I received my email the other day, installed the monitoring software, and took a good look at what info MS was collecting (or lack there of). Their monitoring software is NOT looking for third party add-ons that might be integrating with FS, such as ActiveSky or a flight planner, or the so to be released FS Passenger. I also asked about the "other" use selection as most of my flying is not one of the choices. I emailed them inquiring about this and got the following reply:"Given the constraints of trying to look at what we could given what FS2004 was already recording (for the video replay stuff) we could not record more information without modifying FS2004 itself. Therefore, the logging program can record things like third party aircraft usage and the like, but not record things like ActiveSky. We figured getting some information is better than none, but I am working on ways to try and capture other patterns of usage. The major reason why I didn

Hi MK... what "exactly" are you talking about? What monitoring software?

A while back MS released a general usage survey to see how people were using FS. Some people were selected from this survey to participate in a more detailed survey in which you would install a progarm onto your computer which would log your activities in FS. At the end of each session, the log would be sent to MS and a short survey would appear for the user to complete. This way microsoft can collect more detailed information as to exactly how people were using their FS setups.Luckily I got selected to do the second survey (yay :)) but I have to first go install that logger.Ruahrc

Ahhh! Ok... thank you.

Thanks, MK, for investigating that and thanks for the tip. You may want to post this in the FS General Discussion Forum if you haven't already.

I am one of the lucky ones, but I have used the software only once.I think it dropped my framerates badly. I am willing to participate but not at the expense of a framerate drop.Anyone else have this problem?

Hi,I've had it installed a couple of days, ran several flights using ASV and LDS767, PMDG 737 and Dreamfleet 727 with no problems, no frame rate drop or any other glitches.Steve

I saw absolutely no change in sim performance after installing the MS logging software. If anyone is seeing a performance hit, I'd suggest they uninstall the software to see if it is indeed causing the performance problem. Then, if it is, I'd further suggest they email to the MS data survey team and let them know.

Thanks Noell,I did uninstall the software and it got me my framerates back.I will ask MS about this.

I also had problems with it - and oddly enough I also have spyware - I'm starting to question the authenticity of the software I was directed to. My PC is totally screwed up now - when I go to run MS Antispyware Activesky 5 setup starts to run - HUH?... Format time :'(

I received my email the other day and have been using the MS logging software with no problems or performance-hits. I'm glad to be part of the group, and I have been continuously putting in that I use ActiveSky and all add-on aircraft and scenery. If you look at the email that was sent to you, you will also find a link to a nice, lengthy survey that is available to take. It took me about 45 minutes to complete, but that is because there are lots of opportunities for inputs. I urge all testers to take the survey, as well as to keep completing the questionaire at the end of your FS session.ChuckC-130H Flight EngineerDyess AFB, TXAthlon XP 2800+ | ASUS A7N8X-E Deluxe | Antec TruePower 480 PS | 1.0 gig DDR PC2700 | WD 120 gig HD | WD 80 gig HD | Twin WD 160 gig SATA HDDs | SB Audigy 2 | ATI Radeon 9800Pro 128 | CH Products USB Yoke | CH Products USB Pedals | Nostromo n52 | Windows XP Pro SP2http://www.precisionmanuals.com/images/forum/ng_driver.jpg

I've been running the software for about two months now. No performance hit, no funny goings on, no problems. If asked to participate, I think you would be helping the community by doing so.Just MHO,VicVisit the Virtual Pilot's Centerwww.flightadventures.comhttp://www.hifisim.com/images/asv_proud_supporter.jpg

>I am one of the lucky ones, but I have used the software only>once.>I think it dropped my framerates badly. I am willing to>participate but not at the expense of a framerate drop.>>Anyone else have this problem?I know quite a few people usign this software, and not one of them has experienced any kind of frame rate problem. Sounds like you have something else not working correctly.

Bob, I am using the MS Survey code on my system along with ASV, PMDG 738, Radar Contact V4 beta code and I have no change in frames or any other performance issues. I have also updated to the new nVidia drivers, 77.72 and they do work just great also.Bob JohnsonDenver

Not to panic or alarm anybody, but did you see this topic:http://forums.avsim.net/dcboard.php?az=sho...id=262149&page=I have not applied for this survey. But as I've asked in the mentioned topic above, what will MS be doing with all this information?Damian, Jim, Chris: dare I ask for your opinion and feeling about such a survey? I do think it's a legimate and official MS survey. But I get a bad feeling for the future. More addons will probably be integrated in a better flightsim. But some FSaddon companies might go out of business due to that. Sure, all part of healthy economics. But I would not prefer a total flightsim monopoly by MS. Or is it just me having wrong thougths... :-sae