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Toys_R_Us

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About Toys_R_Us

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  1. I have gotten to the point that I mostly enjoy a slow moving single engine airplane like a 172 and just shooting touch and goes around wherever I want to be, while taking in all the world has to offer by day and by night. I do like to have some good mesh in place. Having viewed the screen shots, this thing looks awfully good to me for that purpose. I'm just waiting on video card recommendations at this point before ordering a new machine to use this new program. And when the Rift gets here this is going to be over-the-top awesome under any scenario. Bob - Las Cruces, NM.
  2. Since the early 1980's, all attempts to limit program use have failed. I do see a future in "the cloud" for some uses and applications. But let's take a serious look at real flight simulation as it relates to this issue. As Microsoft heads to the closed architecture of the cloud, other major game players in flight simulation are reacting by going exactly the opposite way. And now the major third party software developers are getting on board with these people. Orbx even now includes a dual license (FSX and Prepar3d) and a whopping 44 percent discount. Prepar3d is even developing Window's 8's DX11 for FSX, while now also including a new $49 version and "all user" classification. Then the hardware people such as Intel are reacting to consumer needs by creating super fast chips with 1.4 billion transistors and speed inprovements, simplified overclocking, and even a cheap overclocker's chip destruction insurance protection plan for just $29 bucks. They say the new Ivy bridge "K" version can even be overclocked clear up to 4.5 GH with just one slider movement in the included bios. And huge on-chip caches, massive dirt cheap RAM, and dramatically improved data movement from SS drives and double transfer-speed hard drives are the rule. For every action, there is a reaction. It was true before, and it is still true now, That is going on in flight simulation as well. In fact, the things I describe above are the direction I am taking as a result. I can give up a little extra cartoon style eye candy for full-world, real world, and full-industry functionality. Remember... Purchasing Alaska from MS, is the same as adding a whopping discount to a third party developer in FSX for the same terrain. A lot of people forget that when they buy a 12 dollar T-bone at the grocery store...... :LMAO: Bob
  3. In my opinion, the "make it simple" argument as the main purpose for the existence of Flight is ludicrous. Flight simulators as we knew them are computer programs only, and as such the simplicity of a "Flight" could have been built right into an FS11 as an menu option choice. Ditto that for gameplay. Flight is about taking an open architecture program and turning it into a closed architecture program, for the purpose of closed-door profit. That is what the movement to the "cloud", dedicated game boxes, and "freemium" offerings by virtually all the big software developers is all about. Even Adobe is headed that way. That being said, there is no guarantee that this is not just another passing fad. Personally, I think it is..... except for certain cell phone, game box, and tablet applications. The reality is, Flight is "dumbed down" and "content limited" by about 95 percent, and now we will be asked to pay for every increment to get back to where an FSX, with third-party payware add-ons, was/is ! Bob - Las Cruces, NM
  4. Somehow I think we all got to calling Flight the wrong thing. Listening to the Kim Komando radio show today, she responded to a caller question about marketing software by remarked that the "in" business model used today by many to maybe even most new software offerings is known in the software industry as "freemium". Said Kim, the business plan is to "Give it away for free, in hopes of selling premium add-on's. Knowing what we know now, Flight is clearly predicated on the "freemium" business model which is the current rage among both big and little software suits.There is much to be read on this subject by doing a Google search on the term "freemium". This may clarify for some why Flight was done in the manner it was done. These articles discuss strategy, offerings, rate of expansion, how to sell, who to sell to, how it's done, selling by word of mouth (networking to fellow group users), etc.The modern version of this very popular software business model was started by well-known venture capitalist Fred Wilson around 2006.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Freemiumhttp://www.avc.com/a_vc/2009/07/freemium-and-freeconomics.htmlBob - Las Cruces, NM
  5. I notice this immediately in the beta release and am surprised it was not fixed. Long time FSX (I think it was this version) people will remember the same problem and it was fixed.Bob - LCNM
