FWIW, my wife just purchased, in advance, FSX-Deluxe at my local EB-Games store in our local mall. All I have to do on the day of release is walk-in and show my ID to pickup the game. I knew there was a reason I married her, LOL. BTW, you can reserve a copy without yet purchasing it as well. EB-Games is currently advertising Oct. 17, but obviously that could change.The reason I am sharing this with you is, if you are inpatient (like me) and want to load FSX on the day of release, don't buy it online. You will more than likely still be waiting for your copy to arrive in the mail while people who purchased it via a retail outlets such EB-Games, GameStop, or Babbbages will already be enjoying it that day. I see it with every release, guys whining because their copy hasn't arrived yet because of the 1 to 3 days shipping lag time. It is my opinion that although I paid full retail price, these stores always have the new version of Flightsim on the day of release as long as you reserved a copy. I have used this method since FS98 and it hasn't failed me yet. I don't know how true this is for rural USA markets and probably not true at all outside the USA (I feel for you guys) but I just wanted to share my personal experiance with you.Regards,

I was offered a preorder deal by PC Aviator. For the price of the deluxe version they'll throw in a six month subscription to Computer Pilot magazine, some fancy new defrag program, and a $60 purchase voucher valid for 12 months. I've already been waiting nearly 8 months, so with an offer like that I'm not going to quibble about another 3 or 4 days.Needless to say, I went for the deal.Mike.

Understood and nobody can argue with your decision. FWIW, I've had a Computer Pilot magazine subscription for a year and half now, and thoroughly enjoy it. Stuff in there for all levels of FS fanatics and newbies as well. You won't be disapointed...

Well,they gave me the same deal but for reasons explained elswhere on this forum I will not be taking up the offer as FSX will an effective downgrade until my most of my numerous FS9 addons are supported. When I upgraded from FS2K2 to FS9 nearly three years ago about the only thing I missed from FS2k2 was the PIC 767 but it is a very different story this time.Bruceb

Provantage has a pretty good price except shipping kills it :(I think I would take your option first if EB is close by..http://www.provantage.com/microsoft-9am-00014~7MSXG03J.htm

My sense of the whole cyclic nature of FS is that it is not unlike the maintenance of a car. I've never known a car that didn't need quite a lot of money thrown in its direction pretty much from beginning to end.I look at FS in a similar vein. Right from the get go I expect to have to feed my fascination with it with a continuous stream of cash. Not too much to break the bank mind you, but enough to keep it interesting. It doesn't bother me to anticipate yet more expense each time a new version is released. In fact, I actually look forward to it. The whole cycle just keeps gettin' better and better!I'm not counting on being able to import all my FS9 add-ons.Mike.

And cars suddenly get very expensive to maintain right after you make the last payment - not like FS. Just when you think you are done.:-(

>I was offered a preorder deal by PC Aviator. For the price of>the deluxe version they'll throw in a six month subscription>to Computer Pilot magazine, some fancy new defrag program, and>a $60 purchase voucher valid for 12 months. I've already been>waiting nearly 8 months, so with an offer like that I'm not>going to quibble about another 3 or 4 days.>>Needless to say, I went for the deal.>>Mike.Has anyone received their preorder from PCAviator? I haven't received any email correspondence from them and they havent (as of yet) responded to the email I have sent. I know it's only been 1 day since release...but I'm impatient. I probably should have gone with the in-store purchase as well. The PCAviator dea is only a good one if it shows up in the next few days.EG

EG -I preordered from PC Aviator as well. I called their 1-800 # today. Their recording said they planned to start shipping today, so hopefully we will have our copies in the next 3-4 days. Trying calling their 1-800 # during business hours tomorrow for an update. HTH.SteveJ.KHEF

I to made the mistake of ordering from them and have not heard a thing. keith