This message was posted by Steve on AmayaUsers.com. PLEASE DO NOT REPLY VIA EMAIL. Instead, respond to the thread on the WEBSITE by clicking here: http://www.amayausers.com/boards/ultimatebb.php?/topic/6/15.html#000001 I can only answer 1 and 2 since I do not have an Amaya but have an older Melco machine. 1) Melco training and Tech Support - I took my training in New Jersey and John(the trainer) has been with Melco for many years(He tought my parents thier first machine in 1993) and really knows his stuff. He can walk through anything in DesignShop blindfolded and answer any question correctly the first time. You didn't say what state you live in so I don't know if NJ is where you will be training. Phone Support - The guys really know what they talking about and have been able to walk through all my problems. I'm lucky enough to have a tech that lives about 30 miles from me so I can someone here in a hurry if the machine is down. 2) Design Shop - From what I have seen here, you will want a computer with lots of memory (at least 512mb) or you will experience problems. I have 1gb of memory in my computer and it runs fine. My old computer had 256mb of ram and kept crashing DesignShop. No matter which machine you buy, plan on spending a couple hundred dollars on additional stuff like thread, scissors, backing, hooper, work table, bobbins, machine oil, and maybe some extra hoops. Some companies give you just enough supplies to get started but you will soon find out it isn't enough. =========================================================== The AmayaUsers Mailing List Website: http://www.amayausers.com Discussion Board: http://www.amayausers.com/boards Subscribe/Unsubscribe: http://www.amayausers.com/list ===========================================================