IMPORTANT NEWS!!!!

[Michael_De_Feyter]

HI again all,
Just a small misunderstanding I'd like to correct: Some people seem to think that by installing FDSConnection, all programs currently using FSUIPC will now automatically use FDSConnection. This is not the case, I could have written it that way (by giving the hidden FDSConnection window, the external programs communiate with, the same name as FSUIPC's). That would have been "going way over the line". Again, I do not have anything against Peter, I just did it so there would still be a freeware alternative for freeware developers. Programs that currently use need to be adapted by the developers in order to be comatible with FDSConnection. I've written FDSConnection in such a way though that the adaptation required is very easy and just a matter of replacing a few function calls. This way developers can make there products compatible with both FDSConnection & FSUIPC with very little effort.
regards,
Michael De Feyter
Flight Deck Software
www.flightdecksoftware.com

[j_g_parker]

Pete deserves not only to paid but a pat on the back.  The fact that the flight community is dependent on his utility should not be held against him.  he is not blackmailing us and never intended to.  we are using him.  He regularly updates hiw utility, responds to support questions, and has produced some informative documents (read his extensice manuals and you learn a lot about the working of FS, not just his utility). I've paid for 3-4 adds on that depend on his utility and he doesn't get a dime.  Some of the add ons did not live up to their name and I don't use them anymore.  But Pete's utility exceeded my expectations and I still use it every day. Moreover, if you read carefully his web site you will see that he has been more than fair.  First he tried for a long time to survive on donations but people fail to contribute.  He didn't set out to dupe the FS community into being dependent on him and the slap a price.  Moreover,  he has made the essential components (the ones we depend on) of the program free, but charges for the luxury items.  And he gives the full version to anyone who DID contribute before.  IF paying Pete his modest price means he can afford to keep improving and supporting this utility I say it is worth it.  Imagine the chaos if multiple standards develop again and Pete walks away from worrying about it all.  

[BFMF]

Sure, Pete Dawson's decision needs to be respected, but we still have the freedom to disagree.

Say I develop a freeware program that everyone loves, and then designers use it for their own developments. Before long, the whole community is dependant on it

Then, without warning I start charging a lot of money for it. Now the community who used it for everything, is left without it, and a LOT of freeware programs are useless. Now you tell me what's fair. Now if I had told everyone to start off what my plans are, maybe then people wouldn't have been as mad at me.

[JBaymore]

Say I develop a freeware program that everyone loves, and then designers use it for their own developments. Before long, the whole community is dependant on it

Then, without warning I start charging a lot of money for it. Now the community who used it for everything, is left without it, and a LOT of freeware programs are useless. Now you tell me what's fair.

Some would call that a brilliant marketing strategy.

[Michael_De_Feyter]

I agree that somehow Peter Dowson should be rewarded somehow for what he as been doing for the community the last years BUT, if Peter's module had been payware from the start, I guarantee you that most freeware FS addons today would not use FSUIPC, they would all have had their own interface towards FS or maybe other free alternatives would have existed. Anyway, it is true that in the ideal world microsoft should be the one to provide us with an interface towards their product. While developing FDSConnection I noticed that there are so many variables out there somewhere in the FS9 memory space that are unknown, not used or simplified in order to be compatible with FS98/FSUIPC. If MS would have provided us a descent SDK from the start, all this messing around with shared memory hidden windows atoms and so on, just to get a variable out of FS would not have been necesary. I hope that one day MS will do some efford for us as well.
regards,
Michael De Feyter
Flight Deck Software
www.flightdecksoftware.com

[JW]

JBaymore, I agree with you.

Something like this starts out as a hobby, a wish to influence the flightsim as you see fit, so a program is growing. Now, other people are interested. You give them support, updating the program as people hope you will, which is time consuming. Doing well, your product now starts setting the standard. More time and support is expected, so you support people even further, upgrading your program. Suddenly, companies start releasing products, using your proggy, and making money, basically the quality of their product is possible because of the quality of yours. Then, is it strange to go commercial yourself?

Don't forget: FS2004 is a new product, so the new FSUIPC is commercial, so what? Freeware FSUIPC still works with all addon products in FS2002 FOR FREE. Didn't people bitch the same way, when windows went 32 bit, where it once was 16 bit, leaving most software unusable? Sometimes PROGRESS takes its toll, you can't expect a product to grow more advanced over a couple of years, without the people doing the real math reaping the fruits of their own intelligence, while all others have done so before themselves.

And to all those who speak for the 'community': I get funny faces when this argument is used, whereas in the mean time the community shows it's respect for past service rendered by bombarding the creator of such fine software with hatemail, showing the biggest respect for their OWN wellbeing all the more. Not everyone ofcourse, but many for sure.

Anyway, who cares about how I see the world anyway?

[Smoke2much]

If an author of fiction wrote excellent short stories and published them on a website and we could read them for free went on to publish a novel we (the public) would pay.  We would acknowledge the time and effort that went into the writing of the book and pay the author its due.  A freeware version of the program still exists but for the new sim the author has chosen to charge us for his time and effort.  So pay the man.