  6. I was a beta tester, and I flew in the product. I have not downloaded the final version and have no intention of doing so for now. Will I download and play this game. Yes I will. But that will not happen until I see an airplane I like, full ILS support, and an area I want to fly in. If the pricing remains like it is now, I will stay out all together and throw my money at FSX which is coming into it's own on much better hardware, especially since everyone is now courting over-clocker's money too.I have no problem with the product. It is what it is and costs what it costs. As of right now, it is just not for me.Bob - Las Cruces, NM
  7. I read many thoughts of enthusiasm from "people" here about where this is hopefully headed. As of the moment, they have covered 1/8952th of the earth's land, and 1/590th of the United States with scenery, and taken 17 months to do it. This is not exactly a dazzling statistic for expansion optimism. And especially at the prices they are charging ! And as a "person" this is why I "personally" cannot get too thrilled about this product. It's OK for what it is.Bob
  8. "Don't get me wrong, I think Google Earth is a great utility, but it will never evolve into a full fledged flight simulator".Think so ?Now to blow your brains out, click on the Fed-Ex jet picture, and get ready for a big surprise.Then decide if Flight is the only longer term game in town !!!MS Flight may just have change their ways as it relates to a closed program after you see this.http://www.ge-flightsimulator.com/The history of computers does not support your opinion. When MS closed the door to O.S. developers, they opened the door to the very innovative people of the world. And they usually find a way to deliver.I'm not bashing here. I am simply saying the end is not in sight by a long shot no matter what MS ends up doing with their new venture. Flight did not fit my needs simply because I do not like to fly in Hawaii only, and really get my kicks in some more exciting places. The New York City area is one of them. GEFS fills that need in certain ways for me right now. But certainly not all of those needs. If I want to shoot landings, I'll come back to the free version of Flight. That's the nice thing about computers and free program options.When you can navigate FSX with ease, Flight takes a half hour tops to pretty much size up.Bob - LCNM
  9. For those of you that still think this it a joke, you might want to check a few things out.1. First check out YouTube videos for GEFS. You might be surprised.2. It does have joystick support.3. See: http://support.googl...76993&ctx=topicHere you will see controls for thrust, rudder, ailerions, elevator, flaps, gear, brakes, and moreMicrosoft Flight is a program in very early development. It's features are extremely limited and for a target audience,Google Earth (GEFS) is a program in very early development. It's features are extremely limited and for a target audience,Each, has about the same potential to be a major product in the flying line-up at this point.Where Flight has better detailed planes, GE has better detailed scenary.Where Flight has good mouse support for simplicity, so does GEFS.Where Flight has better instrumention, GE has a whole world to offer.Where Flight has certain better features each with a price, GE is totally free.Where Flight is totally closed, GEFS has yet to take that position.But if the FS communtiy wants to move forward they need to support all the major game players.Given the state of both programs, it is my opinion they both need their own forum.In total right now, I do not see one or the other ahead in total offering.I do see GE with a whole lot more money to throw at it, given some enthusiasm and support.A negative attitude towards a free lunch, usually means the end of that free lunch.And in the end, we will eventually get to a whole world that is real. GEFS is way ahead on this one and there is little doubt that is the only reason they have done what they have done so far for FS enthusiasts while betting on the future. Right now Google's Android is kicking MIcrosoft's butt in the arena of the future (Cell phone and tablet systems).Bob - LCNM
  10. I'm outta here, exactly like the last time you chimmed in and drove me away. In my blog your IP would have been blocked long ago.Bob
  11. A380That was their clearly stated intent.You and I may not agree with it, but the program also fires up in that mode.Please, and with all due respect, know your subject before calling someone a troll.It seems as though this crowd has gotten so negative, they don't even want to hear of any exciting new thing. I am actually sorry I started this thread and I will keep these kinds of things to myself and my own self enjoyment in the future. Tom was exactly right in shutting this forum down. The message posters in general are out of control.Personally, I would shut it down for good until everyone gets an attitude change. This is not a friendly place any more and some heads need to roll.Bob - LCNM
