Buy it. The info on the forum is worth it if you never use the program. Larry will answer questions without holding anything back. Great stuff and well worth the money.
I have recently got pipemax. when you buy it you can then access the forum and there's lots of info there, and from what i have seen Larry checks most days and answers what he can. For $50 you can't go wrong - that's 5 beers where I am.
I'd be interested in understanding how the experienced Pipemax guys are using the program when they start a porting project from scratch, and how they are using the information provided.....