This is just to advise downloaders that the package BANDW.ZIP is nothing to do with Mark Beaumont or Dave Bitzer, despite the fact that uploader Mr. Robert Hawk uses our names. No permission was sought to use our files, and in any case the download is badly flawed and our modifications for the four-tank ship (available separately in DC3_4TK.ZIP and DC3_4MX.ZIP) will not function correctly if you install Robert's files.The README, such as it is, also recommends that you overwrite your default files with this new package. Most of you will know that this is not accepted practice; in this particular case, doing so will adversely affect the correct operation of your default DC-3.I have asked Robert Hawk to remove the file, or at least to repackage it without Beaumont and Bitzer's names or work incorporated in it. I am a great supporter of freeware, and am not unrealistic enough to expect that we have any particular intellectual rights over freeware work uploaded to the Internet; but Dave and I work hard to deliver as professional a result as we can. It is disappointing to find our names and work used (or rather, not used, as files are missing) in this way.Sorry Robert, but you really need to lift your game.Mark "Dark Moment" Beaumonthttp://www.swiremariners.com/newlogo.jpg

Thanks Mark. I saw that file and then saw all the names and thought it sounded a bit odd for some reason.What's really bad is someone probably installed it and overwrote the files already, what a shame......get a rope!!! :-hang Regards, MichaelKDFWhttp://mysite.verizon.net/res052cd/mybannercva1.jpgCalVirAir International VACougar Mountain Helicopters & Aviation[link:www.cgrmthelos.com]Cougar Mountain Helicopters

hmmm, I downloaded and and intstalled it specifically because I saw your name on it, Mark. In my mind, it was kind of a "guarantee" of sorts. Haven't had a chance to fly it much as something came up. I did the overwrite, which I wouldn't have done had I known it was uploaded by someone I hadn't heard of. But hey, maybe it's his first upload, he didn't know the ropes, you'll get an apology, and everything will get set straight. Hope so, my first impression was that it was a nice looking panel...rgds,billg

<<<>>> I'm very flattered, thank you, but that's exactly what I was afraid of. Dang. The file has been removed now but not before you and 150 others downloaded it ... so I'm sorry to hear you did the overwrite.I don't know what he did to the flight dynamics in the AIRCRAFT.CFG .. probably nothing, but he changed the tanks to four tank configuration. However, he did not install our gauges or correctly configure the fuel selectors, so now you have an overweight four tank ship with only three tanks showing in the panel. You'll find your VC has disappeared and that you no longer have RPM and MP gauges in the 2D cockpit, both essential to a DC-3. Need I go on ...<<<>>>>It's not, no, he's done several. His previous DC-3 upload was 43MB (yes 43MB) of equally flawed files, I fear. The reason the upload was so large was that he reuploaded most of the default gauges and the original soundset. Unnecessary, but there ya go.We all learn by our mistakes, so hopefully he will too. I just don't want my name attached to his work in the meantime! I'm sorry you will now have to dig out your original DC-3 files to set things right. When it comes to panels, by the way, if you want something a little more user-friendly than the default try my DC3_PAN.ZIP and DC3_PAN2.ZIP. DC3_PAN3.ZIP will be out shortly which will add a few more goodies. Mark "Dark Moment" Beaumonthttp://www.swiremariners.com/newlogo.jpg

I am thrilled to say that I now have a reply from Mr. Robert Hawk to my polite note to him on this matter. It is not my usual practice to publish private emails in full in a public forum, but I can't resist on this occasion, wanting to give Mr. Hawk every chance to air his point of view. Here, therefore, is the complete text of his reply to me:"whatever....."Ah, now I'm a happy man .... anyway, Avsim have removed the file, which makes me happier.Mark "Dark Moment" Beaumonthttp://www.swiremariners.com/newlogo.jpg

From which we deduce the value of this `gentlemans` contributions to the community. Thanks for explaining things Mark, might have been too late for 150 visitors but it certainly saved me from starting from scratch with an already highly-modified DC3 setup. I would NOT have been happy, and I can now see that the contributions from this person should be ignored in future. Roll on MAAM-Sim!Allcott

THAT WAS HIS REPLY??!!!! I have seen this guys other files at FS.com as well, a B-17 among them (which probably isn't his either).It's people and attitudes like that, that are ruining this hobby more than anything. Since he obviously doesn't care about overwriting default files which is a no no and respecting others work, including default files for distibution also, I know to stay away from any package with that name on it. Regards, MichaelKDFWhttp://mysite.verizon.net/res052cd/mybannercva1.jpgCalVirAir International VACougar Mountain Helicopters & Aviation[link:www.cgrmthelos.com]Cougar Mountain Helicopters

I can't speak for any of his other files - and won't be, as I shan't be downloading any - but my guess is that Robert is an enthusiastic youngster who means well, but just needs to learn a bit more about development work and uploading stuff. And writing letters. Here's hoping.Mark "Dark Moment" Beaumonthttp://www.swiremariners.com/newlogo.jpg

LOL, wow that's great. What a community pillar this guy is.

