Following a link from the AVSIM homepage ......- " ...! The long awaited post... Thanks, God!! "- " WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I'm speechless! Keep that wonderful work up "- " WOOOOOOOOWWWWWW !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! "- " You guys are really, really good! I'm lubing up my credit card now. "- " Outstanding!! It sure will be hard to wait for this one! "- " This is going to be expensive...I can feel it. "- " This is great. Finally someone is going to do this airplane justice... "- " **** is really taking over FS add ons "- " Now this is the one I have been really waiting for. *** can kiss my left foot. LOL "- " I'm totally speechless. Thanks **** for giving us the modern -400 in this quality "- " It was at the tip of my tongue, fornuately one named it before me! "- " WOW **** Now this is awesome... truly awesome! "- " Yes, yes, yes, that's the one I'm waiting for!!! "- " Absolutely WOW!! You guys are really outdoing yourselves every time..."- " *DROOL* "- " It's AWESOME!!! **** is the best FS designers team seen ever! "- " Absolutely amazing work, it looks so damn real! "- " WOW - I can't wait for this 747; (Is the first image a photo?) "- " This has just made Christmas come twice in one year! "In case you're wondering ... This is just a collection of posted statements, based on a three-picture payware Product Announcement. Me, and a lot of other freeware designers, must be having the wrong Marketing Managers for our freeware stuff :-(And obviously, I've got a lot to learn on how to effectively run my freeware "business" :-)Rob Barendregt* A Proud Creator and Supporter of Freeware addon's *P.S.: Before you start flaming me: I have absolutely nothing against **** (or other payware addon suppliers).

First.Actually, only 2 of the three pictures were "sim" related. The first was a real photograph (just in case people can't tell the difference). I wish I could get such reactions from showing stuff.

I seem to remember the same quotes and exclamations when the freeware meljet 777 was released, as well as the posky 757 aad various other heavies.I think people don't get as excited as much over freeware as the quality of payware addons has increased and thus expectation levels as well, in both patware and freeware. With the PMDG 737 many think it is the best one to fly for FS at the moment from what I have read, so it is only natural for them to get excited when they announced there new model, expectations basd on a previous, successful product.Although you say you don't have anything against payware, I can't help but think from your post that you don't think favorably of it, why else the post and the sig line * A Proud Creator and Supporter of Freeware addon's *, not a flame, just an observation.I am a scenery designer with quite a bit to my name and I have recently started aircraft design (an AS355N) and I have put a lot of time into freeware design, so I understand what is involved and the amount of time involved. While I have a ton of respect for anyone that has contributed to this community, I have been spoiled and have come to want the most detail I can get when I fly. Most of what I have in my FS is payware and nothing without a detailed VC, just personal preference, yet there are some amazing freeware projects also that have gotten the same endorsments as the payware products. The Maule, Al Devins A109 package, the LIC bellanca Scout, Milton Shupe and team's work, etcJust my thoughts. Regards, MichaelKDFWhttp://www.calvirair.com/mcpics/PBTMCa.jpgCalVirAir International VACougar Mountain Helicopters & Aviation[link:www.cgrmthelos.com]Cougar Mountain Helicopters

>Most of what I have in my FS is>payware and nothing without a detailed VC, From seeing this said over and over on this and other forums, it seems like someone who can't make a plane without a detailed VC (which by the way, would require a gauge programmer, perhaps access to the real aircraft, or maybe they just don't have the time), shouldn't even try to make anything at all?

it seems like someone who can't make a plane without a detailed VC >>Then again strange people like me cannot be bothered with VC unless just to have an overview, but prefer high detailed, fully switched 2D panels.

""From seeing this said over and over on this and other forums,it seems like someone who can't make a plane without adetailed VC (which by the way, would require a gaugeprogrammer, perhaps access to the real aircraft, or maybe theyjust don't have the time), shouldn't even try to make anythingat all?""Depends on the reasons behind it, are you doing for your own personal satisfaction or for public adoration? As an example look at Miltons Aero Commanders, released with both a VC and no VC, the VC d/ls are more than double, almost triple the non VC ones. I think you hit the nail on the head though, a payware product usually is made up of az team, I don't know to many freeware authors that are experts at every aspect of design and this community doesn't see that, all they see is that the aircraft has horrible flight dyanmics, has no VC, the textures are awful, instead of realising that this could be the case.Regards, MichaelKDFWhttp://www.calvirair.com/mcpics/PBTMCa.jpgCalVirAir International VACougar Mountain Helicopters & Aviation[link:www.cgrmthelos.com]Cougar Mountain Helicopters

