For $29.95 you could try the quilt design wizard, it is supposed to be more user friendly and is a "watered down" version of EQ. It does alot of the same things as EQ. I guess it depends on what you are looking to be able to do. Compare them both and see what you think.
http://www.quiltdesignwizard.com/qdw/about.asp
http://www.electricquilt.com/Shop/EQ6/EQ6.asp
check out the demo video too, on the EQ6 web page :wink: