While this action is understandable, it is the wrong direction to take. It sends a message to those who would destroy our hobby that they've won. If the talented and dedicated people who run these sites give up, what message does that send to the rest of us? We might as well sell our computers and tell the companies that make the products we enjoy so much to stop - we're no longer interested.
Instead, the answer to pirates is keep those sites open, keep producing freeware that rivals the best any commercial product has to offer, send a message we will not let you destroy us.
It's easy to become discouraged and give up. It's hard to take a stand and fight. But that's what we in the flightsim community - all of us - must do. If we stand together against piracy, we will win, our community will grow stronger, and our hobby will continue to grow.
If we do not, it will wither and die. Does anyone who considers himself or herself a true flightsimmer want that?
Matt Ried
kulshan1@rochester.rr.com
