My dear friends x and y would like to know how to convert maya format to 3dsmax format. This, if answered correctly, would make me feel happy inside, and possible create the energy siffucient to dance with joy. Thanks in advance,

You can use Polytrans or Deep Exploration to do the conversion, or you can use Kaydara''s free Filmbox (FBX) format to transfer data from one program to the other.