a lot of impressive "Stephanie" variations and accessories. Decisions, decisions! I know DAZ has that platinum club thingie, except for the fact that you have to be confident that you would have spent $300 (US) in order to break even (I think it's a 30% discount on all purchases)...or $200 after paying for the Platinum club. Plus, there are plenty of other places to obtain (or make my own) stuff.... I'll give all of this some thought and keep you posted. Thanks again.

That's hilarious. My mom and dad had a cockatiel named "Sam", and two of the respondents here have "Sam" in their screen name. Coincidence, or kismet? Incidentally, Sam (the bird) lived to be nearly 22 years old before he passed (bless his little-bird soul). How old is that in bird-years? It's gotta be in the 90s or 100s!

Heh, you guys are funny. I guess in order for me to be a "real" violin player, I need to go back to 16th century Italy or Germany, build a violin, then come forward to present time and buy my own violin off of the market at an exorbitant price...or else I can't be called a musician! Wow, it's a good thing I've got that time machine in the garage! Oh yeah, and if you think building your own computer qualifies you for the title "programmer," you've got it wrong. You also need to forge the hard drive platters, solder the traces on your motherboard, and design and manufacture your own CPU! And when you're done with that, you need to write your own OS and application. But of course, you're not allowed to call it Poser. I'm imagining the writers of the original "Star Trek" series in the 60's being told, "you're not qualified to tell this story until you've actually built a starship and gone 'where no man has gone before'. Go find us some alien life forms, and we'll buy your little series from you." Yikes. Like I said, "Poison Friends." It's okay to play with them; just don't let yourself get too close to them.

This is a "re-send", because I don't think my post went through the first time. My apologies if I goofed and it shows up as a double-post!

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Greetings, folks! I believe this is my first post on a Renderosity forum. I find this discussion absolutely fascinating!

There is a term for people who denigrate those with artistic intent, desire, and effort. These people are "Poison Friends." I have a couple at work. I work in a computer programming environment...think Dilbert's "Cube City," and you'll get the idea!

Anyhow, I tried a few small works, and I got dissed when I had them up as backgrounds or screensavers. I was shocked and discouraged! I respect these guys! They'd give you the shirt off their backs if you were in trouble or need! They were in Vietnam! They fought for my Country, and they lost buddies! And they would do it all over again!

When I got over my shock, I began to realize that it's my artistic friends who are all usually very encouraging and helpful with their criticism.

And now I realize that my non-artistic friends pretty much "bee-eye-itch" about everything. They hated "Moulin Rouge" they hated "Simone", they don't understand the "Star Wars" thing or "Babylon 5." Circque du Soleil is too expensive. Seeing a concert at House of Blues is too much trouble.

They wine and p*ss and moan about everything. And I believe it's precisely because they DON'T have creative activities or pursuits.

It's not the same as the C4D crowd dumping on Poser people, but it is similar. Without realizing it, my "poison friends" exhibit their own brand of snobbishness.

So what I have done is separate them from my artistic side. Oh, sure, I still post my creative photos and artwork from time to time in my cubicle, but if someone hits me with a rude comment, I tell them that although my work is not perfect, I had fun doing it while relaxing in what little spare time I can find. I am SO busy with work and school and sports and stuff, and yet I still try to make time for making music and art. They all know this.

But to further drive the point home, I nicely ask them "what did you do last night just for fun? Oh, and watching television doesn't really count."

They never have an answer. And I have mine. And it makes me happy.

So all of you artists, whether you're professional or proudly an amature like me, would do well to keep your "poison friends" at arm's length. Remember, a poison friend isn't necessarily somebody who PURPOSELY hurts you, but one who hurts you nonetheless.

Anyhow, don't give up their friendship, mind you! Just don't give them the free and clear opportunities to stab your creativity in the heart while it's still gestating.

Protect and shield that innocent inner child inside you. Yeah, the one with the fingerpaints all over his/her hands, face, body, table, walls, ceiling.....

Oh, yeah....don't even get me started on "American Idol." I think that show is cruel and heartless and very VERY destructive.

Anyhow, thanks for listening, and have a super day!