I'm thinking about buying an Access Virus Snow, but I have some questions

[sp33s]

This will be my first synthesizer, but I have some points of concern I would like to ask the pro's around here.

1. How easy is it to program the Snow without the software interface/purely by knobs? The reason I'm asking is because I'm scared in the future, when Virus has moved along, they maybe won't be updating their software for the TI series, because it will have less priority. So say in 10 years Windows 13 gets released, Access has moved up two generations, what if Access decides that making their software not Windows 13 compatible? (OK horrible example, but just to make a point ;P)
   
   I'm just saying because I had to throw away hardware before because manufacturers were too lazy to update their sofware (screw you M-Audio and HP). So say there is no software, what is your experience in the efficiency of the hardware user interface, and how does it compare to say the rest of the TI series, which do have a lot of dedicated knobs?
2. As my latest keyboard is just a MIDI controller (Akai MPK49), I need to fire up my DAW to fumble on my keyboard and find some melodies. I've experienced that this somehow results in me not starting the DAW as easily as I would "find melodies" on my previous MIDI keyboard, which had some piano samples in it. I usually would fumble for 5 or 10 minutes of dead time while waiting for something, but when I have to start my DAW and set stuff up it's not happening. This is actually one of the sole reasons why I want a hardware synth. Therefore I'm wondering whether I'm able to play with the Snow via USB (I know it will work via MIDI cables) without my DAW running.

Thanks so much for everyone who took the time to read/answer my questions, and looking forward to hopefully join the family