Until recently, AVSIM rated all reviews, be they freeware, shareware, or commercial using the same system. And in many cases, the Freeware products stood toe-to-toe with those of commercial developers. But as the aviation simulation add-on industry has grown, two significant changes have taken place. First, the sheer number of commercial developers and thus products has increased. Second, we have seen the depth and expertise of commercial development teams far out pace the time lone, or small groups of freeware developers, can devote to a project.

To address the growing concern that the deluge of commercial products might one day squeeze freeware developers out of the picture, AVSIM Online felt it was essential to not only ensure freeware developers exposure but also use a unique rating system. The idea was to make sure readers would know right away this was not the work of a dozen paid programmers or designers, but the fruits of a lone designer, or maybe a group of two or three, who still develop aviation simulation products for the sheer enjoyment of doing so.

The approach taken actually is two-pronged. First, we added what most of you know now as "Mini-Reviews." Every other week Staff Reviewer Steve "Bear" Cartwright brings you "Bear's Top Library Picks." These are the best freeware uploads to the AVSIM Library over the two week period. Staff Reviewer Aidan "Akulla" Williams appears on alternate weeks with "Akulla's Forgotten Jewels." These are rare library uploads which have stood the test of time and are just as good today as when they were first uploaded. If you have wondered why Aidan often goes a while with no Jewels, it is because he is on active duty with the UK Armed Forces. In recent months, that has often kept him a bit too busy to write. But don't worry; he will be back as always when things quiet down a bit.

As for the second part of the Freeware Rating System, we have developed the "AVSIM Approved Award" and the "AVSIM Gold Award" to identify the best of the freeware offerings. These awards are applied to both mini- and normal length reviews. And we will continue to bring you full-length reviews of freeware products that deserve expanded coverage. Basically, the "AVSIM Approved" award goes to those products which represent an exceptional effort on the part of the developer or development team. The "AVSIM Gold Award" is reserved for those freeware works that push the envelope and forever raise the bar for the works which will follow.