Have read a few on a few forums and blogs how normal maps are superior over bump maps ? something to do with directional light?? 

High end like 3d max artists use normal, bump and specular maps! is this over kill within poser?

what are the advantages of normal maps over bump maps, in our hobbyist software if any?

Is displacement the same as normal maps ??

Would be grateful for some of the more enlightened of our community to cotribute some of their thoughts to my little conumdrum!!

Cheers Ray