Dan Gibson's Sad Excuse For An Article

[dangibsonsucks]

I know Dan Gibson personally. I know he spends a lot of time flightsimming and he enjoys it immensely. For him to give up his favorite hobby and his career training, says something to me. It says he has his priorities straight. All you people who criticize what he wrote, how he wrote it or what he meant, should screw off. As Gibson says "Go for a walk outside and breathe the fresh air, realize the beauty of nature." And he doesn't mean the nature on the London Heathrow scenery file. And maybe, next time you go out, you should give your loved ones a kiss, and get your ass away from your computer. Hell, cancel that 2 hour flight and spend some time with your family. Oh my God! Not a little quality time!!! Jesus!!! Ladies and Gentleman, and I use those terms loosely, Dan Gibson was right (as much as it pains me to say that) and it is time that you started realizing it, and stop criticizing him.

[helo_av8or]

I'm just curious about your login name... who's side are you on?
And besides, I spend very little time flightsimming now. Between school work, friends, and real flying, I barely have time to come to this forum. Have fun people.
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No Kitty, Bad Kitty!

[JonP01]

LAST EDITED ON Oct-10-01 AT 02:16AM (EDT)[p]That's beautiful. Brings a tear to my eye. How would you like me to "screw off"? Philips head, standard head, counter sunk, non-counter sunk, metal, wood, dynabolt, imperial thread, metric thread, copper, zinc??? Maybe you should write to President Bush and ask him to withdraw from the attacks in Afganistan as well. I mean, maybe Mr. Bush, the US, British and other allied armed forces should be given more time to sob about things and feel sorry for themselves, all and sundry rather than get on with putting things right. And don't think I haven't experienced the lowest of lows. 2001 has been the worst year of my life. These International events are just the tip of the iceberg in a series of terrible personal events for me. Forcing myself to get on with my daily routine is by far the best therapy. Seriously, if you really still feel this way, you really need to think about seeing a doctor. Your attitude certainly does not reflect the resolve and gritty determination of previous generations and, I'm sure, the majority of the present generation. I'm not saying forget - no one should "forget". But you need to get on with things and stop wallowing in misery. It's not helpful to anyone, especially yourselves.

[woodyjaxn]

Hi All

I agree with Dan Gibson, the events of September 11 will remain in our minds forever. They have affected us all, in varying degrees, in different ways.

I have been an FS enthusiast since FS4. When I got FS98, I was thrilled with it. I am retired 70 year-old and flying has been my dream for many years. In 1970, you could cut out a coupon in Flying Magazine and with that and 5 bucks you could go up in a trainer with an instructor and for 30 - 40 minutes, fly. I did that. But something else, not flying lessons, always had priority over my money and time. The years drifted by and once in a while I would bring to mind that 30 minutes in that little airplane. I still had the dream.

Long story short, I partially realized my dream through Microsoft Flight Simulator 4. I know it wasn't anything like real, but I could fly that little boxy airplane all over the country, almost, taking-off, climbing, cruise flight, descent and landing, just like real.

In August of '98, I bought a Gateway G6-350 with 9.2G hard-drive, 96M RAM, ATI Pro Rage video card, and later added 129M RAM. And then came FS98 and after that FS2000, with all the added realizm.

I downloaded files and programs like there was no tomorrow, until there was no room left on the hard-drive.

I was having fun.

September 11, 2001

I have not had the interest in flight simulation since that day. I don't know if I ever will again. It's not fun anymore.

I removed all the simulators from my computer. I removed all the files and programs, all the utillities, all the flight planners, all the aircraft, panels, even the Zip files I had accumilated. When I had finished, I had freed 6.2Gigs of space on the hard drive.

I re-installed FS2000. I load it up and sit and stare at it. I'll fly it for 20-30 minutes, maybe, and shut it down. The interest is not there. Maybe it will come back. I don't know. That's what September 11 did to me. You might say that's going overboard a bit. That's allright. Good luck to all of you.

Woody Jackson

[mith]

I guess in your case, the terrorists won.... ?

Mith

[mith]

EXACTLY!

Mith

[Paul_W]

>But you need to
>get on with things and
>stop wallowing in misery. It's
>not helpful to anyone, especially
>yourselves.

Quite. And we could urge this on Microsoft too: issue a date, release the software...let's move ahead (sort of like the President's been asking us to do).

[yv35p]

Totally agree with you Paul_W..let's move ahead!..there's no way these cowards terrorists are gonna win this one,and as is being told, this war is totally different from all the previous ones, we, the people who loves freedom, democracy, must do our part, and in my opinion, our part is to do what we've always done, the way we've done it..I'm not saying in any way to forget what has happened,that is not possible, but we must defend our freedom, specially freedom of choice..as president Bush said, go out and fly america's skies!!..or go out and do what you wanna do..c'mon!!!

[MHM49]

DEAR FELLOW FSIMMERS:

I thought what I read in Dan's Article hit home, at least for me. I've been an FS Addict since the Commodore64 Version back in the '80's. Tons of Downloads, ATC, Headsets etc.

