Is poker software useful?

[Deputy Dog]

I wondering because I have Wilson Turbo Texas Hold 'em tournament edition (I play the toughest level) and Poker Academy Pro. I can finish in the money consistently at the two table tournaments on both pieces of sofware and have won it all a few times. I can even get to the final table in Wilson's 360 player tourney on the toughest level.

The thing is, though, I basically just get my ass handed to me in the online tournaments that I play. I play the $2.00 buy-in 18, 45, and 180 player Full Tilt tournaments and I get killed. I can only sometimes limp into the final money spot.

I don't understand why I can do fairly well on these tough computer software games, but can't duplicate the success against the players in the little $2 online tournaments. Am I wasting my time practicing on the computer simulators? Do you they really help improve one's game? I'm pretty frustrated with them right now.