How do I go about bringing characters and such, (as can be found in the Poser Free Stuff area,) into Poser 4? I assume its a matter of just placing the correct files in the correct folders? If so, how do you open them?

I think I misread this the first time; you're asking about how to get new models to show up, and not about how to add characters to a scene, right? If the model was set up correctly and had a detailed "Readme" file, it should appear in the libraries somewhere. If not, then: 1) If the file includes a PZ3, open that file (in Windows you can just double click it; Poser should be associated with that file type), then use the little "+" button on the appropriate Library tab to add this character to the library, props and all. 2) If the file doesn't include a PZ3, then I don't remember what to do. It's been a while since I installed a character without a detailed Readme! Hopefully someone else can help you there.

If the character is a simple cr2 file just put it in your characters directory in PoserRuntimeLibrariesCharacterAny file you want. Sometimes textures may already have been saved pre-applied and in that case Poser will ask you for them. You don't need to follow the readme here. Place the texture wherever you like to keep them and point Poser to it. You can then resave so Poser remembers the path. Generally if a download has an .obj or .pcf, .uvs file then instructions are usually provided as well. If not then check back at the forum :)