If anyone's happy with FSX there probably no strong reason to switch.
Just in the couple of years that I've been using FSX, I've seen huge improvements.
And THAT is very important, because after the total fiasco with Microsoft Flight, no Microsoft exec will be willing to propose FS 11
You'll find plenty of people on the internet saying how much better Prepar3d is, and that they'd
NEVER EVER go back to FSX.
I do think that it's better, but not as much as some seem to think. As time goes by it
WILL become far, far better, though.
So should you buy it?
READ their EULA.
Unlike so many companies, the Lockheed Martins' EULA is very clear and simple.
They make no bones about it not being sold/used for entertainment. Period.
On the other hand
the EULA doesn't define the educational requirements.
Outside of the EULA, yes, they do define
how they would like it to be used. BUT the EULA is the legal part of that whole deal.
SO* You can't buy it for entertainment use.
* To use it for actually training students, you need the edition sanctioned for that purpose, the
Professional License.
What does LM have to say that might help you decide if Prepar3d can be used by you?Can Prepar3D be used at home?Prepar3D can be used in any location. Where you intend to use Prepar3D is not a consideration in the licensing EULAs; it only matters how the software will be used. As specified in the EULAs, Prepar3D can be used for purposes other than personal/consumer entertainment.On
this page LM says;
"Lockheed Martin Prepar3D can be used for educational curricula, after school programs, summer camps and at home."
On their
comparison license chart it says that the
Academic License can be used for
"K-12 After School Programs".
That's Kindergarten to 12th grade (ideally, that would mean pre-school followed by 12 years of schooling over here).Kindergarten???? Non-entertainment????I don't think that any kindergarteners could possibly study aeronautics without haveing a LOT of entertainment.
Which begs the question -
Can something be educational AND fun/entertaining?Personally, I think that the answer is self evident.
So if it seems to me
(admittedly not a lawyer), that if the
EULA does not require a formal educational setting,
AND you can use Prepar3d to learn
something, then go ahead and buy it.
But if your intention is to
ONLY have fun
while learning absolutely nothing, then do not buy it.
If you still have doubts about your ability to learn something from Prepar3d, or the legality of teaching yourself something at home, PLEASE! seek professional help.
As I said - I'm not a lawyer Nor am I a psychologist capable of judging your learning abilities.
I might as well throw this in -
DO NOT INSTALL PREPAR3D ON YOUR WORK COMPUTER, unless teaching flight is your job, of course.
I do use it to learn. And I have a good time learning. And if I survive my new job, I hope to get into a cockpit this summer.
But even if I never make into a cockpit, I'll still have learned something.
I can see why (perhaps) the P3D forum are being a bit touchy, after all they are responsible for upholding the EULA.........Other websites banning it seems a bit ridiculous to me but hey, each to their own, the web never was a democracy.
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