after several rounds of discussions on various forums, especially here, over how to label FSX content, I developed a FSX content taxonomy to more fully describe the problem. this description can be found here:http://blogs.msdn.com/ptaylor/archive/2008...t-taxonomy.aspxI hope people find it useful.

The problem I have with your suggestions, is that I think there is a significant FSX sp1 user community, and as I read your taxonomy, there is nothing to indicate sp1 compatibility. I am aware of things that work in sp2 but not sp1, because of simconnect dependency for example. Of course, your stated goal is WRT sp2, so by definition sp1 compatibility is not important (for this taxonomy) but I argue it is important to users.scott s..

Thanks Phil. We've copied your blog post to the FAQs section of our support forum in order to help clarify these questions for users.Glad to see that we finally have an "overview" from you and it is hoped that better understanding flourishes through the community.:-)

Phil,I really have no input to this discussion but wanted to thank you for providing me a new word for my vocabulary. I even went to the following website to get more info: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taxonomy. Learn something new every day! I'm sure you'll have more. I just have to continue reading your blogs...Best regards,Jim

I have to agree with Scott here! How can you say, anything that doesn't run in FSX SP2 is FSX incompatible? When it runs fine in FSX RTM/SP1? Is not FSX RTM/SP1 still versions of FSX? I think you need to break this down more. Something on the order of this.FSX Native - Built with FSX SDK runs in all versions.FSX RTM/SP1 Native - Built with FSX SDK runs only on FSX RTM/SP1. (Not sure if this one is needed, I haven't seen anything native yet for SP1 that doesn't run in SP2.)FSX SP2 Native - Built with FSX SDK Runs only on FSX SP2.FSX Compatible - Not built with FSX SDK Runs in all versions.FSX RTM/SP1 Compatible - Not built with FSX SDK Runs only on FSX RTM/SP1.FSX SP2 Compatible - Not built with FSX SDK Runs only on FSX SP2. (Not sure if this one is needed, I haven't seen anything from FS2004 run on SP2 but not RTM/SP1)FSX Incompatible - Doesn't run in any version of FSX (FS2004 only)

Tom,I agree with your argument from a purist point of view but I think it misses the point. I mean, it

>"I think this taxonomy is a good step. I feel sure that some 3PD's got unwarranted bad press simply because they labelled their product in a manner which was inconsistent with consumers expectations without themselves ever meaning to 'deceive' the consumer about the true nature (compatibility) of the product."Well said Terry. This goes to the heart of what we've been trying to communicate all thru this process.There are 3PDs who are working to bring content to market which is fully FSX/SP2 compatible yet they've been falsely accused of "hoodwinking" users or expected to provide such at no cost.":-(Bring DX10 compatibility into the picture and it's easy to see why folks have been frustrated and confused.We agree that FSX/SP2 is the highest/best course for FSX devs and of course an FSX/SP2 aircraft which is also DX10 compliant offers added value for the consumer as we all move forward.:-)

@ Phil:This taxonomy is a pretty good idea. I'd like to see it taken a step further, though. In my reviews, I have to include a statement as to what versions of Flight Simulator the product is compatible with. It usually just ends up as a string of acronyms: FS9, FSX SP2, XP SP3, DX9, DX10. It just looks like jargon, or a listing of chess moves, or something.What I am hunting for is a user-friendly system of naming these things that is intuitive and simple. A taxonomy implies that the naming system is logical, which is very good. Where I am buffeting and stalling is that the systems being described come off as confusing acronyms, but also that many of the acronyms are very similar. Still, things like "good", "better", "best" are kind of the same way, in that how much better is better than good? How can I describe a utility with "cherry on top" status without launching into an explaination of "good", "better", and "best"? My reviews are long enough as it is. I think this is a good idea, and right now I don't have a better idea. No, maybe I do... how about an icon-based rating system like movie or video game ratings? Those ratings still use acronyms like PG-13, G, R, E10+ and so on, but they also have little pictures that describe the rating quite clearly. This is the modern digital age, if we can have emoticons, we can also have FSXicons. Jeff ShylukAssistant Managing EditorSenior Staff ReviewerAVSIM

Jeff,I like the idea of an "instant icon" consumers can look at and get an immediate impression about how a given addon was constructed:http://forums.avsim.net/user_files/188485.jpgHere is a suggestion: why not have a badge system, sort of like this one I came up with while thinking about your "movie rating" metaphor.These badges instantly denote which SDK the add-on was constructed with, which version of Direct X it supports, and which version of FSX it is compatible with.I believe I covered all the bases here, but pipe up if you can think of something I missed.I hope the boys in the legal department won't mind us borrowing their graphics to help educate consumers of their product. What say you, Phil?Cheers,

Good idea Kevin but it may be better for 3PDs to come up with their own "badges" while following Phil's overview/taxanomy as a guidline:-)

I like Kevin's idea, one official set from MSFS that we all recognize. A different set of icons from each developer could be confusing if they are not done well.

MS legal may not like your idea. My suggestion was to follow Phil's outline but leave the graphics stuff to the 3PDs to avoid difficulty:-)

Yike'sLet just hope that after all this is sorted out, the point is taken how important that vNext has ONE logo, that being FSXI.Then everybody can focus on "one" version ..I'm still trying to figure out what SP2 did to my CH-53 that "is" a FSX native model (released right before SP2) . As after SP2, my landing lights no longer shine on the ground. Wonder what sticker that model should be?Regards'Garett

As far as graphics are concerned, I am looking at my Acceleration box, and I see icons fromnVidiaGameSpyBoeingIntelPC DVD4 Microsoft iconsESRB, the trademarked icon I am most interested in.I am no legal expert, but on the other hand here we see examples of standardized icons on the Microsoft box. It's not an impossible dream.Jeff ShylukAssistant Managing EditorSenior Staff ReviewerAVSIM

Its all gotten so complicated!