After the Tragedy of the WTC, I have not flown again. And I think Don's words finally made me realize why.

Although it has always been supremely exciting for me to "master the skies", and to Navigate with countless wonderful FSIM Friends, I have now come to feel that this is no longer something I should be doing to the extent that I have been doing it! Averaging about 2-3hrs a day Flying Online does keep me from my Real Life Wife & Kids...and all the other experiences I should be enjoying.

And then there's re-Invisioning what I saw with my own eyes here in NYC. I used to fly between those Towers - dozens of times.

I'm sure I'll come back some time. But for right now.... I'm in no condition to be flying.

MHM

[jclay13]

I'm glad someone finally said it. ^^^^^^^^^^

[thune]

I agree with Paul !

It is time to move on.

I don't want to make light of what happened, by any means !!!

But, let's get real... Flying in the air, whether it is real, or it is virtual, is MOST CERTAINLY not what this problem is all about.

My advice is to spend some time thinking and identifying the REAL issues at hand. They are many, so be focused and realistic.

And then after that, go back to "simming" for fun and relaxation just like before.

[jbonaviso]

The man is not saying to give up Flgiht Simming. He is just voiceing his opinon. Take it anyway you want it. But don't bash the the guy for his opinon. In a way Dan is right, we spend too much time away from our family, with work,school,and Flight Simming. All the man is asking that you take a moment to stop and smell the roses, to point a frase. IE(if Microsoft never created MS FLIGHT SIM. You would be doing something else. Right?)
So to make a long story short. Get off the MANS BACK. And Grow UP. STOP CRYING AND JUST BE WHO YOU ARE.

THANKS

JOHN B.

[pipeline109]

Why is 'johngibsonsucks' complimenting the article with 'Gibson's sad excuse for an article'? and how can i spend more 'family time' when I have 100 hours a week?
Gallina Obscura
Humanity's (barely) legal alien

[jbonaviso]

You would be the Only person to notice a little mistake on my part. You must not have a life or let alone a Family. I think you are a little kid, just jerking around and not thinking about what you have, But one day you wake up and find out there is no one around any more and then you wish you would have spent more time with them or that person. WAKE UP! OR SHOULD I SAY GROW UP!!
You are the type of person that has nothin gbetter to do then CRY.. BOOO WHOOO!!! MAMA, BABY WANT TO PLAY!!! ONCE AGAIN GROW UP OR SHUT UP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!



JOHN B.


PS. HERE IS A TISSUE TO DRY YOUR EYES!!!!

[Paul_W]

This isn't very constructive is it? Why don't you calm down, turn off the caps lock...and maybe find something more worthwhile to do than sending wild messages off into the clear blue yonder. Perhaps you could spend some more time with your own family?

[thegetter]

Woody,I have been simming for almost 20 years....I hope you
can keep having fun!
regards,
thegetter!

[PeteStepanoff]

LAST EDITED ON Oct-10-01 AT 07:12PM (EDT)[p]OHHH! That was SOOOOO.. grown up, John B.

So what in the hell are you doing wasting your time in the forums! Trying to convince everyone that you are a wonderful family man?:-hmmm

Shouldn't you be spending this time with your family? You know... life is so short!:-roll

Excuse me I need to go back to my Flight Simulator!

http://www.flightsim.com/dcforum/User_files/3bbf48c15b362943.jpg

[argueman]

Cool it, gentlemen. (and women)

And, no offense to anyone, but who really gives a crap who wins??? You keep saying "you're letting the terrorists win"... I'm sick of it. Get on with your lives people. I'm from Canada, and it's hit us really hard up here. My school is still having benefit concerts for the victims of the September 11th attacks. I almost wonder, if Canada had been hit, if the American outpouring would come anywhere close to what Canadians have put in for you.

Just my two cents.

Argue

BTW, a 16-year-old friend of mine raised over 20,000 dollars for the victims of the attacks, selling little ribbons throughout Edmonton. We are your neighbours to the north, but some of us wonder if you guys even know we exist.

[yv35p]

I give a total crap of who wins..so, i'm going on with my life and this way, at least inside of me, the terrorist aren't winning

[edbanger]

On Sunday, October 7th. Terrorists were shown that Americans are not afraid to fly!

Punky

[argueman]

I agree with you. Get about your normal lives again. But to the people who can't, I see what you're going through. After Pearl Harbor, I bet people didn't get around to normal life for a while. I imagine it took them, oh, four years.

Argueman

[helo_av8or]

I make fun of Canadians in the same fashion that I make fun of Methodists. Purely in jest. I (a baptist, but beginning to just consider myself a Christian, and not waste time with labels) know many Methodists. My grandmother, former girlfriend, and countless more are all Methodists. I love them all dearly, but I kid them about being Methodist, and they kid me about being baptist. To focus this toward your subject, I make fun of Canadians in jest, but when it comes down to business, I'd sell ribbons for you guys too. Thanks Canada, and the rest of our allies. We could have done it alone, but it was much nicer having you all there. God Bless America, and God Bless Canada, and Israel, and Great Britain, and well... God Bless Us, Everyone.
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No Kitty, Bad Kitty!

