I'm so satisfied with FS9 that I've decided to skip the next version of MSFS. FS2k2 is a distant memory to me now, all my favorite 'craft have been upgraded to FS9 (in one way or another). I expect to be investing in many new addons for FS9, and I just don't expect that they're gonna work in the next version of FS (will it be 'FS-X',or 'Xtreme-FS' ? ). FS9 has reached a point of being "good enough" for me. Good dynamic weather (especially with addon generators), very high quality aircraft available, and a rising tide of VFR photo based scenery, are making it worthwhile to hold on to, and invest in this sim for years to come. FS-X will have to be something _REALY_ special to change my mind on this...there goes another US$0.02,

I've been thinking the same thing myself, especially if Radar Contact 4, when it's released, achieves the level of interaction with and control of the AI traffic that I'm hoping for. As I mentioned before, the most nagging of FS9's flaws--the only one that, to me, keeps it out of the TOTAL MASTERPIECE category--is the shortcomings of its ATC engine. I read of a rumor on one of the forums (it may have been this one) that the next version of FS will only be compatable with Microsoft's next version of Windows, and that even a 3.0 GHz computer will not be sufficient to fully utilize its features. I realize that rumors, especially pre-new FS version rumors are a dime a dozen, and I wouldbe pretty astonished if Microsoft would impose such drastic and alienating requirements on us loyal flightsimmers--unless the version in question does everything but serve you inflight meals! But given all the time, effort, and money that I, like you and many others have invested in FS9, in terms buying new hardware or even new PCs, of troubleshooting CTDs and other bugs, transfering sceneries and aircraft, tweaking the FS.cfg file, finding and loading new video drivers, etc., etc., the next version will have to basically walk on water--otherwise I too, will be strongly inclined to skip it. Once the ATC engine's flaws are reasonably mitigated/resolved (and I realize that a TOTAL replication of real ATC operations on a PC will probably not be feasible for quite a while) I personally won't want for anything else from a flight simulator program for quite some time.:-yellow1

I support Microsoft for FS9, *not* for its criminal practices. A sad truth that in order to get the most out of simming I have to use a criminal companys OS, and there sim. Sigh, doubt you wanted this kinda post ;)

>>I read of a rumor on one of the forums (it may have been this one) that the next version of FS will only be compatable with Microsoft's next version of Windows, and that even a 3.0 GHz computer will not be sufficient to fully utilize its features. ... I wouldbe pretty astonished if Microsoft would impose such drastic and alienating requirements on us loyal flightsimmersThe problem is that even the current verion of FS is really pushing the limits of mainstream computers. In order to be able to give us any more features, I wouldn't be surprised if they do have to require pretty close to state-of-the-art hardware.I have a feeling that the infamous CTD problems of FS2004 are related to pushing the envelope of what the hardware is capable of.I installed FS2004 and it was fine till the calender turned. Now it CTD's all the time, to such an extent that I had t goback to FS2002. My suspicion is that the winter textures need more resources than the summer ones, causing the crashes.Richard

I am perfectly happy with FS2004. I have moderate specs on my machine P4 2.0, 512 DDR and a low end video card FX5200. It works great. It has only crashed once since I got it the week it was released and that was from something I did, not the program.Jim Burke

Hi, FS9 is working very well for me, NO CTD. The best Fs way much better than fs2002. At fs2002 release, I got alot of CTD at that time.BestEric

Hi, deleted FS2002, Installing FS9, I haven't looked back not one sec and no CTD.ThanksChris Willis[link:fsw.simflight.com/FSWMenuFsSim.html]Clouds And Addons For MsFs

>A sad truth that in order to get the most out of>simming I have to use a criminal companys OS, and there sim.>Sigh, doubt you wanted this kinda post ;)Well, it's a riduculous comment to make and I sincerely hope that nobody bothers to take you up on it - not even the MS legal boys.David

>>A sad truth that in order to get the most out of>>simming I have to use a criminal companys OS, and there sim.>>Sigh, doubt you wanted this kinda post ;)>>Well, it's a riduculous comment to make and I sincerely hope>that nobody bothers to take you up on it - not even the MS>legal boys.>>DavidSure, 'ridiculous'. Uh-huh, thats the word I use to describe Microsoft :)

Very few CTD's with my old Athlon & were always related to drivers. Still NO CTD's with my laptop (P4 2.8)L.Adamson

I love it. I've had no major problems that's attributable to the sim itself. In other words, since I only use a mid-range computer, I don't expect fluidity when it comes to high-detail scenery.

Another day, another year, and still loving my FS04.

I just got FS2004 for Xmas and I absolutely love it. I have been flying MSFS since FS5.0 and this is about what I have always dreamed MSFS could be. Fortunately I have not had any problems running mine and I am getting around 10-20fps (locked at 20), so I am just able to enjoy it, and boy am I loving it! just wish i had more ram.GabrielIntel celeron 2.6ghzIntegrated Intel video card256mb DDR SDRAM80gb hard driveCH Flight Sim Yoke (USB)CH Rudder Pedals (USB)

Yes, I'm very satisfied with FS9. I am astonished at how much more efficient the game engine in this product is compared to earlier versions. Totally stable, no crashes, no nothing. It just works and works properly. A great achievement by the Microsoft team. The only reason I kept my copy of FS2002 was so that I could legally use the old seasons.bgl file from it (for some bizarre reason MS seemed to think Australia is Summer all year round if you use the stock FS2004 seasons.bgl file).

Yikes, looks like the silent majority speaketh!I love FS9. Been simming since FS2(C64) and I am amazed everytime a new version of the sim comes out, except for one.THis has got to be their best offering.Thanks Microsoft!!!