My config file is starting to fill up with gauge licenses. What is the purpose? Are the license files adding to the delay in getting past the splash screen? Do they delay the loading of the sim beyond the splash screen. Do the license files affect performance? Do they do anything? Thank you in advance.Bob...Note to ACES : Acknowledging trusted gauges is a PIA when a new aircraft is loaded the first time. And I cannot fault a freeware developer not paying the $500.

Hi Bob,I don't like it either, it just adds another layer off work, sorta, to the development process, although code signing is very easy to do.I just released FS2Crew for FSX, and all the gauges were code signed, and this will show in your FSX.cfg.I can only imagine what people's FSX.cfg files are going to look like after a year after they've installed a lot of addons. It's going to be huge with all the trusted app's listed.The purpose of code signing is to add some measure of security to applications that people install on their computers. It's kinda like ID for the developer, so that when the user installs a program on their computer they know who the developer is and they can be a little more assured the software contains no viruses, etc.As far as I know, in Vista all applications will have to be code signed, so you'd better get used to it now.Also, as far as I know there is no peformance hit with code signed application. I don't see how there could be.Chrs,Bryan

Now, in addition to trying to get our government to stop "protecting" us we have to put up with Microsoft "protecting" us also. Frankly, I don't need, nor do I want, anything to do with Microsoft "protection". Maybe the EU will someday say enough-is-enough and force MS to stop all this nonsense. For sure, the government here in the USA hasn't the backbone to do it.Doug

Hi Bryan!Thank you for information. I had a feeling the reason was security, although I'm not convinced it is a solution without a problem. :) I have a home network with a hardwired firewall, antivirus, antispam, anti spy-ware, a software firewall and now antigauge code. I've never had a gauge go bonkers and try to kill my computer. God.... I feel like the human resources department at the NSA. LOL.The result of course is............. it took me twenty two (22) minutes (not kidding) to click (I stop counting at 60) through the notices from loading the new FSX Eaglesoft Hawker's gauges. Bob....

Not much longer Bob...imagine the PIA it will be for us to go through each one to get em signed.:-) Thanks for your patience although we did it in 3-4 minutes in FSX.

Hi Ron,This isn't your fault and I don't know why it took so long. There was a 10 or 15 second delay between each screen asking me to trust YOU. I sure had time to think about it! :) BTW, I get decent frame rates in the Hawker 2D panel. You don't here that from me often. :) The graphics are improved and thanks for the discount!Bob...

>Hi Bryan!>>Thank you for information. I had a feeling the reason was>security, although I'm not convinced it is a solution without>a problem. :) I have a home network with a hardwired firewall,>antivirus, antispam, anti spy-ware, a software firewall and>now antigauge code. I've never had a gauge go bonkers and try>to kill my computer. God.... I feel like the human resources>department at the NSA. LOL.>>The result of course is............. it took me twenty two>(22) minutes (not kidding) to click (I stop counting at 60)>through the notices from loading the new FSX Eaglesoft>Hawker's gauges. >>>Bob....>>It's so that MS can get some revenue from us folks that use payware addons. Developers that pay the $500 yearly fee will in almost all likleyhood be passing this extra cost on to us, the payware users. MS wants a little peice of the payware addon pie. That's how I see it, so far anyway.Is this wrong? Personally I haven't formed an opinion yet one way or the other. It's their sim, and I'm thankful they have made it with an open type of architecure so the sim can be tweaked and addons can be developed, installed, and enjoyed. But I don't know that I like the idea that extra costs are going to be incurred for, as Bob put it, "a solution without a problem".Jim

Microsoft cannot help but controlling every single aspect of what they want to dominate. It is their nature, and it is harmful to "the little guys", but MS has made a history of pushing "the little guy" out of their way...

FYI, you can get code signing certificates for $100 bucks at Comodo. (I think I spelt that right). The big thing is their root CA is already on everyone's XP, which makes things A LOT easier and simpler.Also, if the software is code signed in FSX (as mine is) you don't need to individually trust each gauge, etc., that FS loads. Instead, under the "options" menu when the security prompt appears, you can select "Always trust software by xxx" and you wont have to individually accept each file. Also, freeware developers don't really need code signing. They can get away with just instructing users to trust each gauge, etc., that their software loads. I'm sure the freeware users would understand and won't be bothered by the little bit of extra time it takes to trust each file that gets loaded.Chrs,Bryan

Hi Bryan,Thanks for the tip and info. $100 is a lot different than $500. Interesting.Cheers,Jim

It should be fun six months down the line when I decide to re-install FSX and reload 27 FSX add-on aircraft; most without a prepaid gauge license. Click.... click.... click.... click....Bob.... :)

>It should be fun six months down the line when I decide to>re-install FSX and reload 27 FSX add-on aircraft; most without>a prepaid gauge license. Click.... click.... click....>click....>>>Bob.... :) Nah, Bob...just save the ( by then ) 50 MB "Trusted" section of your fsx.CFG file and paste it into your new fsx.CFG file, assuming your text editor can handle a file of that size :) What a truely assinine place to put that stuff...my opinion of course.... Paul

> Now, in addition to trying to get our government to stop>"protecting" us we have to put up with Microsoft "protecting">us also. Frankly, I don't need, nor do I want, anything to do>with Microsoft "protection". Maybe the EU will someday say>enough-is-enough and force MS to stop all this nonsense. For>sure, the government here in the USA hasn't the backbone to do>it.>>DougAt long last? - it is NOT just the EU - our Govt is already working on the fact that the WGA fiasco actually contravenes several of our well established Laws much less the intrusions that DR coding will impose once Vista is released - that in itself breaks at least 6 of our LawsIt may well be that M$ has more Lawyers than programmers in a few years

Did you check the fsdevelopers association? The problem is being adressed.Jos

>What is the purpose? Simply to RIP even MORE money out of anyone that is stupid enough to love FS - .FULL STOP (in case you cant see it)