[walkerhds]

>>Cool it, gentlemen. (and women)
And, no offense to anyone, but who really gives a crap who wins??? You keep saying "you're letting the terrorists win"... I'm sick of it. Get on with your lives people. I'm from Canada, and it's hit us really hard up here. My school is still having benefit concerts for the victims of the September 11th attacks. I almost wonder, if Canada had been hit, if the American outpouring would come anywhere close to what Canadians have put in for you. <<

Probably not. Unless it affected the wood, or the beer.


>>BTW, a 16-year-old friend of mine raised over 20,000 dollars for the victims of the attacks, selling little ribbons throughout Edmonton. We are your neighbours to the north, but some of us wonder if you guys even know we exist.<<

Big place up north, talk funny, lots of trees, beavers on the money, vinegar on the pomme frites? Never heard of it.

[Lou_Betti]

I saw those towers collapse right before my eyes, as I stood on the Palisade cliffs, looking down the Hudson river. Indeed, I was quite distraught, my wife as working in mid-town at the time, and I told her to "get the hell out" the moment it happened.

Last night the "smell" was back, from the smouldering wreckage of the WTC, sort of an electrical burning smell- a reminder I did not need.

What did I do shortly after all this happened on the 11th? Something I do not often have the time to do, I went flying, and I flew and flew and flew, all over Europe and the States, and I loved it. Yes, of course, it was in the sim. If I still had my Piper at TEB.. well, since I have an IFR ticket, it would have just been a hassle to file for a burger!

My love of aviation is far too deep to let it be overcome by these tragic events, and while the world may have changed due to them, and the media took their cheap shots at FS, while the FAA turned our airports into armed camps, I will not for one moment let these events stop me from doing one of the things I love most. Of course, many others have said the same.

Aviation and FS are not to blame for what took place on the 11th, they are not evil, they are not wrong.

Yes, everyone reacts a different way to these types of events, but I dare say that those who truly love aviation, both real and/or simulated would never let even events as tragic as these stop them from enjoying this endeavour.

As an aside to all this, a week after the 11th, a pilot friend and I were out to dinner, at my local "hang out". As always we talked aviation and the events of the previous week. A panicked indivdual at the bar overheard us and called the police! No problem for us, we had nothing to hide, but needless to say we were a bit shook up by the incident, especially when afterwards the person who called the police was both rude and arrogant to us, telling us that he would not apologize, and that he was an "American".

So, this coming week my friend and I will be out to dinner again; same restaurant, same seats at the bar, and no doubt the same discussion, and based on what I know of the individual who called the police on us, he will most likely be there also (he's another Tuesday regular).

There's nothing like getting back in the saddle after falling off the horse. ;-)

Don't let these savages win!

Regards,

Lou

[paladinlord]

"Pan metron ariston"Translation from Greek:You should do all things conservativelly,not exceed the limits in anything you do.That is the best.It was said by an ancient Greek filosopher and i think that was partially Dan's thought.If you do whatever you do every day by not exceeding the limits(work,flightsimming,tv or whatever else)then you will have time to spend with your family,or go for a walk,or anything else.Dan did not say "dont flightsim",he just said not to do this as it was the last thing left to do on earth.Do not become virtuall people.Organize your time.I personally sit around 2-3 hours per day and flightsim and the rest of the evening(usually it is evening)i will go out with my girl or with my friends.And i am happy in this way!Of course,this is my way.It does not apply to everyone.Do whatever makes you happy,but dont overdo it.

[dil52]

LAST EDITED ON Oct-14-01 AT 00:16AM (EDT)[p]Lou,
There are many things in life that we can not control. One of them is stupidity. I say that as a veteran of many years experience. I remember walking through the Dalas/Fort Worth airport in 1967 in a military uniform and being spit on by some flower child, so they refered themselves as at the time.

Many men and women went on to fight real combat in Viet Nam just to come home to people who had no use for them. I know first hand how bad that feels.

I'd love to confront this AMERICAN you speek of while sitting with you talking flightsimming and flying. These people who are just now self proclaimed whatevers. It's just fine to be an American these days and see the spirit, but where in the hell were they 35 years ago. I remember coming home on liberity leave and being afraid to go out in uniform. It's amazing how many people have just woken up. HELLO!!!! America!!!! It's your wake up call and I say that on behalf of all the Veit Nam Vets who have endured the pain of it all.

God Bless them.

Fred

[aman]

Not only Canada; sometimes the rest of the world doesn't know if America knows it exists!

Interesting facts:

1) Bush couldn't name the leaders of Pakistan and India, whom he was trying to help

2) 40% of interviewed American high school seniors couldn't name a single country in Asia!

Not criticizing your great country in any way, just my 1/4th cent worth...:)

[Catfish]

I have a suggestion for these fellows.

If you want to "get even", start flying military flight simms and bomb the terrorist bastards. That's the best therapy in my opinion. Somehow bombing Sadam's swimming pool just isn't satisfying anymore :)

A diehard simmer.