Anyone take the survey yet?JimCYWG

I put my 2cents in... :-beerchug

Yes I did.Interesting questions, I would have worded a couple of them differently, but it was ok.Regards,JoeGrab My FREEWARE Voice recognition Profiles here:[a href=http://library.avsim.net/esearch.php?CatID=fs2004misc&DLID=58334]Cessna 172 Voice Profile[/a][a href=http://library.avsim.net/esearch.php?CatID=fs2004misc&DLID=60740]FSD Avanti Voice Profile[/a].You will need the main FREEWARE Flight Assistant program to use it, get it here:[a href=http://library.avsim.net/esearch.php?CatID=genutils&DLID=39661]Flight Assistant 2.2[/a]

I did too. I asked myself why they want to know whether I like hanggliding... And I would have expected more questions about on line flying.Herrie

I did - and am now asking myself "is this really a survey from Microsoft?" For a survey that collects some personal information and THEN maybe a bit later gives an invitation to install 'data collecting' software, it leaves me highly suspicious. I see NO proof that this is a survey originating from Microsoft. The only hint that this survey is from Microsoft is in the statement on the front page at Avsim - and even then there is nothing posted to prove the same. I think reassurrance and some clarification is required here.The survey link points to a url that belongs to a company specialising in Online Surveys and Research. I found NO mention of the survey on Microsofts Flight Simulator websites - strange?? one would have thought that would be a good starting place to bring to the attention of users of Flight Simulator 2004 that a survey is out and they are seeking input. Microsoft always tells you to look on the website for up-todate information!For those thinking about filling out the survey, tread on the better side of caution when considering providing your personal details.Dave

I completely agree with Dave. There is no reference to this survey anywhere else and there is the added security issue of the site installing data gathering software on individuals PCs. There is a real issue here - the fact that it has appeared on AVSIMs front page gives an impression that it is completely above board and legitimate and could sucker in less suspicious individuals to agree to downloading the information gathering software. My concern here is that someone may have latched onto the idea that there is a massive amount of interest in the next issue of FS and sees this as a way to gather personal information by installing data gathering software across a wide spectrum of PCs.The information could just as easily be gathered by just posting a standard survey on the site for us to fill in without any issues of downloading snooping software.I may be getting paranoid but, these days, you must be careful. Here in the UK we have issues with personal data theft - so much so that we have an TV advertisement highlighting data theft.Tom, if you see this could AVSIM verify that this is a legitimate survey on behalf of Microsoft? Kev

Well, actually I missed the usually dominant presence of Microsoft in the survey too but I found that rather comfortable. Nevertheless, you are right, I think that MS should have presented itself more clearly in the introduction. But the only important personal detail they got from me is my email adress.Taking the survey does not mean that I would install this 'spyware' without any further questions though.Herrie

The data gathered could well be internal performance data about FS itself.Such data can not be relibly gathered by asking people to type in some numbers on a website.fps numbers are meaningless without context and Microsoft knows this better than most people.I can get 100+ fps on my machine in some aircraft in some areas in some weather but that same machine might get 10 fps under completely different conditions.

Dave,Please see Tom Allensworth's response to a concern similar to yours in the other "Survey" post he started in this forum yesterday. His answer is on page two of that thread. If you still believe this survey was not commissioned by Microsoft well then you must be calling Tom's character into question.Why can't this just be a simple survey Microsoft has implemented to try and gather information that just might make this simulator you spend hours enjoying better at the next release. Why all the conspiracy issues? My goodness folks, this is a $50.00 piece of software!DougDell XPS Gen3 (3.6GHz/800FSB)2GB DDR SDRAM74GB SATA, 10k RPM (C: ) & 120GB SATA (D: )256MB ATI Radeon X800 XT (Catalyst 5.1)Audigy 2 ZS Sound (latest drivers)MS Force Feedback 2WindowsXP Pro (SP2)DirectX 9.0c

Doug,You need to chill - this is a potential serious issue and I think we all have the right to question. Nobody is casting any doubts on Tom's character - in fact there is nothing written in this thread that says so. All that is being said is that individuals should be cautious about allowing outside access to their PCs and we would just like peace of mind. As an aside, I've seen the other thread with Tom's assurance on it but the thread was a lot further down the system and therefore is not read before this one - hence its probable that people are replying to this thread - certainly true in my case.Again, nobody is casting any doubt on Tom's character and I see in the thread further down that Tom gives an assurance that the message from MS is genuine.Kev

As I stated earlier, this is a legitimate survey by Microsoft. It's been in the works for a month or two.

Yes, I checked today's date, and since it is not April 1st yet :-) , I took part in the survey.Wolfgang

Kev,I don't deny that we need to take issues regarding the sharing of PC data quite seriously but I believe Tom feels the same way. I would never expect he'd ever allow a survey to be linked to his site that he thought was questionable. And yes, it's quite possible some in this thread did not see his comments in the other thread.Your comments are accepted and I'm chilling :) Nuf said... case closed!DougDell XPS Gen3 (3.6GHz/800FSB)2GB DDR SDRAM74GB SATA, 10k RPM (C: ) & 120GB SATA (D: )256MB ATI Radeon X800 XT (Catalyst 5.1)Audigy 2 ZS Sound (latest drivers)MS Force Feedback 2WindowsXP Pro (SP2)DirectX 9.0c

Good point! Should have checked the date before putting my in my 2 cents worth. The spyware stuff if they ask you to participate in stage 2 gave me some concern but I saw no harm and probably some good in doing the survey. I guess this puts to rest any lingering concerns as to whether there will be another version of MSFS but whether it will still be PC based remains a concern.Bruceb

The site is so bogged down its impossible to get to it now.