Well, I don't know even where to begin. I guess this post will turn into a major venting on my part, so if you don't want to hear it, bail now.I downloaded FSHS back in March, and was impressed enough to buy the product outright, after a few shots with the demo. There were a few snags and hickups with the program, but nothing that was show-stopping in my opinion. All in all an entertaining addition to simming.As with most sofware we simmers use, there were subsequent patches, containing various fixes, etc., released after I purchased, that for some reason, whatever it might be, wreaked havoc on my FS world, turning it into a mega-stuttering mess anytime FSHS was run. This is an issue that was never resolved, but it is not why I post this today. It is what has happened in the last 24hrs, 5 months after I stopped using a product that I payed for in full, that loosened my lips. Back in March, I initially made SEVERAL attempts to contact the developer of FSHS by e-mail, to discuss the issues I was having, and hopefully shed some light on what trouble I was having. Not a single one was ever answered. After recieving no response by e-mail, I finally turned to the FSHS forums in hopes that a more public posting of the problems I was having might draw some attention. It did, sort of, and an answer was finally given for ONE of the issues I was having, but not before my patience had run out. I wrote the product off as a loss (I had payed the $35 for it mind you) more out of sheer frustration than anything, but whether that frustration is justified in YOUR opinion is up to YOU. Now at this point, I freely admit that I may have been a little impatient, and I also invite you to visit the FSHS forums and decide for yourself, should you so choose. The topic is titled "Runways...".But wait.....there are TWO topics with the same name....hmmm....here's why:I read on the front page yesterday here about the FS9 update to FSHS, and I must admit curiosity got the better of me. I long ago deleted my copy of the program, so I redownloaded the demo version along with the new FS9 upgrade as well. I figured what the hell, let's see how it runs on my new FS9 box. After 5 or 6 tries to run it all ending in fatal errors in "util.dll", I decided, and I swear at this point my only intention was to find out if anyone else was having the same issues, to check out the FSHS forums, which I hadn't visited in months. There were a few new responses to the old thread I'd started, some actually fairly recent, and after reading them, I felt obliged to respond. So I made the second "Runways..." thread. What's most interesting about this thread is the response from FSHS or "Admin". Among other things, blatant lies about the number of mails I sent, then an attempt to humiliate me by posting the contents of my second-to-last e-mail IN THE THREAD, of course the ONLY mail I sent them where my anger had gotten the better of me, for which I must say I regret, and to top it off, as impatient and ornery as I may have been, I as a paying customer have had my registered name blocked from their forums. If I was out of line or too impatient, I apologize, but I NEVER said a bad word about FSHS outside of that forum, and I most certainly never LIED about the product, and I would never publicly post an e-mail sent in confidence by anyone. I don't even know if that's legal. To the point, this is not an attempt to slander FSHS, only to share what MY experience with them was, and I decided to post here because of the generally intelligent and level-headed responses from like people. And because I needed to get it out, LOL. If you made it this far I'm sorry, thanks for listening, please tell me if you think I'm way off on this or something.

Caveate Emptor (I know that is not spelled right). I am glad for your post, because I do not like losing my temper and if I buy something I expect support. A lot of companies these days make me wish I worked for the Post Office!

A well worded post and a good heads up for those interested in the product, you can never have enough research into a purchase in my mind.Sorry for your situation, I too get angry with the support (or lack of) with internet vendors at times!Regards, Michaelhttp://mysite.verizon.net/res052cd/mybannercva1.jpgCalVirAir International VAwww.calvirair.comCougar Mountain Helicopters & Aviationwww.cgrmtnhelos.com

Yep buddy I know what you are talking about. As I go read through all of the things that are being developed for flight simulator, very few are freeware. I do know of this particular item because I have the demo and I love it. I don't purchase to many items because of past bad experiences with the quality of work. I purchase a lot of Lago stuff and a couple of dreamfleet items. I don't think that you are out of line, when it comes to money, you have a right to express your frustrations. I did'nt buy the full version because I just use the demo when I want to have a little fun. Hope things get o.k. for you, S.

Hi Brian,I went and read both "runway" posts and respectfully I think you are in the wrong on this one.I believe you have been too impatient and too demanding and possibly quite rude. Now before you flame me let me say that I also have been fustrated with software developers at times and come across stronger than intended.Hope you can accept my point of view in the spirit that it is intended.

ozhero...I completely respect your opinion, and as I stated in my initial post, I admit to have maybe jumped the gun with my protests. In my defense, I did not carry those statements elsewhere until now, and do not deny being a bit impatient, and I guess a bit rude as well. I do regret those actions. I even have to admit that the initial problem I posted about may have been solved earlier if I'd have supplied the requested information sooner than I did.On the other hand, I do not think my poor handling of the situation denotes outright lies, etc., by the FSHS development staff, and this is the ONLY cause of my posting this here in this forum. I want to make this as clear as I can. It is not the product itself, I actually enjoyed using it at first, and whatever incompatibility issues I had are most positively system specific. THE POINT: I did not tell lies about, attempt to slander or defame, or refuse contact to FSHS support at any time, but, in my opinion of the last post by them, this is what they have done to me. I do not expect anything to be done and will no longer pursue tha matter with them, I just needed to get this last chapter of my dealings with them off my chest. I definitely appreciate everyone's response, and your mileage may vary.

Hi Brian,I wish you closure on this now and thank you for a mature response to my post.In the words of that famous Vulcan "Live long and prosper"

There is a saying that you can't catch flies with vinegar. Well this is quite true. Rudeness will only get you more fustrated because the developer will most likely be less inclined to deal with a rude customer than a polite customer.However, having said that, the word CUSTOMER is the important word here. When someone goes into business, they have the right to HOPE that all their customers will be polite but they would be NAIVE to expect that will be always true. Therefore they should EXPECT that they will be dealing at some point with rude customers. The thing is that someone who is artful can turn a rude customer into a cute little kitten. So although it is not nice to be rude, rudeness is no reason for a developer to slander or refuse to help a customer. Especially those developers that release unfinished and buggy software and expect customers to become paying beta testers. A lot of customers are willing to be paying beta testers and the developers should be thankful for that. Obviously, given the fact that the software is buggy, at some point someone will become rude and frustrated. The developer should be sympathetic.....not slanderous. Blocking a customer from use of your support forum.......well that's just outright wrong. And RUDE as well.

Brian,It's not often you find someone willing to admit their mistakes, and be humble about it.Although FSHOTSEAT never interested me AT ALL, you bringing this to light will prevent me from even allowing me to peruse thier site. It's just plain wrong to Block and ban a PAYING CUSTOMER. Despite rudeness or as you said a moment of anger on your part.I always thought one of the purposes of going into business, whether it be one product or many, was to gain customers, reel them in you might say. Giving good service, respecting their customerts, so that the "Word of mouth advertising" would bring them the business they need. Thus they get the profit they were looking for after working on their product.Only handful of developers these days actually go out of their way to support their clients, and I mean to say clients, because most of the time they are repeat buyers, or repeatedly use their services.As an IT Consultant I face many times, client who are frustrated and become rude and uncooperative. The key is for me to remain calm, and step back, analyse the situation and appease my client, in a way to benefit both the client and myself.Anyway this is long enough, I am sorry for what happened Brian. We all learn from our mistakes aye!!?

http://www.forefrontgrp.com/jayssigsmall.jpg"There is an art . . . to flying. The knack lies in learning how to throw yourself at the ground and miss!"