Now everybody take a deep breath, there appears to be a very sharp dividing line between those who can run fsx and those who cannot.Each side gets very frustrated as they are both reasonably knowledgeable and so cannot understand the opposing position. I think i know why, i have a 4800x2 machine with 2gig of ram and an x1900xt 512mb gc and under xp fsx runs like a limping dog, however i have a few other machines one of which is a 3400Athlon64 with a 6800gt 128mb (2 years old). I thought i would try fsx on that and low and behold, straight out of the box it ran pretty well and much better than on my 'top end' machine. I then read the post about the new ati vista rc2 drivers and bunged them on my top machine and vista. Low and behold, whilst not quite as good as some people claim, fsx nevertheless runs very well on rc2, much better than xp (for me)So please everybody put away the insults, both sides are correct and there does appear to be a solution out there. That being updated ati or fsx drivers for windows xp.good luck, i'm of to play fsx on vista rc2.

>Well said Steve,>>Unfortunately these FSX defender's have to resort to name>calling as they have not come up with any good reasons as to>why they are defending FSX to begin with!>Once again, I see you're making additional comments, as a proud "non" FSX owner...As to myself, I no longer even bother to rush home & load a new flight sim the day I bought it. The sim might even sit a week or longer in the package. I am NOT a flight sim fanatic, nor does my flight sim become a make believe reality to replace the real world. Years ago, I'd upgrade CPU's every two years to get the best out of a flight sim. These days, I waited five years. Bought a new two axis auto-pilot instead.What DOES interest me about a flight sim the most, is how well it simulates the feel and actions of real flight; and how well it duplicates the look and topography of a world below. I do fly real planes, I own a plane, and have a good time with a camara shooting aviation photography. In my view, FSX is not perfect. FS9 is not perfect, and X-Plane 8 with global scenery is not perfect, but they all have appeal, and farther potential.So what's appealing about FSX in my view, and why would I defend it?It's the much improved feel of flight from a view of moving and changing airmasses. I suppose a "cyber pilot" only wouldn't understand this! The second, is from a photography standpoint. FSX runs with much improved texture resolution. The landscape is much more in focus, and more resembles a photo, than a painting.It's simple, FSX must have some genuine appeal, regarding the simulation of real flight, or I would not bother. I don't have to bother! For me, flight simming is NOT a replacement of reality. My soul use of a flight sim, is to see just how well it replicates reality, and makes one feel as though you're "there". Being realistic, all three simulations that I've mentioned, are going to provide that feel of being there, in different circumstances, and rarely in the same place. At this point, it's not a contest of one sim dominating the others, in all realms of flight. It's never happened in my 15 years or so of flight simming, and FSX isn't any different. At least, I can keep an open mind, and use any of these three simulations, depending on mood & why. I don't need cyber pilots telling me to find good reasons why FSX is worthwhile. I already know! And a phrases such as: "they have not come up with any good reasons as to>why they are defending FSX to begin with!"really is meaningless, as it comes from one with only armchair pilot experience, not to mention not even owning FSX. As this appears to be the case, then I don't feel it's worth the trouble of any more argument from me.L.Adamsonedit: to add "t" to pilot

Why must those of us that like FSX always be called mindless Sheep or other names? It gets old. Really guy's can't you just let us enjoy what we like and try to help others that may have problems with FSX.There are a lot of nice Sims for everbodys taste so why insult the ones that like FSX.? Please if you can stop it.

Falcon 4.0 uses multi core and sli and it was developed in 2005. So this lack of vision( of not knowing multi core will become popular) from Aces does not sound very convincing.Someone from Aces did write in this forum that we must appreciate the big picture and what the future holds for us. They could not get the dual core/SLI near future correct, will not that be stretching things a bit far to expect them to get the big picture or future correct?We will surely get more brute power in hardware in years to come and fsx might run smoothly however, thats not the point. The point is given any hardware power FSX runs slower than contemprorary gaming software of the same genre in that machine-thats what makes the sim awful from programming point of view.Future proofing happens at architecture level. We all know the architecture of FS has not changed since Artwick's days so why this designed for future comment? CPU does evrything, for pixelling send it grpahics card-thats it was then thats what it is now albeit some voluminous subroutines!

