Geek, nerd, techno freek - you've all heard the terms before, right.So, given our close-knit community of flightsim crazed loons, how 'out' are you when it comes to telling others about your hobby ? Do you not tell them in fear that you might be thought of as odd, with anti-social tendancies - or are you upfront about it ? :-) 'Interesting' they say, but with some reservation....clearly. It seems to be okay though if you do, or have, flown for real though.Even though flightsim is edging closer to hi-fidility all the time, unless the 'uninitiated' actually know what you're talking about - I think they still find the whole thing somewhat odd.What's your experience of this ? Do you really think we are different from other gamers ?

No problem at all when I tell them that I use flightsim to enhance my real world flying :) I only get admiration ;) Or is it my good looks :+Rob "Holland&Holland" de Vries http://fool.exler.ru/sm/fly2.gif"To go up, pull the stick back. To go down, pull the stick back harder"

I have no problems telling anyone what I'm doing late at night,.... sitting in front of my computer,.... holding my joystick:-hah John M

>I have no problems telling anyone what I'm doing late at>night,.... sitting in front of my computer,.... holding my>joystick:-hah >>John MI use auto pilot;-) I tell people, friends at college, work. I work for Maplin electronics and most people there are PC fans too so its great having chats with them (especially the PC build guys!)I was once on a flight coming home from Tokyo to London. In my bag I had copy of PC Pilot and took it out to read, the guy next to me looked, and said "hey, I play flight sim too." the rest of the flight was talking about planes, tweaks, good flights etc. One of the best flights ive ever had!Dave

Flying a virtual plane on the computer is at least as silly as bashing elves and dwarves in WoW. I actually felt more "nerdy" running a gas-powered RC car up and down the street. ;)I have told many of my friends about my hobby and the reactions have been positive across the board when they discover the sheer amount of realism involved. What other "game" offers any degree of modularity and realism that is even close to a flightsim, like FS9/FSX? Pat

I think lots of people would be excited by Flight Simming if they tried flying the approach in to the old Hong Kong airport http://www.rcsimulations.com/hong2004.htmBest and Warm RegardsAdrian Wainer

>I have told many of my friends about my hobby and the>reactions have been positive across the board when they>discover the sheer amount of realism involved. What other>"game" offers any degree of modularity and realism that is>even close to a flightsim, like FS9/FSX? >>PatPACMAN?:( John M

No probs at all telling people. I've shown a few the PMDG744 manuals and most can't belive how complex this game can be - in comparison with blowing up monsters and things like that :-)

Actually it's only around real pilots that I may get a little squirmish. Most are very pleasantly accomodating of my armchair enthusiasm, but it's around the pros that I feel self concious :)Most other 'games' I look down upon with insufferable arrogance :-lolregards,Markhttp://www.dreamfleet2000.com/a320/custbanner2.jpgPC Power Silencer 470/3.2HT/2048mb/ATI X1950pro/SB Audigy

Before I mention I fly in a 'virtual world' I show them the extensive rangeof medication I'm on, they then seem only too 'willing' to view thegoings on.. *:-* .......:-lol

"Actually it's only around real pilots that I may get a little squirmish. Most are very pleasantly accomodating of my armchair enthusiasm, but it's around the pros that I feel self concious"---Actually, you probably make more money than he does, so he probably feels squirmish around you :-)

Still 100% in the closet. Locked. With torch.

As part of a job interview I was told I had 5 minutes to prepare a 15 minute lecture on a subject of my choice (the job involved a lot of public speaking). Guess what my subject was! They were inthralled(?) to hear about this hobby. And we are talking about government officials here.Oh,... and I got the job. :)ClutchProject 9 Dragons

>Actually it's only around real pilots that I may get a little>squirmish. Most are very pleasantly accomodating of my>armchair enthusiasm, but it's around the pros that I feel self>concious :)>>Most other 'games' I look down upon with insufferable>arrogance :-lol>>regards,>Mark>PC Power Silencer 470/3.2HT/2048mb/ATI X1950pro/SB AudigyMark's right. I would say most airline pilots think of us in a strange way. Can't explain it. They don't understand.Oh ya, to the origional poster, I'am not comming out of the closet.JimCYWG

I had a friend who after a few beers 'outed' me in front a real life 757 pilot. I had a long rage flight going at the time (sound down, monitor off). He expressed interest so I showed him the systems. He was very impressed and said he wanted to get into it so that he could practice his systems. I failed to tell him how many thousands of dollars I have spent to get the sim to look that realistic. I keep it to myself. Only people close to me know about it. I am going to keep it that way. It is hard to get people to understand your own passion. I have played golf but I don't get some people's obsession. To each his own.