my experience was like Barb's. Tech support is very good and patient! They got my EQ7 straightened out and told me how the EQ8 was being done to avoid some of the tech problems. I updated to EQ8 and yes, no discs. But I find it Much more intuitive and easy to use--I'm not always hunting for a tool bar that lets me do something and just overall I think better. As with EQ7 I went ahead and bought some of the books that help you when they were on sale--I find them very helpful reference books. (plus sold my EQ7 to a friend). Just and FYI--when you update, you keep the EQ7 as a separate program in case you have quilts, etc on it.