everytime 3dsmax crashes i'm reminded of autodesk's purchase of alias.  my prediction after the acquisition was that autodesk would kill or sell 3dsmax in two years or so.  it's got some nice features, but everyone who's used it (and especially those who've written plugins) knows that max is a mess. 

autodesk doesn't need two competing 3d modelling applications anymore than microsoft needs competing office products.  max is gunna die.  i just hope they move maxscript over to maya.