Ha! There's more. I'm going to stop being nice about this guy, I think! I've just sent this to him:<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<"whatever ..."Impressive reply, Robert.I have since noticed that your "Air America" repaint at Avsim (texture_130881.zip) is simply my repaint, as packaged in my DC3PAINT.ZIP, uploaded in your name. Had you credited me, fine, but as you didn't, that makes you a pirate. Ho ho ho, me hearties. I shall be watching you carefully from now on. Please do NOT use my work in any of your uploads in future. Thank you.Mark Beaumont>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>I've also now spotted that he's used my work - uncredited - in his disastrous 43MB download chdc3.zip. Ah well, enough said.Mark "Dark Moment" Beaumonthttp://www.swiremariners.com/newlogo.jpg

EDIT: frikkin smiley }(>Ha! There's more. I'm going to stop being nice about this>guy, I think! I've just sent this to him:>><<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<>>"whatever ...">>Impressive reply, Robert.>>I have since noticed that your "Air America" repaint at Avsim>(texture_130881.zip) is simply my repaint, as packaged in my>DC3PAINT.ZIP, uploaded in your name. Had you credited me,>fine, but as you didn't, that makes you a pirate. Ho ho ho,>me hearties. >>I shall be watching you carefully from now on. Please do NOT>use my work in any of your uploads in future. Thank you.>>Mark Beaumont>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>I've also now spotted that he's used my work - uncredited - in>his disastrous 43MB download chdc3.zip. Ah well, enough>said.>>Mark "Dark Moment" Beaumont>oh glorious guru of the venerable DC3,this is just a little post to cheer you up a little.as you have done everything possible to prevent disaster.i'm impressed.no-one can blame you for the fact some people on this planet are presumably cows,that when created had their front legs lifted from the earth,so as to create room for creating grass,and someone(you listening My Lord?....not that i blame You...i make more mistakes in a minute then You'll make in a lifetime ;-) )simply forgot to put them front legs back on the ground again.only one thing to do now: once again,"Enlightened Moment",you've enlightened my simming world.thank you.sincerely,(boy i wish i could sign with some fancy name,like err...Clarence von Schmittelhoven III,or err...Jean Claude van Damm..oops error ;-)ehm...Graf von Greiffenberg,or maybe "The Duke"...hmmm...ah wel,this does nicely,weird name for a weird guy.

Ok, looks like it is time to ask Tom (AVSIM) about implementing an uploaders rating system. That way we can check a developers rating and decide whether we want to download their stuff or not.Obviously, there is way too much room for abuse with this but who knows maybe it will work out.Tom? Anyway?TIA...Good work, Mark.Jim

Hi Jim<<<<>>>>I think that one has been suggested before, Jim, but discarded because of the possibility (and, I fear, likelihood with some people) of personal vendettas clouding the truth. It would be all to easy to knock a developer's work just because he'd upset you or the like, and there are people who would do that, unfortunately. Conversely, a strong peer support team could propel a very shabby producer to stardom. And then none of us would know what's good or bad. My own "Rules of the Download" are:1. If it's bundled with a whole bunch of names under it, it's probably just a repackaging of what you'll have already.2. If it's a massive file and isn't from one of the well-known names, it's probably suspect. New faces appear, sure, but rarely.3. If the README is short, don't trust it!4. If the 'author' recommends overwriting ANYTHING that's default without suggesting backup, simply bin the package. He's an amateur.Thank heavens for Avsim's Zip Dive! I use that all the time.Tally ho! On to greater things ...Mark "Dark Moment" Beaumonthttp://www.swiremariners.com/newlogo.jpg

Guess we should all keep an eye out for the name "Robert Hawk." This is his third upload that's defective, stolen, or both. He's also the one who posted the link to the Windows XP Optimizer that screwed up a lot of peoples computers.David

As recently as December I/we went through a similar exercise over his ripping off and repackaging the entire gmax P51 Mustang "Reno Racer" package I worked on with Roger Dial. I don't find being told to get f..ked and entertaining threats of physical violence when raising copyright violations either enlightened or endearing and it seems pretty clear Hawk has no respect for anyone or their rights. He also clearly fails to read the bold face copyright notices he has to acknowledge when uploading files to file libraries. Look, we all make mistakes and none of us are perfect but most of us manage to learn something from them. I also don't think that abusing and threatening the victims as Hawk has done with both Mark and I is acceptable. http://www.fsd-international.com/team/Steve_signature.gif