Software update annoyance in the FlightSim world

[PaulFWatts]

Coming from a very long background in software development and IT I've found it is very rare to buy software these days that does not have some form of automated updater to save chasing down the latest versions or patches to the product. This is true even for most open source software which is free. Just think the Apple App Store (both Mac and iOS) and Visual Studio Code (which is open source freeware) for examples of what I am describing in terms of totally seamless, efficient, software upgrades. While these are big companies that produce these products I also have lots of software from 1 person developers that automatically detect that updates are required and download and install the update. There is not one example I can think of for software that I own (outside of the FlightSimWorld) that doesn't do this.

However in the FlightSim world I often have to chase down updates and patches to the various products I have bought with many times having to re-download the product often with no visible indication that it is a new version of the product. This is especially true for many of the airports I have bought plus a number of planes and utilities. I can name 2 companies that immediately come to mind that I have spent upwards of $1K each over the last few years but do not want to "name and shame". It is always a frustrating and time consuming process to locate and update software from these companies.

While I exclusively use P3D these days alas this is also a download and uninstall/reinstall rather than an integrated updater and you have to monitor forum postings to see if the latest version is out. Albeit you can choose to do a partial uninstall and reinstall. However as this doesn't occur often and is well advertised when it occurs I can live with it but wish they had something similar to X-Plane to automatically apply patch and bug fix updates. I'm just starting to get more into X-Plane but have a lot of money invested in P3D (and still greatly enjoy it) so will probably use both in the future.

I understand when a major new version of the software is released it will sometime necessitate an uninstall and reinstall but at least the inbuilt updater should advise you of this and make the process as painless as possible. Incremental patches and bug fixes should be handled by the updater rather than having to search for them, download and then uninstall/reinstall.

Of course there are many developers who do have integrated or stand alone updaters with their products including PMDG, TFDI, A2A, ORBX, REX, HiFiSimTech, X-Plane, FSDreamTeam, Flight Beam Studios, and many others. Some of these are better than others in terms of the ease of updating with ORBX hands down the best in terms of purchase to install and subsequent updates with their FTX Central (in my opinion). In fact they make it too easy to buy 🙂 and I own almost every ORBX product. Many of the others also have excellent updating systems that make it painless and efficient to update.

I have invested a lot of money in 3rd party P3D planes, airports and utilities over the years and for some months now I have vowed to not buy any product that is going to require me to chase down websites and original order/purchase history, monitor forums for updates and require me to re-download the original purchase (hoping it's the upgraded version) to get updates to my products. In other words no updater (preferably integrated but at least stand alone) with the product no purchase. It takes up too much time and often involves arcane processes to obtain and install the update.

Will be interested to hear your views on this and if I am expecting too much for my hard earned dollars 🙂

 

 

[Woozie]

Yeah its something that annoys me too, really difficult to keep track of updates once you have a high number of addons installed. Most standalone addons ike Aivlasoft EFB, Pro ATC/X, etc have a built in update check on launch, and some use a centralized addon manager like ORBX, but its still a chore to ensure that the sim environment is up to date. 

One of the worst offenders is Aerosoft, they keep posting hotfixes on their forum and its up to you to discover them all and install in the correct order. It sometimes takes them months to put all those small hotfixes for a certain scenery into a proper update installer (if ever). 

One thing that would have the potential to mitigate our woes is "Simstall" currently developed by Mettar Simulations which is supposed to become the "steam platform of the flight sim world", a one stop addon shop with integrated auto updates, but i highly doubt that they will manage to get the big players like ORBX, PMDG or Aerosoft onboard, so this may be DOA before it even launches. 

 

 

[pracines]

I agree Paul, add-on management in some cases can be a chore. However, if this became "too automated" then some or all of us may call foul ("big brother").   

I have developed a system/checklist (before I even start planning a flight) that involves what you're saying. In checking every addon for updates, some have check for updates buttons, others have forum posts, some send out emails, others are auto updated, some do a combination. I have bookmarks to several "news announcements" forums and those are the tricky ones that can become annoying, where no announcement is made there, but rather in an obscure post in response to a specific question 🤮. There are times when it seems a few developers expect us to have ESP or spend hours scouring every forum post.🤢  

Also, every time a new AIRAC is released, I have several add-ons that need to be tended to taking about an hour, but at least I know my flight sim world navdata is up to date.🤩

All in all, yes at times it can be annoying, but the results and the flights are worth it.

I find that flying in older versions of MSFS with the dated textures and snow balls for clouds gives me the perspective I need at times....we really have it quite good, and looking forward to better and better.    

[SmokeDiddy]

I feel your pain.  One of my biggest complaints about P3D is LMs donkey way of rolling out updates.  Obviously, if a user is given a choice of well, you can install this one and this one, and no need to install that one, the chances of getting it wrong is very high.  Then one has to worry about whether or not their add-on stiuff will be removed, overwritten when updating.  I think LM can do a better job on P3D updates (IMO).  Updates in this day and age should be somewhat automated.  LR has it right in regards to updates to XP.

As far as  3rd party add-ons, yeah, it is very time consuming to seek out updated installers and fixes.  I love the ORBX model with FTX Central.  I do confess though, that if I want an add-on, I buy it without regard to how it is updated.  I suppose I do suffer when it comes to updating my add-ons and I agree some developers can do a much better job with how it is done.  You also better be good at record keeping electronic files of your purchases.

So, I agree with your assessment, but again if there is an add-on I want or need, I go get it and give no other thought about it.

[kiek]

A minor problem in my opinion. Do note that there are also people that hate automatic updates, see the long threads about how Windows 10 does that job 😉

[costamesa]

20 minutes ago, kiek said:

A minor problem in my opinion. Do note that there are also people that hate automatic updates, see the long threads about how Windows 10 does that job 😉

He is not talking about an automated update process I guess, but more like an automated way of letting people know that there is an update released.

[PaulFWatts]

41 minutes ago, costamesa said:

He is not talking about an automated update process I guess, but more like an automated way of letting people know that there is an update released.

That is correct @costamesa

Never want it “out of sight” automated.

Just the ability to:

1. Be notified an update is available

2. Allow you to push the button to download and install the update (without you having to go to a website and search for the update)

It’s not a minor problem when you have a LOT of add-ons as others have noted.

 

 

[kiek]

3 hours ago, costamesa said:

He is not talking about an automated update process I guess, but more like an automated way of letting people know that there is an update released.

??? I did not say that in my post...But that's indeed the way I am doing it with my soft ware.