NEWS ITEM – Thursday, Feb. 1, 2001: The Project Freeware Group is announcing that we will be shutting down our website temporarily, to "regroup". Due to certain incidents that have taken place over the last week or so, several members have either quit the group, or are seriously considering doing so. These incidents include the repeated uploading of unauthorized repaints of PFG aircraft to various websites, and multiple instances of abusive forum messages, directed at PFG, and other Freeware groups.

NEWS ITEM – Friday, Feb. 2, 2001: The Freeware Flight Group today announces that it is closing down. Due to the general state of the freeware flight sim community and the never ending attacks upon us, we have decided that freeware is not fun anymore. The hassle from continuing to produce freeware now outweighs the benefits.

Our hobby is at a cross-roads, and the direction it is going is ominous. Perhaps it already has been damaged irreparably, as these news items attest. Or can it take another turn and continue to grow and prosper, as more and more people discover its pleasures and participate in the social discourse others have so enjoyed? What will determine the ultimate outcome?

Let's be clear about the virus weakening our hobby:

1. Some feel that developers' rights can be disregarded with impunity. The products of both commercial and freeware developers "enjoy" copyright protection—yet some evidently feel that local and international law doesn't apply to them. Why should developers continue to devote their efforts—at considerable expense in time and talent—if others simply take it away, make a few changes (or a 'repaint') often claiming credit for themselves? We call it piracy however benign the perpetrators motives may be.

Sadly, even a long-respected developer, who after requesting permission from the authors of a well-known and highly successful freeware aircraft/panel combo to offer "improvements" to that panel, but was refused, went on to distribute such changes to the public anyway—and had the chutzpah not only to ignore their copyright but to "copyright" his changes and to criticize the original work in his "tuning" 'readme' file. We should add that in another dubious case this same person made internals of another's commercial product publicly available on the web. Who was so utterly disrespectful of his colleagues that he would risk his own heretofore excellent reputation? Well, all we'll say is that AVSIM Online is removing all his uploaded files from our Library.

The situation has gotten completely out of hand for commercial developers. Not only are products being pirated, but are even offered in their original form on other's websites, offered in newsgroups, or simply "traded" freely by e-mail with others apparently willing to engage in this dishonest practice. We have documented evidence from an amazing list of developers and publishers—AETI, Aerosoft, Aerowinx, Flight1, Just Flight, Lago, Phoenix Simulation Software, and Wilco for starters—that their products are being abused in this way. In every case they've contacted the ISPs whose servers are involved—major ones like America Online, Earthlink and MSN-and caused offending web sites to be removed. Make no mistake; ISPs are cooperating big time. PSS, for example, was able to get nine renegade sites shut down.

2. Incivility is rampant in the message boards and forums. Moderators of AVSIM Online's forums work hard to remind those who post intemperate messages—and delete the offending messages when necessary—that our policy is clear and must be observed. But though some may simply be immature—products of a 'hell raising' ethos that apparently is commonplace in other venues—seem to enjoy attacking those who enrich our hobby seeking nothing more than simple appreciation—and courtesy. We're not talking about "constructive criticism" here, but outright disregard for the feelings and reputations of others.

Why are so many add-on products simply outstanding—and improving all the time? Because people take pride in their work. Sure, some developers want to be a commercial success, but think about the human angle. Whether commercial or freeware, the authors' reputations matter. And the forums are a very public place. Why should anyone tolerate even the appearance that their credibility is being undermined?

All right, some of you may be thinking, "What does this have to do with me? I just want to enjoy simming; there's plenty of stuff in the libraries to download anyway. I don't want to be involved in Avsim's or anyone else's politics." That may be, but it's obvious the truly great add-ons by producers such as the Project Freeware Group, the Freeware Flight Group, and yes, even Roy's Panel Shop can no longer be taken for granted.

"Well," you say, "I'll just spend a few bucks now and then and get the 'insanely great' commercial stuff we're starting to see." Now, here's the rub: success in the commercial marketplace presupposes there's a large and growing market to sell into. But is there? Newcomers to the hobby—as opposed to those who see flight simulation as just another 'game' among many—sooner or later discover that most fs products, market leader Microsoft's in particular, can be more realistic, and hence more fun, if they add a few new planes, or planes in different liveries, perhaps a few more interesting panels, some detailed scenery, maybe ATC, more realistic weather, and so on. Once they're "hooked" most start looking for good freeware add-ons. If they're impressed, they tell their friends. And the hobby expands. If not, well... they tell their friends that, too; and many are inclined to share their enthusiasm (or disappointment) in the forums.

What's happening here? They've crossed the threshold from simply playing to modeling! No longer satisfied with what's offered in the basic FS2000, Fly!, X-Plane or whatever—as good as these are—they find great satisfaction in creating an even richer virtual world—much as have legions of model railroaders in previous generations. Consider also the incredible fidelity others achieve today with their radio controlled planes, some scaled to approach the real thing in size and appearance. By analogy, committed flight simmers—having had a taste of an enhanced sim environment—go on to seek out the best of the available commercial products. This 'virtuous cycle' encourages and sustains freeware and commercial developers alike, maintaining a healthy competition for even greater strides—and everyone wins.

We're mindful that there are some who feel that perhaps a few freeware developers have been unnecessarily restrictive when it comes repaints, as this recent forum message "One mans opinion" states, in part:

"Would I ever paint, alter, change in any way an aircraft or panel and release it without first getting permission from the original author? NEVER. That is just a matter of respect for another person's wishes. What I do feel however is that maybe the authors of the work should not look at a paint over as an infringement on a copyright, but as a compliment to their skill. I will only speak of repaints here because that is the area I am getting into more and enjoy....This is a hobby that we should be able to enjoy to the fullest. Some are great builders, some painters, some air file makers. We all as a group increase the value of the hobby and make it that much more. If you build an aircraft and someone paints it, then enjoy the satisfaction of knowing that... DAMN you're good. Good to the point that people want to use your work to increase their enjoyment.

"...If they want you to ask... THEN ASK – And don't make money from others hard work, unless you are given permission. Also don't forget the credits. Is that so hard to do?... And if you are a builder then maybe ease up some. We love your work and just want to make it that much more. I for one do not want to take away from what you have done, but instead add to it."