I presume you have all heard of Peter Coss in Canada. He has a good forum here. Just to keep everyone in the loop...http://www.flightdecksolutions.com/forum/viewforum.php?f=1

Lots of products, lots of ideas, mstly geared towards PM users. Plug it in and it works with PM no problem. Just dont post about any products other than ones he's already making and even ones in development.Got banned from his forums for posting to a new guy who wanted to get some switches worked up for a small project hes starting. I told him about EPIC, Photon, Phidgets, IOCards and the like, even eluded to the fact that Pete had something in the works, although he never said anything about it. Next day, I was banned from the forum without any notification.We had some heat about me posting about other solution ideas before and the general concensus was that promoting products that were competition for his was an insult. I agreed and apologized. There wasn't even a product he has released as of yet and was trying to help a new guy out.I will never go back to his forums at all, even just to read the various posts. Beware the one-sided discussions of his and only his products. If you are looking for advice on building something, I would stay away from there and keep it here. Many more people here that are helpful in that regard and are not limited to one set of products only.

In regards to questions concerning interface or hardware products other than FDS I certainly agree not to discuss them on his forum. However there is a broad range of topics outside of the interface/hardware so I would definately suggest anyone building not to avoid that forum. There is a huge amount of info on building cockpits and the help from the usergroup is awsome as well. Together, combined with the help of users of this forum and other forums on the net, answers to the massive task of building can make just a little bit more sense.Sorry to hear that you were banned Aaron. Gary

I have had the pleasure of meeting Peter and his team and I can't imagine that you would be banned for simply laying out options to a fellow enthusiast... Pete is a builder just like the rest of us and while he sure wants everyone to buy FDS's (very high quality) products, I have had plenty of discusssions with him about lots of other products and he is honest and open minded in discussing them.FDS is a team of enthusiats who share the same passion and frustrations as you, and they are working hard to provide affordable quality products to the community. I do not find them elitist or closed minded about any aspect of the hobby.My $.02 worth.

If people who wanted to speak honestly, could do so without fear of consequence, this would be an *interesting* post :-lol Good luck Pete!Robert

Dear Mr. Parsons,Let us please be fair about other people. Peter had many times rightfully, and clearly, stated that his forum is "his house" and he wanted to keep it "his house". People that are there are discussing about their issues and construction of FDS parts there and as far as I have experienced, I have been a member of the forum since now 2 years, it is a very helpful and respectful community.I do remember some months ago the post that you have made, and I do believe that you have made it candidly in all your sincerity, about software. Discussing freeware against freeware and bashing pricing of PM. I was one of those who posted there against your way. Again, as I did then, I underline that: I respect deeply what all of those known and unknown freeware authors are/have been doing for our community. But it is "your choice" you can use freeware or you can buy payware you can, of course, also point out (in a way that you would like other people to treat your own work) positive and negative sides of a product.Why Peter is supposed to be wrong when he says "please respect also the rights of the people that are producing payware"?I better say it before anyone asks; yes I have all the parts that Peter has produced and will have everything that he will produce because he is "good" and yes I know him personally and I do believe he is a great person. In short Mr. Parsons (hopefully a builder soon) please keep your emotions under control and don't do people unjustice.Regards,Samim Aydin

You must be new Samim never heard of you before? What you building buddy?

Peter banned Mr Parson from his fourm because Mr Parson was helpful to newbie? So, he's nice and open-minded huh? :-hmmm

Yes and no Roberto; I am not new to the forum, since about 2 years I am following it (including your flights and photos :) ), but I am new to writing.I am building a 737 NG. Moving slowly but nicely, it is not easy to learn how to properly solder after 50..;-) not to mention convincing the wife (aka Boss) and son that what I am doing is much fun and if I don't go on doing it I might be dangerous...:)

A while ago, I was bashing PM as I feel that it is heavily overpriced considering the panels Mr. Cos produces (at extreme quality) are the same amount for the entire panel suite (without hardware).I do not have any personal feelings against his products as I feel they are of exceptional quality and very reasonably priced. The new guy was looking for a solution to simply hook up a few switches, autopilot and other switches, of which Mr. Cos has only announced after the deletion of my account and post about his new line in development for plug and play units that will replace the likes of EPIC and others.Mr. Cos has told me previously not to advertise products on the forum that go against what he is building and that, I do agree I was in the wrong in previously. But, how would anyone answer a question about hooking up switches for a cockpit someone is building without mentioning existing systems that don't appear to clash with anything Mr. Cos has already announced? He has a radio selection panel in the works for the Nav, Comm, ADF and others, an MCP and a panel that has 10 buttons on it that are limited to the panel. I even alluded to the fact that with the current span of the lineup, it might be worthwhile to wait for anything Mr. Cos could have in production and won't comment until the line is done and ready for distribution.I just don't see how that goes against him. I tried to almost be advertising his unannounced line that he announces just after deleting my post and banning my account from the forum. I don't see how I did anything wrong in this light.

Greeting Samim from another 50 plus ancient sim builder. I can identify quite well with you on trying to solider after age 50. As well as the looks you get from friends and acquaintances when you mention that you are building a simulator for a GAME. On the Peter Coss site issue; I have no pre-conceived opinions about his site. I went there once, after reading slip-Stream

John, Nicely put.Matt O.

I agree that this is an excellent site and well worth at least a weekly visit.With regard to it being FDS focused. If you visit Ford's website do you see much about Chrysler? Would you respect their request to NOT discuss directly competing products?The topics of the last 5 posts are:747 yoke wiring (nothing to do with FDS parts)PSOne compatible video cards (nothing to do with FDS parts)Cockpit airconditioning (nothing to do with FDS parts)Using multiple PCs (nothing to do with FDS parts)Update on a 737NG project (from someone who happens to use FDS parts)Me thinks politics even infiltrates us sim builders.I personally use AVSIM, FDS and PM forums (others very occasionally). In terms of learning useful 'general' building info, I've probably got as much from the FDS forum as I have from this one.Don't take my advice though, look at it yourself. If you like it, look at it again.With regard to the comment about never returning to the FDS forum even for a quick look, I guess that's what the intention of the ban was :-)Regards to allChris (nothing to do with FDS parts - apart from buying them)www.virtual737.com

Bravo