I just got this in my email today and thought some people might be interested. Alias|Wavefront is giving away Maya!
http://www.aliaswavefront.com/freemaya
I can't use it cause i'm running 98 but for people running nt/2k/xp/ or mac os x you can get it. I think it's a step in the right dirrection for these graphics companies. People can't learn the software if the don't have it and can't afford it. <dream>Maybe discreet will follow suit and give everyone personal copies of max 4.</dream>