I will install the software this weekend too.The hesitation to use has nothing to do with fearing Microsoft.. Its fearing others. Just wanted to make sure..this e-mail was from Microsoft.I have this absolute aversion to adware.

There is a very simple answer. If you participated in the survey you were told up front that if you were selected to participate above and beyond the initial survey you would be asked to install software to monitor your FS usage. It was made quite clear.

I accidentally deleted the e-mail with the info. Oh well. I wrote to microsoft ([email protected]). Hopefully they can find my records and re-send the e-mail to me.

Hi,Yes, I also have installed the software and also sent the reports.I am also doing it so Microsoft can see how I use FS9 so the next version is more to our expectations.Stelios

OMG, I really forgot about this survey!After I read your post, I checked the e-mail account, which I use for corresponding with MS re. the survey and found out, that MS had allready sent me my UserID and the link to the downloads on friday, 17th June. I have not installed the files yet, but will probably do this tomorrow.Wolfgang

What evidence do any of you guys have that this will lead to an improvement of FS9? It's not like Microsoft doesn't know what users want fixed in next versions. Really, all you need to do is to read the forum for a week. ricardo

I can't believe the number of posts I read stating that in FS9, this needs improvement, that sucks, this should be changed, why doesn't MS do this and that and the other thing. Then what happens, MS takes the interest in getting actual data from people that use MSFS alot, and what do people say, " I'm not putting that on my PC, it's probably a plot to take over my life, I don't have time to install it, ... etc.. etc... " Cheez folks, grow up.. They are just trying to make FS better for all of us by looking at what we do with it and what kind of equipment we use... Give them a break :)

Hi,got the email, installed the software and I have just done a flight from Newcastle to Heathrow with PMDG 737.Everyting worked as advertised, no performance issues.If it helps improve any aspects of the simulator it has to be a good thing.Steve

In the forum you will get the most outspoken opinions by the most vocal members of the community. The current study follows a larger group but still it has only the most hardcore FSers (flightsim website/forum visiting) that opted in for the study. So the outcome of the study will give an insight in be the current use and future wishes of the general hardcore FS crowd.Also bear in mind that the monitoring program gives data on the actual use of the sim. So it will give data about how long the average FS session is, what plane is used and where in the world yo fly. Its one thing posting about those longhaul 3 hour flights using real weather, ATC and full AI traffic one might do once in a while but if 80% of your time is used doing circuits using clear weather, no ATC with no AI that will show through.Maybe some of the lesser used features can be left out of the future product so extra time can be spend on making the core functions beter. MS doing a study on the use of FS could mean they are building us a brand new FS and no FS 9.5

well said Bashar, nicly put indeed.

I wrote MS and guess what? They sent me the link again! Awesome! I'm psyched. I'm going to fly again tonight!

Hi all, I got my E-Mail a few days ago and I will definately install the software. I do want Microsoft to see how I fly, and hopefully accommodate my type of flying. MSFS is very therapeutic for me. I love to fly with realistic looking aircraft, superb scenery, and real weather ( I use ASV ). I want them to see I use Active Camera too, and much 3rd party software. Hopefully the next version of FS will take these areas into consideration more seriously. I want them to see that I NEVER fly the default aircraft (except perhaps the Lear), but prefer the superior aircraft designed by 3rd parties. I really want an excellent FS10 or whatever it's called. When the complaints start after the next release, I at least want to believe I provided some input into the final product.It's like "voting". If you don't vote, you really shouldn't complain too much afterwards. Although this is not exactly the same, I'm going to trust MS in that this is a legitimate information gathering experiment that concerns ONLY MSFS.

Greetings to the Chosen Ones,I haven't installed the tracking software yet (later today), but there's a post in the Active Sky section wherein (if I read it correctly) a Microsoft guy commented that the tracking does not actually record third party add-ons such as Active Sky, Radar Contact, etc. There are comment sections as part of the tracking to be filled out after a flight is over, and it is important to use those comments to record the add-ons being used, or MSFS won't know about them. I'm hopeful that MS pays great attention to the add-ons in the hope that they will incorporate many of those features in the next release. It's unfortunate that the tracking software cannot more easily track third party products, but for those participating in the survey, it sure seems important to take the time to let MSFS know what you are using. keith2W6