http://www.fsplanet.com/10102002.htm1st file. I had an inkling it'd be up there, and I know I sure as hell didnt upload it!

Does that harm you in some way?

Must say this whole FSPlanet hatred IS a bit confusing. I'm a relative newbie, so I must have missed all the piracy Ferdy is supposed to be famous for; but when he uploaded one of my files without permission and I questioned it, he offered to remove it immediately. I did not take him up on that as it seemed that was pointless, as long as my work remained as freeware.The B24 in question seems to be a compilation of others's work, in any case: a CFS skin, panel and sound by third parties and, if I am not mistaken, a VC that has been around for some time too (I have thirteen B24s in my hangar, and recognise most of this one!) So I'm not sure that this isn't the pot calling the kettle black! I may be entirely wrong, of course. Anyway, if anyone can explain the Ferdy story in three sentences without this becoming a "Ferdy's just a thief" thread, I'd be grateful.Mark "Dark Moment" Beaumonthttp://www.swiremariners.com/cxkaitak.htmlhttp://www.swiremariners.com/reds.htmlhttp://www.swiremariners.com/cxkaitakv3.jpg

And if it is the B24 that he is referring to, I didn't see anything in the "readme files" that prohibited it being uploaded to any specific site. Once again, what harm was done?

Well, I apologize for not informing better, but I do have a thing against Ferdy and FSPlanet since I heard of his Avsim downloading/uploading fiasco. It appears as though he is now on flightsim.com, since Avsim banned him...I refuse to upload to his site, and I do suppose I could ask him to remove it...On a nice point, though, he did get some nice screenshots of it, lol.:(

Okay, Mark, I'll give it shot.1) Ferdy pirates most of the files from sites like this one, skulking their bandwidth to enhance his own site.2) He charges for membership to enhanced D/L speed, making money off freeware files that he uses without permission.3) His mirror is VolFTP in Italy, who are also making money off freeware talent while violating numerous international and Italian copyright laws.This is the best I can do (but should be more than enough) with three sentences.And before anybody says anything about FS.com charging for enhanced D/L speeds, authors who upload their creations to that site do so of their own volition. No theft or unauthorized profit from freeware work occurs at FS.com.Regards,

Nicely said *thumbs up*

FS.com also doesn't install spyware and sell hard copies of freeware like Ferdy does

:-beerchug , Bob.But Mark said three sentences, so I did the best I could. :-)

"(...) I didn't see anything in the "readme files" that prohibited it being uploaded (...)"You're turning things upside down. Such a prohibition is automatically in place by law, and in order to upload stuff to any other site, specific permission from the author is needed.So it's not: "You can upload unless it's specifically forbidden", but: "You can't upload unless it's specifically permitted". Please: any of you geezers who keep bringing this up again and again, please please PLEASE finally take the trouble to learn the very basic bottom line of national and international copyright legislation. It really is not difficult. Jaap Verduijn.

<<1) Ferdy pirates most of the files from sites like this one, skulking their bandwidth to enhance his own site.>>Thanks, Soar Pics, for your three sentences, LOL. So when you say "pirates", do you mean "uploads to his site"? He doesn't actually use Avsim's bandwidth, surely?<<2) He charges for membership to enhanced D/L speed, making money off freeware files that he uses without permission.>>OK, but don't think he's alone there. Try planesimulation.com and even flightsim.com on occasions (ask Heather Sherman ...)<<3) His mirror is VolFTP in Italy, who are also making money off freeware talent while violating numerous international and Italian copyright laws.>>Yes, can't work out that mob. Stupid site, too, that clogs up my screen with pop-ups. No doubt you're right about the violations if you've researched them, but don't know a lot about Italian copyright myself.And Bob:<>Now that's more of a reason not to like him ... but how does this work then? Mr. Ferdinand has installed nothing on my machine that I know of, so please explain further in case I (and others) are missing something here. He's not offered me any hard copies of freeware either ...I'm not wanting to make this thread laborious, but just wish to know why everyone always jumps down his throat. Personally, I don't find his "approach" too unfriendly ... when he uploads files, he clearly checks them out first as he posts his own screenies, and the star rating is no different to our venerable Bear doing his thing here. Helps, sometimes, to sort out the chaff from the wheat.Maybe I'm just always looking for the good in people ... this is a hobby, after all, not the Third World War. But if some of you have been genuinely upset by this man and his site, then forgive my ignorance.Mark "Dark Moment" Beaumonthttp://www.swiremariners.com/cxkaitak.htmlhttp://www.swiremariners.com/reds.htmlhttp://www.swiremariners.com/cxkaitakv3.jpg

Spyware is not installed with your agreement, Mark. While the page is loading, Gator or Cydoor could be installing on your system without you knowing. :-lol I know, it's messed up. There's a utility called Ad Aware that does wonders detecting spyware on your system. Get it and run it, you might be surprised. :)Cheers,http://www.simubuild.com/gfx/banner/SBB_Pimentel.jpgAA RULES!!! :)Download my semi-photoreal AA 757!:http://ftp.avsim.com/library/sendfile.php?DownloadID=16882Aerolineas Argentinas A330-200 NOW AVAILABLE!!http://www.thevivcorp.com/~fyarepaints/MyR.../posky332ar.zipChrome AA 767 NOW AVAILABLE!!http://www.thevivcorp.com/~fyarepaints/MyR...osky767aaV1.zipDominicana de Aviacion 727-53C NOW AVAILABLE!!http://www.thevivcorp.com/~fyarepaints/MyRepaints/dom722.zip______________________________"Whenever you find yourself in the side of the majority it's time to pause and reflect" - Mark Twain

Hi Mark,I can appreciate your position... I too try concentrating on the best in people. However, I've not seen much in Ferdy and VolFTP.Rather than hashing all this out yet again, I suggest you search the subject in this and the Hanger Chat Forum. There was a flurry of activity back in June on Ferdy's doings.From this simmers perspective, anybody who makes the mistake of frequenting Ferdy's site and/or VolFTP is supporting thieves who don't give a damn about the hobby. They're in it just to line their own pockets... on the backs of freeware authors.Regards,