Well, it sure sounds as though you have some bias with regards to free versus pay. Quality payware companies like PMDG, Reality XP, Dreamfleet, etcetera, happen to have a customer base that they've pleased with add-ons that appeal to them, therefore, those customers become loyal and excited about new releases. Many people don't mind spending money on a whole package that includes sounds, realistic panel, exterior, virtual cabin, overhead, and more. I for one have no problem spending money on such a product as long as it works and meets the standards that it should. If one of the top quality developers (e.g., Flight One, DF, PMDG) made a full package MD-11, I would pay more than 60 USD for it. I tend to lean towards pay products simply because they offer more IMO. For example, the MD-11 is one of my favorite planes and IFDG made a perfect MD-11 for free, however, I'm looking at the panel most of the time, thus I want a perfect panel with real GPWS (female in the MD-11), real other sounds an overhead and more. That's just me. There are dozens of free aircraft that look as good or better than payware versions, but often nothing else to go with them. Now don't get me wrong, there are examples of freeware that deserve plenty of credit. PAI, KBOS Airport, GA aircraft with excellent panels and sounds, Repaints (textures), other scenery, and the list goes on. I just feel that when it comes to commercial airliners and other various projects that require actual C++ programming, the majority of those are going to be payware. The amount of time and work to create something from scratch is very difficult. I also know that freeware projects aren't always easy, but no one forces the author not to charge. I believe your pushback gauge (if that is you) has been installed in many PMDG 737's radio panel.Bottom line, everyone has a different philosophy on free versus pay products in this community, but for me it comes down to standards and quality. I've owned a few pay products that I thought should be free because they were complete garbage. I personally have no problem paying good money for a good product.Chris

The point of the announcement was to commemorate the first flight of the 747 35 years ago. Many people might have missed this.And your argument is somewhat unfounded. Simply visit the screenshot forum right now and experience the enthusiasm about the latest freeware Airbus release. So it's not just payware products that people are excited about.Sincerely,

Hello Marc,"Many people might have missed this"You are probably right. But as said, I was directed to this thread by the headline plus text on the AVSIM frontpage:PMDG Announces the 747 Project ... (which is probably not placed by PMDG)."And your argument is somewhat unfounded. Simply visit the screenshot forum right now and experience the enthusiasm about the latest freeware Airbus release. So it's not just payware products that people are excited about."I am NOT argueing the fact that people are very enhousiastic about a released product (either freeware OR payware); the product probably deserves that (including yours).What I AM amazed about, is the amount and type of responses (as indicated in my original post) your company gets in anticipation of a new product, based on a preview picture.Just wondering what your "secret" is ....:-)Regards, Rob

Hey Rob,The "secret" is :) , Most anyone that has purchased and flown the PMDG 737NG is absolutely thrilled with the detail, flight dynamics and overall quality of the aircraft. Also, a lot of folks like myself have purchased PMDG products since the old FLY days. The reputation of quality products and support of PMDG is second to none. Naturally, anytime they announce a new product or show previews, the PMDG "nuts" like myself go crazy. :)

Hi George,I'm glad to hear you say it's because of their good reputation, and not because of the free advertising they get with all you fans using these "Proud Supporter" signatures lately :-) :-)Cheers, Rob

Hi, Rob.You know they say, you don

Hey Avcomware,I don't believe anyone in this thread has attacked or downgraded freeware. I have several freeware packages and they are outstanding. Also, just because someone buys payware doesn't automatically make them anti freeware. Like I said, I have both and enjoy both. Your remark about the "topgun" video is way off base and doesn't even come close to reality. I buy high end add-on payware because I enjoy the compexity of it. The fact is that most freeware authors can't afford to put the time and manhours into a project that the payware authors can. This thread, as I saw it was a rather light hearted comment about the loyalty for some brands, not an attack on freeware.

>You know they say, you don

>It is my opinion that none of the pay ware, to date, is>necessary to make full use of any of the play sims available>to date. I also think that people that are buying most of>those products are doing so because they have no real>understanding of what Real value is added. They may be more>entertained by renting some top gun video tape. TVNot sure whether I am about to laugh or cry at the statements above. Believe it or not some of us buy 'some' payware only because there is no freeware that matches realism and 'value added' of those products. But this is probably beyond your comprehension. *:-*Michael J.