People tend to see in others the part they most fear within themselves.B

"I respect Rob and the other posters that come here and speak their mind even when their comments aren't popular amungst this group of FSX defenders."Good message post Rob... I quite agree with what you said, and the above quoted message post. Unknowingly I just said about the same thing as you in another thread. Bob (Las Cruces, NM)

Thanks for your explanation,Phil.Went and bought FSX cos my PC meets the Minimum requirements on the cover-otherwise maybe would have not.I expected at least FS9 like performance with all slides left.Well,I feel like a sucker now!Will think 10 times again before I trust Microsoft.Thanks for commiserating,but thats no compensation for time,effort and money spent on this tasteless "chef's special".Can I send it back to the kitchen or get my money back and then I will think of visiting your acclaimed restaurant again.Ps Nothing personal here!Jay

I shouldn't let myself get sucked into a thread like this, but I can't just stand by while you slander our developers. I've been working in the game dev business for a very long time and worked with some brilliant developers. The devs in ACES are very good and know their stuff. They know what the architecture is capable of, how much work it is to expand upon it, how much time we have to do it and make decisions on how many hours they can work in a day and still remain relatively sane. They are amazingly dedicated team members and I am proud to be on the FSX team with them.For your information I know at least 4 of the devs that do or have worked in the core have posted on Avsim and other forums with no attempt to hide their identity. I would point them out to you if I thought it was okay to open them up to further abuse by you.

And yet another thread devolves into another of round mindless accusations, name calling, posturing, and pxxxing and moaning. Gotta wonder why the Aces guys even bother to try but do admire their pluck:-)

I spent today at FSweekend in Holland, and had a great time. Instead of lobbing commentary back and forth via forums or blog posts I was talking directly to real users with real questions, concerns, and yes some anger.But I was there in the lions den and it didn't bother me a bit because I value each and every one of them as dedicated FS users and fans. They could see me as a real team member and talk about the issues with a dialog that gets past many of the assumptions and sterotypes of "M$."Although I couldn't hand out magic bullets on CD's to solve everyone's ills, I could at least calm some fears along the way.I'm not the only one making forays into person one on one (or one on many) discussions as team members have been traveling all over the world doing the same lately.

We know, and your efforts are appreciated:-)

Hi Paul,How you and the others from ACES are able to cope with all of the negative postings is simply beyond belief. The negativity alone would probably be acceptable if it were done in an orderly fashion with just the slightest bit of respect. It would appear that there are more than a few of the members of this forum who feel the need to vent in a nasty and sometimes vulgar manner defying all sensibility and decency. I can't begin to speak for this community, but I appreciate the candor, honesty, and professionalism displayed by yourself and the other members of the team, and hope for your continued presence despite having to endure the constant barrage of insults.Best regards,Jim Karn

>I believe it is called innovation -- and what is wrong with>dreaming and setting goals?>>But I'm sorry if my sheep comment offended you, I do regret it>and apologize.>>Rob.Dont apologise Rob, if people get offended by being called a 'sheep', well, they should grow up.Baaaaa Humbug

>And yet another thread devolves into another of round>mindless accusations, name calling, posturing, and pxxxing and>moaning. Gotta wonder why the Aces guys even bother to try but>do admire their pluck:-) At least this thread is still here. Anything negative on your forums, even when bugs are reported, gets deleted.Baaaaaa

>>Dont apologise Rob, if people get offended by being called a>'sheep', well, they should grow up.>Speak for yourself...Besides, at my age, I don't want to grow up anymore.L.Adamson -- never a "team player"