Will

[slimcooper]

Well, I applaud Pete for disigning and giving us FSUIPC for free for so long. But I also think it should have been payware from the beginning if he was planning on making a living doind it. There are many a story of inventions and discoveries that have not earned a penny for the person discovering or inventing it. History just chalks it up to bad luck or being naive. Even Sutter,the guy that first discovered gold in California, died a penniless man.
  I agree with Andrew when he said Pete should charge the payware developers and give the code to the freeware developers. But how would he keep someone from giving the code to a payware developer? I guess there is no good answer. I am very pleased to see that Micheal with fdsconnection has made it simple for developers to make there product able to use either or both. Now its up to us to get the word out about fdsconnection and get the developers to check into using it. I know I wouldnt like someone having to pay to get something I made for freeware work. I respect Pete's work and contribution to the community, but I also think it has a chance of blowing up in his face if this freeware version gets rolling. You know, we should all be flying our sims instead of typing in here, lol, I hate typing.

respectfully,
Slim

[JW]

...But I also think it should have been payware from the beginning if he was planning on making a living doind it...

Slimcooper, sorry if I disagree.  ;) That is like saying the man should've decided for a careerpath from birth, to me.

Now we all know, during our lives we may change careers or jobs many times over. You never know up front what life brings you, so I personally think, the timing to start delivering payware at the outcome of FS2004 and the new FSUIPC version is quite correct. After all, the (old) freeware package didn't stop functioning, right? The conditions under which it operates haven't changed, it just doesn't work with the new flightsim...

[DC10fser]

Hi All,

I think this has been a fscinating thread that has almost become a morning column for me.  It is also to see so many opinions presented in a LONG thread as this professionally and with no mess.  At least not that I'm aware of..

Anyway, I think one or the other will eventually become essential for us.  Remember I was the one trying to go as far as I could w/out either.  Not happenin.   That all ended this am when I went to AVSIM and saw the "Time Fix" utility for download.  LORD!!  Don't tell me that FS2K4 has this awefull problem as well!!!!  No way..  Has anyone experienced the 2k2 type time problems when flying long haul flights?
OH MAN!  I remember my PIREPS always being wrong. dang!!

Well, if so, then everyone needs this utility (or do the time on the calculator/watch...rediculous in a software pack) and this download clearly states: FSUIPC!  And, I bet the developer is not talking about the freeware version 3.0 0r above.  

It then becomes confusing as to what will be compatible with what.  FSD or FSUIPC?  I am also happy that someone else has tried tomake a compatable freeware version and applaud FSD!!  But, we will all certainly face the decision as to whether we "Have" to buy the FSUIPC.  I think as new releases come out, we will all see that whether we like it or not, we're gonna have to buy the FSUIPC.    

I wish I could afford to buy a license for the FS community.  If I was rich, I would!

Best,
Britton

[DC10fser]

Developers!!!   Please let us know.  Thank You!!!
Best,

HI again all,
Just a small misunderstanding I'd like to correct: Some people seem to think that by installing FDSConnection, all programs currently using FSUIPC will now automatically use FDSConnection. This is not the case, I could have written it that way (by giving the hidden FDSConnection window, the external programs communiate with, the same name as FSUIPC's). That would have been "going way over the line". Again, I do not have anything against Peter, I just did it so there would still be a freeware alternative for freeware developers. Programs that currently use need to be adapted by the developers in order to be comatible with FDSConnection. I've written FDSConnection in such a way though that the adaptation required is very easy and just a matter of replacing a few function calls. This way developers can make there products compatible with both FDSConnection & FSUIPC with very little effort.
regards,
Michael De Feyter
Flight Deck Software
www.flightdecksoftware.com

[JBaymore]

DC10fser,

I know that FreeFD (supplier of freeware "glass cockpit" type stand alone gauge programs) just announced on it's website that their program now will work with EITHER interface into FS2004.

THAT is the way that I would hope that ALL developers will go....... dual interface compatibility.  That way there won't become the issue of a  program only working with one OR the other...... and making the situation kinda' fragmented.  Yhis is assuming of course that both of the programs offer the exact SAME features....... which makes the "burden of compatibility" sit back on the developers of the interface software and makes it a pain in the butt for THEM.


best,

................john

[Mike Thurman]

What's FSUIPC???????????

[DC10fser]

Hi John,

Roger that!  Let's hope so.  Funny thing is I had no idea until I started reading this thread that FSUIPC ran so deep.  The more the merrier..

Best Regards,
Britton

[quote]DC10fser,

I know that FreeFD (supplier of freeware "glass cockpit" type stand alone gauge programs) just announced on it's website that their program now will work with EITHER interface into FS2004.

THAT is the way that I would hope that ALL developers will go....... dual interface compatibility.

[DC10fser]

Hi Mike,

I think this thread will pretty much explain all sides and aspects of FSUIPC.  :)

Best,

What's FSUIPC???????????