>Well,..the easy way to remove this guy, is to tell some friends to >send him some nasty mails inorder for him to "pack his bags" and >dissapere. And woala...the market is wide open for a payware guy to >operate as he wants. :-(I don't really buy the payware conspiracy theory.A payware subscription service could have come in at any time and simply provided a better service for a fee.I think anyone who understands the market knows you will not be successfull with a payware Navdata subscription service. Up to date Navdata is simply not that important for Flight Simulation that more than a small handfull would pay for a subscription for regular updates.Its unfortunate this decision was prompted by a few bad apples. But I doubt Mr Stefan hadn't been feeling under-appreciated for quite some time before. The recent emails were probably just the straw that broke the camels back so to speak.Regards.Ernie.

Well said Glenn.Stefan was of those 'top ten guys' that made the hobby what it is today. The hobby will turn over many people, some just lose interest and move over to new things and some change their job, but to lose somebody of this caliber and importance to the hobby through the mindless and stupidity of mindless 'thugs' sickens me.I used to be the London chief at Vatsim UK and know just how many hours the hobby can take up. I had to give that up as my family life began to suffer - I can well imagine how Stefan feels, having to give up to get away from the negativity.Stefan, I give you my thanks for so much pleasure and appreciate without reservation, the time and energy you have given to all of us. I will keep my fingers croosed that you have a good break from the hobby and hope you can return at a later date.I echo the feeling above from another poster - I too feel like Concorde has been grouded all over again.Ray Keattch.

>>Oh cry me a RIVER!!! >>Richard announces that he's shutting down and you all come>here in the forums condemming the people that "caused" his>decision....because you're all so good and decent!>>But you know the REAL reason why Richard is closing down? Its>because of YOU. Yes all you good and decent folk that love>freeware so much. >>So a few people wrote him and condemned and complained about>his work. This is the real world. There will ALWAYS be people>like this. There's nothing that can be done about that. Its>part of everyday life. All of you encounter situations like>that on a regular basis.>>But, how many of you emailed him EVERY CYCLE thanking him for>his work? there's thousands of people registered over there.>How many tousands of email has he received showering him with>praises? >>Lets play the odds here: 5000 emails with praise. 10 emails>with childish comments and complaints. Do I shut down or do I>stay? What would you do?>>So yes people.....its not the "Jackasses" out there that>condemned him that's causing him to shut down. Its the>"Jackasses" out there that didn't write to thank him that's>causing him to shut down.>>Let this be a wake up call for all of you. STOP TAKING>FREEWARE FOR GRANTED. If you download a freeware airplane or a>scenery or a panel or even an AFCAD that you like then email>the author and THANK HIM. That's the way freeware authors get>paid....with praise. Commercial developers get paid with>money.....Freeware developers get paid with emails praising>and thanking them.>Listen, buddy: I have sent dozens of emails this year, thanking freeware authors for aircraft, scenery, panels etc.Freeware authors do NOT have to tolerate rude and malicious emails! There are ways to control and filter emails, and nobody should have to put up with crap from these people.http://album.atomic-systems.com/showPic.php/23664/moo.jpg

As far as the 'thank you' emails idea goes, yes, it'd be nice to receive a few, but you'd soon get a bit pee'd off with hundreds every day!! The decent developers know when their product is good and appreciated by the way it's ALWAYS talked-up and recommended across every forum site...after all, that's how I know of the reputation for Navdata, as I said in my earlier post. That is what will pay-back the developer, if everyone is doing the word-of-mouth thing across the internet he knows it's good! Of course a few personal 'thank you' notes are nice, and I have sent those too, but knowing that I spread good words about a product he's worked so hard to produce is surely more satisfying!

Sure that MIGHT be true for some people Anthony, but I have thanked Richard for his releases eachtime he posted the updates on the forums, and there were many others who did the same thing so I take great offence at your "Its because of YOU" statement, you can speak for yourself pal...[h4]Best Wishes,Randy J. Smithhttp://img.villagephotos.com/p/2003-5/196432/winglets_lg.jpg

An Open Letter for those Involved in Richards Decision To Close Just Curious as to how the New AIRAC Cycle is Coming along ?The Current Cycle-312 Expires Dec 24/03 So I Assume we will all be getting a Great New Christmas Present this yearI Only assume this because apparently if you feel it's your right to send Malicious and Non Supportive E-Mails to Freeware Developers Your So Much More capable of Making a Better product NO?Then Why Couldn't you have just done us all a favour And just SHUT UP !

i agree with your comments, i have only just started using navdata frequently just after the site was updated and is a useful resourse especially for updating airac files on fmc's i don't know of anybody else who does this kind of service to the sim community for free or payware come to that, richard stefan's site will be sorely missed and those ingrates that winged at something they were getting for nothing well i hope they're happy as they have spoiled it for everyone else, i wish richard stefan good luck and like thousands of other grateful simmers hope he reconsiders many thanks steve speak b a virtual pilot

uh.... it's open again. This post is months old.Andrew