  12. I think every single one of you "know it alls" are going to go into total shock if you bother to go to YouTube and watch the videos of the GE flight simulator with full blown jet models and on-screen instrument panels just like FSX.I am now researching joystick support which I understand it also has but I have not found that yet.Clearly, it is coming out that Microsoft got way behind the 8 ball here and is playing catch up once again.Clearly this is why they called it Flight, changed the people they were aiming at, made it free, and made it mouse driven. The GE has a very sophisticated mouse support specifically aimed at FS.I really don't know how this got past so many fairly sophisticated FS people, including myself.They clearly intend to be game players and knock MS off with their Android system.I have a choice today to fly GE or Flight. I choose to spend my time in the reality of GE as of right now. Yes, there are some trade off's, but this thing is a serious game player. Download it and see for yourself. As of this moment and state of development, they are at a very minimum tied in the race for the mouse driven fan. Given that GE is totally free for the whole world, they have a serious uphill battle in my opinion.Disclaimer - This is not an anti-Flight thread on my part. That program has it's features and merits all it's own. My purpose is to inform the community that another serious game player of the same type exists. And with it's own set of similar and different merits. This really hit me as both a fluke and a surprise. I went over to install a program for a friend on his computer, and this 70 year old man with no interest in FS what-so-ever, was flying around in GE with a mouse when I arrived and Mr. FS Know-It-All (me) didn't have any knowledge of this free offering and especially it's power.Bob - LCNM
  13. A380Don't knock it until you try it. I'm an avid flight sim guy just like you. I'm in shock, and the more I think about it, the more I am seeing exactly why MS did what they did. They have serious market share issues, and Google took the lead in this flying by mouse arena. Further, they've got the images on line !!!Now if Google improves just their FS module, MS is sucking you know what really bad.When I went over to a friend of mine's house and he was flying around in this thing, I was in total shock. This one got by me. And he has no interest in FS just like the average kid.I know, I know.... You FS guys are all experts and you are not liking to face this reality. But FS and GE are not simulators, and right now I'm saying GE has the lead simply because a kid with a mouse is going to like seeing the whole world. I know I do.And yes you can land in GE but it gets a bit blurry down low. Each has serious downsides and serious upsides. But to see the world in eye candy from a few hundred feet above and more, it blows Flight completely off the map (pardon the pun).Frankly, like FS, I can't leave it alone. Too much real stuff to go check out. I'm flying over baseball fields and public swimming pools I played on and in when I was 10 years old. It's totally fascinating and totally addictive. The tennis courts I played high school tennis on have not changed a bit in over 40 years in Blue Island, Illinois.I repeat, this is just not a simple top down view. You can totally control your angle of view down. It even has real weather layers you can turn on, and adjustable sun angle and time of day controls.Bob
  14. There is a flight simulator built into the free product. That's because the function from an "eye candy" prospective is the same. But you have the whole world of tile proxy without even messing with it. And you have a grid if you want it just like in MS Flight if you want to use the mouse only. But you can just fly with your mouse alone and some key commands if you want.Look at the handwriting on the wall. See what resources Google has and does not have, and what MS has and does not have. And the flock of kids going to Android. It's not rocket science in the world of marketing.Everybody say's Flight is not a flight simulator. Neither is Google Earth. But they both let you fly around with a mouse !!!!!Bob - LC, NM
  15. And don't knock it until you try it. I am in total shock. I had no idea !!!! It all comes from the ability to tilt the view as far as you want. Even to horizontal. And then just "fly".It's the same as flying with an outside view but real satellite mapping. I've been flying all over southern Portugal today where I lived for about a year at Sesimbra, Hawaii, and I just discovered a new 22 million dollar GM automotive battery plant I helped get running in 1973 at Fitzgerald, Georgia has been torn down, when I flew over it and all I saw was a brown field with a stained dead weed patch outline on it. Probably from battery acid of all those years.Then I flew down the Vegas strip, out to boulder dam to see the new bridge for the first time, and over a golf course community I lived in at Lecanto, Florida. I could even see golf carts and people on the driving range !!!! I was pixxed when I saw all the black fungle grunge on the driveway of my old house that has not been water blasted off as per the POA code.When you stop and hold Ctrl while rolling your scroll wheel, you can do a 360 and catch that place from every angle. On a lot I own here in Las Cruces I can see a 6 foot board laying on the building pad that I left there a couple of years ago as I fly over it. And it is as clear as a bell. This is seriously good !!!!Microsoft could have seen a serious problem with their offerings and put a band aid on it ASAP.Bob - Las Cruces, NM.
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