What would really be great is if the new version wouldn't allow the movement of subdirectories outside the main FS directory.Better even, if the new version would not install to anything but the default hard drive.This would probably eliminate about 99.9% of all support problems for 3rd party developers....LOL.Just a thought.

To take it another step further; it might be nice if their was some sort of file naming/prefix requirement and format for all add-on files generated by 3rd party developers so that installers could search for conflicting files.This could come in handy for AFCAD files. :-) Users and developers could easily search and switch between the files they want to use as they add and delete add-ons they want or don't want.

hmm, if it installs only to the default drive it would exclude me from installing it as that drive only has 2GB free ;)I'd instead suggest that the next FS should not allow the user to modify any of the settings either from within FS or from the config files. That would stop most problems people are having.If the framerate counter then also were to be removed it would also get rid of all the framerate junkies (that one is actually serious!).

Then move your 'my received' files (mine is huge) over to the drive that has that 2g free...rofl. Or move all your music and videos over. Or get a default drive that is larger.The issue is things actually not working due to multiple files affecting the same area.I don't care about users changing their settings, that's their problem. That's a perfomance issue not a conflict issue. Developers address the performance issue in their designs if done correctly in order to minimize the user having to adjust their settings. Anything beyond that is out of our control.What I do care about is people flying our email system more than our products. I wan't our customers to be spending more time flying the sim.With all of these addons out there, we're starting to get too congested.I think it's going to take a concerted effort between the developers and MS to help make the new sim more user friendly for everyone. So far from what we've all seen I think some of those issues are being addressed.

>hmm, if it installs only to the default drive it would>exclude me from installing it as that drive only has 2GB free>;)>>I'd instead suggest that the next FS should not allow the user>to modify any of the settings either from within FS or from>the config files. >That would stop most problems people are having.>If the framerate counter then also were to be removed it would>also get rid of all the framerate junkies (that one is>actually serious!).Re: Framerate junkies. I agree that some people can be "obsessed" with framerate. I'm happy if I can get 20fps which is most of the time without Ai traffic and poorly coded scenery. That said however I think the framerate counter is essential for monitoring performance, for example when installing new VC drivers etc - are the newer ones better than the previous ones? I think users need to be educated more on polygons and how detail affects performance before this is removed.

I know you were replying to jwenting, but I'll also respond.Users DO NOT and SHOULD NOT need to know how design effects performance. It goes towrds what I said about flying the sim and not the email system....adding tweaking to that statement also...hehe.More time tweaking and supporting leads to users evantually not wanting to bother with the sim.We have an advantage over most 'games'. That is Flight Simulator has no real end to it. We have to keep people interested though.That's an issue if done correctly the user should never know the difference. They should also not be resposible for the tweaking of their system. I know that sounds naive, but that's one of the things we're striving for.Now all of this is a tangent to what I originally posted, but's it is also relevant in the larger picture.

>If the framerate counter then also were to be removed it would>also get rid of all the framerate junkies (that one is>actually serious!).With all due respect, IMHO it's big time foolishness to think that removing FPS counter would not make people notice poor FPS and hi stuttering. I for one, notice them _despite_ FPS counter (and don't forget stuttering is "felt" and not measured). Ever wondered why a much higher percentage of people eventually complain about those for MSFS, compared to other flight sims?Marco

I think what he meant was to remove the counter in the hopes that we wouldn't need it, similar to what you just stated or hoped for.And btw, this thread is intended for forward thinking, not what is or what was. I'm refering to your comparison to other sims.

Actually we're going to eliminate the ability to change settings and force you to run it from the DVD.

Keep throwing that gas on the fire...lol.Edit: ******* H, Mike, I just noticed your sig block 'trying' to come through...rofl.

>And btw, this thread is intended for forward thinking, not>what is or what was. I'm refering to your comparison to other>sims.Agree, infact in my forward thinking, no stutters and higher instrument refresh rates are on top of the wish-list (well, along with some improvementes in FM area). :)Marco

I can guarantee you that is on the list of developers and the FS team also.There have been some pretty good blogs on those issues if memory serves me right.One of things we'll have to keep in mind is that with all the new features and tools it will be possible to actualy get worse performance if they are not used correctly. We have to keep that in mind when it comes to eye candy.It's a whole new ball game folks, but we'll have tons of fun with it, no doubt.

> Actually we're going to eliminate the ability to change settings and force you to run it from the DVD.:-hmmm Ok this is some kind of joke? ..

Well in forward thinking I strongly believe that most respected add-on developers work or should work with MS during beta testing. Both beta testing the default and when closer to finished beta testing their products within the new version.What I would really like to see is when installing the new version it reads what add-ons you have installed on FS9 and ask if you would like to install those programs over into FSX. This would take a big joint effort on both parties behalf but the out come would be great for the end user.

Nathan,I doubt that could be done...hehe. That might be a bit much. There's to many directories where files reside one ach users' system.You should be close to opening up I see. I hope all goes well.