One of the things new FSX simmers will encounter while adding new aircraft and/or modules into FSX is a question box that will popup asking if the want to "Trust" a gauge or module...Note that this is NOT something that ACES had a hand in; it is part of the Windows XP SP/2 and Vista "protection scheme," and is just another headache for everyone, developers and simmers alike.At the moment every single gauge from any addon will require "manual verification" before FSX will "allow it" to be loaded and used. One exception to the above requirement is FSUIPC, as Pete Dowson is ahead of the curve already and has his "Trusted Certificate..." :)Until such time as a grassroots effort currently underway to provide a free "Trusted Certificate" for freeware gauge and module developers to obtain and use in their projects comes to fruition, this will be an ongoing problem.Commercial developers will have to spend up to $500 annually to obtain a "Trusted Certificate" from VeriSign, Thwate, or another of the handful of Certificate Authorities.For payware devs, it's yet another major expense, and for freeware devs it is an entirely unwelcome addition to their workload... In the meantime, all simmers will have to exercise their own "Prudential Judgement" on whether or not to manually "accept" anything as "Trusted..."In summary then, as long as the simmer knows that the addon he/she's installing is uncorrupted and from a developer they trust, all should be well...

are you sure? :-)

This is the most ridiculous thing I have ever heard. Is MS having a laugh?Pyjamas

Another reason not to rush out and buy it....Ed GreenKCLThttp://www.panelshop.com/Banners/DEV.jpg

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http://www.oncourse-software.co.uk/forum_images/fdc_beta.jpg

Where did u get this info from?

If you think thats bad, just wait until you try to install vista x64, all hardware will be REQUIRED to have "certified" Microsoft drivers, if not, you cant install it!!

I'm not :)

<<>Microsoft @ AVSIM convention. ACES pushed back, but it was a mandated by the corporation anyway.

I experienced this when I installed the Carenado 182 - so yes it does happen. Not a big deal at all.duttonhttp://dutton.fsblogger.com/

Why are we finding this out only now?If this is true, the expense is sure to be passed on to us as the buyers of any add-on. -Rick

It is probably part of the security initiative MS pursues more strongly since XP SP2.Does it make sense? Well, sort of. Technically, gauges (.GAU files) are DLLs. They contain executable code and when you load a panel, MSFS loads the gauges and executes the code which in turn will show the stuff on the panel.So, a gauge could, at least in theory, contain code which does arbitrary things - things which it isn't supposed to do, like spying on your system or similar evil stuff, simply because it can execute code in the context of the running FS process and if you run FS as admin, then this code has all privileges on your system.Of course, that is a "no issue" for payware addons, because no payware developer would do such things (I hope so, at least), but it might be an issue when someone downloads freeware gauges from anywhere on the net.And payware devs can get the certificate, of course - which will cost them money which may result in higher prices for FSX addons.Its not basically a stupid idea. Adding more security to a system will, in most cases, always come with annoying or negative side effects for the user.

>Why are we finding this out only now?>>If this is true, the expense is sure to be passed on to us as>the buyers of any add-on. >>-RickYup. :-rollI'm beginning to lose my interest in this hobby more and more everyday. At this rate each add on will be 50 dolllars minimum and a ton of headaches to deal with. MS sure is dropping the ball with all their security BS.

So why don't we get prompted now with FS9?>>Well, sort of. Technically, gauges (.GAU files) are DLLs. They>contain executable code and when you load a panel, MSFS loads>the gauges and executes the code which in turn will show the>stuff on the panel.>

Actually, this will only happen with compiled C gauges. XML gauges either in separate folders or CAB files do not need to be trusted.

>Of course, that is a "no issue" for payware addons, because no>payware developer would do such things (I hope so, at least),>but it might be an issue when someone downloads freeware>gauges from anywhere on the net.>>And payware devs can get the certificate, of course - which>will cost them money which may result in higher prices for FSX>addons.>>Its not basically a stupid idea. Adding more security to a>system will, in most cases, always come with annoying or>negative side effects for the user.Hmmm,...So what you are saying is that within a short period of time, it is goodby with all freeware, since we have to get a licence from MS? Or did I understand wrong...:-hmmmhttp://www.scandicair.com/images/sa_banner.gifFSX..:-hmmm...nah.. Still happy without it!! :-hahMy specs are:Dell Dimension 4600 P4/2.8 at 3.0 Ghz1024 Mb DDR333 Dual channel memory (2x256,1x512)256 Mb ATI Radeon X850 Pro ViVo, flashed to a X850 XT PE. Omega 2.6.87 (CAT 5.12)DirectX 9.0cW XP Home with SP2E171FPb Flat panel monitor 17"370Gb HD (120 GB Maxtor, 250GB Samsung) 7200rpm ATA Lacie 250Gb Extern HDMy work:http://library.avsim.net/search.php?CatID=...&Go=Change+View