Have been using FSMeteo for several years now.Recently purchased ActiveSky wxRE. While it's a good product, it not substantially better than FSMeteo.One feature that I really miss is an interpretation of the downloaded weather in "layman's" terms....not having to be some certified meteologist.....I'm amused that so many claim that this program makes clouds look "better"! I haven't seen it here.Happy, but not elated (maybe with the enhancements coming?)Just my opiniongwillmot

Active sky is half the cost isn't it-even if there were no substantial difference that alone would justify it? http://members.telocity.com/~geof43/Geofdog3.gif

Yep....but having FSMeteo already takes away the "atta boy".I highly recommend it to non-users of other weather gathering programs, but I still don't see dramatic changes at the present time.I'm glad I purchased it...anticipating further development of the program.I just feel that quite a few people got caught into the "hype" by commenting on things that just aren't there. Just trying to be as objective as I can. I think the developers appreciate honest observations.gwillmot

I also have both-but I prefer active sky-no "hype" here. I do think the results are much better in all aspects.http://members.telocity.com/~geof43/Geofdog3.gif

>I was not reacting to you "Hype" statement but your >statement telling us that it "wasn't there." ;-) >>Dooohhhh..... >>I'll post some pics of the same location runing default >weather, FS Meteo and WxRE for you to compare later. Thanks,Your help will be greatly appreciated.gwillmot

Hello,Decoding was not done in order to keep the realism there. You can get decoded messages, just like in real life, via ATIS or flightwatch. Learning METAR code is not having to be a meteorologist.. it is learning how to be a pilot..Making clouds look better.. well, for one, we use intelligent cloud selection (stratus, cumulus, cirrus) depending on conditional factors. Don't think any other add-on does that. That brings more variation to the clouds you see.Automatic layer adjustments to prevent clouds from popping in and out. Again, don't think any other add-on does this.Intelligent cloud layer transition display, aware of your altitude and 3d/2d cloud draw mode and gives you the best type of cloud transition for best effects.. Again, don't think any other add-on does this.Wake turbulence... again a first...TAF processing and dynamic weather.. again a first..Intelligent turbulence based on surface conditions, terrain and upper air conditions.There are many more features...While I appreciate your input and that you don't feel any of these new features make a difference, I have to wonder if you have really spent any time with ASwxRE and instead just loaded it up, looked at the clouds real quick then made up your mind? It does take some time to learn the different features within ASwxRE and appreciate the benefits.-Damian[table border=0" cellspacing="30" cellpadding="0][tr][td align = "left"]Damian ClarkHiFi Simulation SoftwareDeveloper of ActiveSkyThe next-generation weather environment simulation for FS2002!http://hifi.avsim.net/activesky[/td][td]http://hifi.avsim.net/activesky/images/wxrebeta.jpg][/td][/tr][/table://http://hifi.avsim.net/activesky/ima...][/tr][/table

"Hype" and "Commenting on things that just aren't there..Excuse me?????-Damian[table border=0" cellspacing="30" cellpadding="0][tr][td align = "left"]Damian ClarkHiFi Simulation SoftwareDeveloper of ActiveSkyThe next-generation weather environment simulation for FS2002!http://hifi.avsim.net/activesky[/td][td]http://hifi.avsim.net/activesky/images/wxrebeta.jpg][/td][/tr][/table://http://hifi.avsim.net/activesky/ima...][/tr][/table

gwillmot,There definitely seems to be a difference to me, having used both programs. Have you copied over the FSUIPC.INI file that came with the program over to the modules folder? There is probably a simple solution to this, it's just a matter of finding out where the problem lies.

gwilmot I'm a x FSMETEO 5.2 users used it from 5.1...Besides all the features that FSMETEO doesn't have try as I'll have done, compare them on your system... (I'll guess you already did)Since I'll got both it's easy and fare to compare, and if I'll look now outside the window and to FS... Then it look quite the same.... with FSMETEO never had that experience :(As for the clouds o boy really far more realistic and then I'm not talking about the other great features...So I'm not going to argue with you gwilmot, about that you see no difference between the two...But in my case it's a whole other sky and I'm besides the fog fault really satisfied and awaiting for the winds aloft for Europe...For me it turns out after using and comparing it now for several days as a great software package :-)Anyway have fun flying with one of them and just enjoy this great hobby... because fun is here the most important factor. :-)Andr

I've not seen dynamic weather anywhere near as good as Active Sky wxRe's weather since the FS series has been in existence. Including TAFs in the Active Sky model was a great idea and substantially adds to the realism of flying in changing weather conditions without having to stay online. The cloud layering and precipitation and overcast visibility reductions make for a much more realistic flying environment. Personally, I feel this program represents a significant step forward in weather simulation.

Hey....good points.Remember, I bought it (and am happy) based on exactly what you have mentioned.I guess, in retrospect, I was mostly commenting on the "comments" that the "clouds looked better". It seems to me that this is a function of the bitmaps used more than anything else. I just couldn't see a technical reason why default clouds "looked better". No big deal.I sure don't want to tick you off, as I'm anxiously anticipating your future upgrade releases. I agree that you seem to be onto something that FSMeteo just can't provide.The "hype" comment was not directed at you or your product. You have been very forthcoming with what you said it would deliver.It was an observation on comments which provided no substantative "reason" (or screenshotss) for the term "better".Hey, no hard feelings! Remember, a personal observation is not always a negative observation. Was just looking for someone to "show me the money!".gwillmot

>gwillmot, >>There definitely seems to be a difference to me, having used >both programs. Have you copied over the FSUIPC.INI file that >came with the program over to the modules folder? There is >probably a simple solution to this, it's just a matter of >finding out where the problem lies. Could you be more specifice as to the "difference" that you observe?Really curious!I didn't copy over the FSUIP.ini file as I'm running the latest (well, until this morning when 2.95 came out) version.gwillmot

Most recent observation:I obtain framerates 2-3 fps BETTER when running ActiveSky wxRE as opposed to when I'm using FSMeteo under the same weather conditions.I assume that it's due to the greater efficiency in processing/displaying the weather data.Nice job!gwillmot

Thanks for you're comments.Glad you saw a dramatic difference.I had the wife do the "look at the screen", look out the window test.She couldn't see a difference between either ActiveSky wxRE and "you know who". Considering we're both getting up in years, maybe it's time for a new eyeglass prescription!The beat goes on........gwillmot

Your welcome gwillmot :-lol I'm going to ask my children to do the test...I'm sad for you that it didn't turn out to be what you expected of this software...For me I'm grateful for this software package and I'll believe when we are some version(s) further the software will be more mature...Have fun and happy flying :-)Andr