The NGX Confessional (from an FS9 devotee)

I refused to go to FSX when it came out about 6 years ago. I bought it, installed it, upgraded it and then promptly left it alone. I refused to go to FSX despite the amazing screen shots on AvSim. I refused to go to FSX when RealAir released their FSX Scout, Spitfire and Duke. I refused to go to FSX when PMDG had me Beta the MD-11- don't get me wrong, I loved the airplane, but as soon as it came out in FS9 I went right back to that version. There was nothing that I would allow to interfere with my mates, Steve, Paul and I, getting into 3 BA 747-436s and heading off to the far reaches of the globe. We all fly for British Airways Virtual, we all love the 747-436 and we all believe in operating that wonderful simulation from PMDG, as accurately as possible, following real world BA procedures. I was all set, convinced FSX was only for those who could afford to upgrade their hardware every 6 months and for those who could spend weeks battling the SimConnect monster. That, and the general aviation folks that were happy flying default aircraft. I'd occasionally load up FSX and fly the default Cessna around St. Maarten, switch between the stock camera views, and after a while go back to FS9. I was convinced that wouldn't change for the foreseeable future. Even PMDG's J-41 while brilliant, would not sway me from my fixation with FS9, bolstered by my fear of the unknown, rumors about Simconnect, and horror stories about FSX slide-show performance.Then something happened- I was apprised of the impending NGX Beta, and I was told it would only release in FSX. Suddenly, I needed to get FSX up and running. FSGS's setup from years ago proved to be brilliant (including ASX, UTX and worldwide mesh). I ran *******'s cfg tool, loaded up the J-41 and began the process of transition. Anyone looking at my system specs below, will immediately recognize that I am not running a Cray. If anything, compared to the 2500k/2600k processors and 32 bit OS' of today, I'm running a dinosaur. I installed all of Gary's UK2000 scenery (in FSX, as I loved it in FS9) and began the process of flying the J-41 and the MD-11F about the UK. I got WideFS running so that Pegasus and AS6.5 would run on my networked laptop and not bog down my FS computer. I figured out IVAO had another IVAP version for FSX and installed that, getting it running and mapping my PTT button so it would work. Exactly one day before the NGX beta arrived, I logged my first FSX online flight with BAV. I had tried this new (ironic isn't it) simulator platform, and realized that it would indeed work for me. My only issue was I fly only VC, and I missed Active Camera. All the "S" and "A" key presses coupled with Shift+ A had me tired. About that time Ryan pointed me to the EZDock camera software. Suddenly all the apprehension of VC flying with FSX camera views was gone. As long as I was thoughtful in my FSX settings, performance was not an issue. With EZDock I was set free! I was able to set viewpoints, map them to my hat switch, and look around like I was able to in FS9. With my 40" LCD my 6 DUs are 6.5 x 6.5 (the real ones are 8 x 8) and perfectly readable. I realized that with Ryan's step by step install guides for FSX and nVidia drivers on this forum and with *******' cfg tool- all the "FEAR" that FSX had attached to it, had proved to be groundless. I came to realize you do not have to have the latest and greatest computer to enjoy FSX (in fact, I'm happy enough with my performance, that I'm planning to wait on the next generation of CPUs). I realized that FSX was indeed a step forward- that it's flight physics and graphics were an improvement from what I had gotten use to in FS9.I share this with you all, because RSR has announced that the release is impending. If there are those reading this forum wistfully, telling themselves that they wish the NGX was also being released in FS9- my message is clear. Take the plunge! As long as you have remotely acceptable hardware, as long as you follow Ryan and *******' advice and as long as you make the effort to optimize your settings within FSX (to suit your hardware) FSX is not a hurdle. Take the days that remain to tweak your setup, get things figured out, prepare yourself- THE FUTURE OF FLIGHT-SIMULATION will make its world-wide debut soon- and you WILL NOT want to be left behind- she's exquisite. From a visual perspective, from a procedural view-point, from a technical vantage, accounting for flight dynamic fidelity and accuracy and microscopic attention to 737NG systems- PMDG's 737NGX will change everything we know about flight simulation today. Don't let FSX impede your journey into a heretofore unimaginable suspension of disbelief!