I was listening to the Spain presentation and noticed there were two more details to add to FSX information.#1. The Delux version will have 40 high-detailed airports. The regular will have 20.#2. Microsoft has spent a lot of time refining the FSX API and are working with Peter Dowson to offer the data FSUIPC offers in the API. They will also be issuing quartly updates to keep synched with developments. #3. Airplanes will be released with blank (all white) liveries to allow easier repaints.The exact quote for #2 is: "We are working very closely with Peter Dowson ... So he's working directly with us to make sure that those aircraft that use that [FSUIPC] will work, and it'll be easier for third-parties to not have to use that [FSUIPC] in the future because they can use our API. We'll be releasing quarterly updates to our API so that if we don't get 100% of it in the beginning we'll be able to catch up."

Absolutely fantastic news indeed. Quarterly updates makes me wonder if they'll release other patches and goodies quarterly as well. This answers a concern I had which I posted here:http://forums.avsim.net/dcboard.php?az=sho...ing_type=searchand discuessed in much more detail here:http://forums.avsim.net/dcboard.php?az=sho...ing_type=search

Quarterly updates for the API. Nothing was said about the game engine itself. =)

I wonder how (if) they'll eventually distribute WideFS. If they, MS, will eventually supply a widecleint-like executable for another PC in a deluxe version of FS or something. One thing's for sure, the times are a changin'...

I suspect that is one feature that will be exclusively left for Pete =) Come FSX I am purchasing it for my new computer (FSUIPC+WideFS) so I can run some of the CPU-heavy applications on my second computer (3rd monitor). It's too bad we cannot export the FS display across machines.Right now I'm considering the Triple-Head2Go from Matrox.

FWIW, you can use FS + WideFS + WideView to get the display across the network. I never messed with it becuase it meant maintaining two identical installations of FS. Perhaps it would benefit you however. I've been running WideFS since FS9 was released and love it. You won't regreat it. You can see from my sig below how I divide the work-load.

Wow! Sounds very promising. Thanks for sharing!

It's excellent news that MS are saying that FSX is a "platform" and that they will support the platform with regular API and SDK updates.I think this might usher in a new era of 3rd party add-ons with a level of complexity and tight FS integration never seen before. :-jumpyWell done MS/ACES.

Finally .... an alternative to FSUIPC :D Great news!

>It's excellent news that MS are saying that FSX is a>"platform" and that they will support the platform with>regular API and SDK updates.>>I think this might usher in a new era of 3rd party add-ons>with a level of complexity and tight FS integration never seen>before. :-jumpy>That's the plan.

AWESOME! :-beerchug