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Best of the Year Awards
Welcome to the AVSIM Online 1997 Best of the Year Awards. We have spent a considerable amount of time reviewing the various shareware, freeware and commercial contributions to the simulation community and have selected what we think are the best of the best in three categories; freeware, shareware and technology. Our criteria for selecting these programs and their authors for the 1997 award were simple and straightforward; their overall contribution to the community as a whole, the level to which they have increased the realism and pleasure of flight simulation, and the degree to which they have advanced the technology to higher and more encompassing levels.
BEST FREEWARE AWARD: The Best Freeware of 1997 goes to Jason Groom for his Squawkbox ProController real time ATC system. Without a doubt in our mind, Jason's SB/PC system has advanced the realism of flight simulation far beyond that which we could have reasonably expected from a single individual. Prior to July of 1997, we were saddled with limited alternatives in the realtime ATC environment, and those that were available had monthly costs that were prohibitive for most online simulation pilots. Jason's programs opened the doors for thousands of pilots to participate in real time ATC, which they might not of otherwise been able to partake in. Further, and maybe more importantly, Jason's program provided the pilot with the alternative of seeing ATC from the other side of the coin; that of the controller's. This has provided users with the benefit of seeing real life ATC in a different light, and one which all have benefitted from. The importance of the education that most have gained while using this system is immeasurable and will be long lasting. BEST SHAREWARE AWARD: Our Best Shareware of 1997 award goes to David Drouin for his GPS. David introduced GPS1.0 in the early summer of 1997 as a freeware program. When FS98 was released, David transitioned his GPS2.0 over to shareware and it became one of the first add-on's for that simulation. David's GPS unshackled the flight simulation enthusiast from long range VOR/NDB navigation, allowing trans-oceanic crossings in a more realistic manner. He also provided the simulation community with the first program that allowed pilots to fly coupled flight plans that were truly reflective of the real life GPS/autopilot operation. David's GPS was first, and it is truly a monumental achievement. BEST TECHNOLOGY AWARD: Adam Szofran receives our Best Technology Award for 1997 for his FS6IPC DLL, the underlying interpreter that allows programs like GPS v2.0, Real Weather, and many others to operate. Without Adam's DLL, many of these add-on's to FS98 would not be possible. His effort in bringing this interpreter is mostly unseen and unrecognized by the community. Never the less, the importance of Adam's work is respected and admired by those that recognize the importance of his coding. Without it, many of our add-on's would not work. Adam's often unrecognized efforts have been and will continue to be enormously important to the community. Congratulations to our awardees! Your efforts have truly benefitted the simming community and are appreciated!
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