HiRead my orginal post"Well if PMDG is to set an example it will cost you something"PMDG has already stated that they will charge for 747 upgrade for FSX so I did contribute.Also calling me a hypocrite is not really fair as I was just stating what payware I fly in FS.I did`nt say that I would be willing to pay to upgrade them for FSX nor how utterly wonderful those development teams were.@MikeI`m not agitated but as stated amused.Whatever

> But in the end I'll end up spending $5,000 or $6,000 on FSX just like FS2004.Have never seen the necessity to spend so much for a computer, and Ive been buying them since 1976... Have always since the first three, bought them at =less= than retail prices, by waiting until the new models are a year or more old.You can buy high quality computers from Fry Electronics (outpost.com) or TigerDirect.com for much less than local computer stores. Even with extended warrentees, etc.. One which I bought from Fry's with a 3 year warrentee, was =replaced= by them after over 2 years. Thought they would just repair it. But as long as they are still selling the same model, they check it, find out what is wrong, and in this case just handed me a brand new computer. You cant beat that kind of service anywhere.You can buy computers at both places, for =much= less, and have what you want, without spending over $5,000, and save your money to upgrade the addons to the FS...Ive never spent more than $1500-2000 for a computer. Yet see those who spend double complaining the FS does not work as well as it does in mine.

I buy Sony desktop's at Fry's - add a BIG second hard drive and a real gaming video card. About $1300-1800. (It's always funny when they try to sell me a service plan, not realizing the Sony factory repair center is closer to my home than the Fry's store.)But when you start adding up the cost of a $20 or $50 addon every month or two....., even the yearly contribution to Avsim - it adds up so very fast.That number above is what I've spend on FS2004.Yes, I have a good paying job and I enjoy my hobbies. Don't worry in a few years I'll be retired and back to freeware only simming!!PS - I do not let my wife know how much I spend on this hobby.

I have seen the occasional "I have many dollars invested in FS9". I feel I have as much equity in FS9 as I do in beer that I have drank. :) (mostly good memories). I spend quite a bit on flight simming, but much less than I spent modifying my Mitsubishi Evolution. And my wife is happier I sold the Evo and no longer fly for real. Of course she does not know the total amount spent, but I tell her it's cheaper than a psychiatrist. LOL. Bob...

My wife says, "I'd rather have you spending money on FS & addons, than putting it into Golf or a Boat and being a Golf widow, etc... At least when you are flying, I always know where you are, and what you are doing."Actually, my addons do double duty, as she is also on the computer, and we fly together many times... Though she prefers Business Jets, and I prefer Props, she will defer to me and fly formation with a Prop. We both love to fly a WACO over Sedona AZ or through the Grand Canyon to Valley of Fire, and into Vegas.Its great to be retired (since 1995) and spend time with the FS.

This is why I really enjoy FSGENESIS Life Membership. Have had it through many upgrades of the FS, each time it means free upgrades to all new MESH, etc... What I got the =first= year, more than paid for the membership, everything since then, has been a BONUS!

In 'rip-off' Britain wer'e going to pay more than the U.S. just for the program!CAn you imagine how much more the hardware is over here?