loki
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Posts posted by loki
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Unfortunately it looks like Microsoft has dropped the $1 trial offer for their PC Game Pass that would have let you easily try out MSFS for cheap. You can still sign up for one month of the PC Game Pass, but's ~$10/month, depending on your country. Could sign up for a month, cancel and buy the sim if you like it.
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Let's stay on
targettopic. If you see an issue, use the report button and move on. -
No, that doesn't make Steam malware. By definition malware is software that is doing something malicious to the user's computer, often including hiding what it does. Simply having admin access does not make a piece of software malware. Steam became popular because it offered a good balance between the convenience of buying, installing and updating games for users with fairly un-intrusive DRM to protect against the many software pirates out. Moving saved game files doesn't count as malware as the user did give permission to update the games (whether they understood that is a different topic). If you don't want it to automatically update your games, then disable it. You also don't need to keep it running if you don't want.
On the other hand, I think you have a rose coloured glasses view of buying software on CDs and DVDs. Far too many of those had DRM schemes that did actually interfere with the user's computer and did qualify as malware, breaking things like DVD burning software or outright installing rootkits without telling the user at all. Remove any of this DRM, and the game would fail to run no different than removing Steam would (and sometimes it couldn't be easily removed at all once installed). And, yes, some developers still go too far with tying their games to online DRM, but that is the fault of the developer, not Steam itself.
If you don't want to buy from Steam, most games are available in multiple online storefronts these days. MSFS itself can be bought through the MS Store or Steam, and most other games can be bought through one or more of Steam, Epic Games, GOG, Ubisoft or EA's online stores.
As for Google search, it became the most popular search engine because it was the best one around, and arguably still is.
Edit: There are also a number of games on Steam that don't require any DRM to run.
https://www.pcgamingwiki.com/wiki/List_of_DRM-free_games_on_Steam
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1 hour ago, snave said:
The scale of the pilots in the second image is unrealistic. Assuming MSFS, what is being done to correct this? How long to wait, this time? This has become a plethor of small, uncorrected issues. When do the developers plan to correct these myriad mistakes?
Which developers are you referring to? Any issues should be directed to whomever developed the Connie in question.
And again, this topic is about comparing the photos, not getting into another debate about what's wrong with the sim, or which sim is better etc.
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Let's stick to comparing the two photos shall we?
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The MSFS flight modelling has had some pretty big upgrades since launch, including the addition of a CFD model and new propeller modelling.
And a list of coming aircraft that support the new flight modelling.
https://forums.flightsimulator.com/t/new-propeller-cfd-soft-body-simulation-aircraft-list/504719
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10 hours ago, jorgen.s.andersen said:
I do not know where MSFS stands today on the topics of AI traffic and military aircraft, since I only had it on my system for about 30 minutes when it first came out.
But these are areas where P3D shines - or at least can be made to shine.
Jorgen
Check the link I shared above for an idea of what aircraft are in the pipeline for MSFS, including military ones.
Blackbird (formerly MilViz) has a Corsair out, with more coming.
https://blackbirdsims.com/flight/product_listing.php
At least one developer is working on bringing military AI to MSFS.
https://militaryaiworks.com/briefing-room/preview-of-our-first-msfs-package
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6 hours ago, BillD22 said:
The main current downside in MSFS2020 in my view is the lack of legacy jet airliners like the early Boeing and Douglas 707s, 727s DC8s, and 9s, etc., and no apparent interest by current devs in bringing them in.
One dev announced work on a 727.
https://www.thresholdx.net/news/swsfsr
PMDG brought over their DC-6.
https://pmdg.com/pmdg-dc-6-for-msfs/
Aero Dynamics is working on a DC-10.
https://fselite.net/content/aero-dynamics-dc-10-kc-10-for-msfs-progress-update/
And there are others coming. Being essentially a new sim, it will take time for devs to bring more aircraft to MSFS.
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On 4/29/2023 at 4:41 PM, jgf said:
If people are still using that program, yes. People keep websites going for years, even though they've only a fraction of the active members they once had, surely a business can support a server to let those who paid for their software continue to use it. Micro$oft no longer supporting W95 or XP or Win7 doesn't mean you cannot install and use those OS, but taking down the AS servers means those of us who paid for that software (which still "works", just has no data source now) are SOL. It also means I would not purchase from them again, how long before they take down the current servers.
There can be a pretty big difference between a relatively simple website hosted by the likes of GoDaddy and a custom server running something like Active Sky. Keep paying GoDaddy, or whoever the hosting company is, and they will keep the web servers up and running, allowing your website to stay up for years with little effort on your part. When it comes to something like Active Sky, however, a big part of the server maintenance and support falls on the developer directly, and is not always trivial. Fail to keep up with security patches and you will soon find your server taken over by anyone from script kiddies to crypto mining to ransomware gangs. Making sure those upgrades and security patches don't break your software takes time and the more software you need to test against, the more effort it takes. This might be a rounding error for a company the size of Microsoft, but for smaller outfits such as HiFi Simulations, it can quickly become a big drag on resources, taking resources away from other products.
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22 hours ago, Old School Air Force said:
I have an issue with MSFS 2020 Marketplace. I work at a US military installation in Europe, however, the only APO's the credit card application recognizes are Africa, America, and Pacific - no Europe. So I can't register my credit card to make any purchases offered in the Marketplace.
Is there another source for add-ons I can use outside of the Marketplace and can easily be added to MSFS 2020 ?
Many developers offer their add-ons for sale elsewhere, including their own sites as well as other online storefronts such as here at the Flightsim.com Store, Orbx, Simmarket and Aerosoft. Start with the developer's website and go from there.
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Yes, if you're looking for aircraft and scenery add-ons etc., then the built-in Marketplace is the only option for Xbox users. Note that prices are largely set by the add-on developers, not Microsoft.
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On 4/2/2023 at 10:52 AM, David25210 said:
Anyway, can someone suggest what exactly steam/dovetail did to Fsx code that it runs actually better? And whether I can offset this somehow in Fsx.cfg settings?
I’ve been tweaking Fsx since the release , so I am generally familiar with many useful and not so useful tweaks, however I don’t see any of those implemented in fsx-se.cfg and it still runs this better?
As Jim touched on, a number of the changes to the Steam Edition are under the hood, meaning there is no way you can apply them to the boxed version. I've copied a link to the Steam Edition release notes for reference. Note the first point regarding recompiling the sim with a more modern compiler in particular.
For tweaks, as they are very system and user dependent, you should start with the settings in the sim and then work through one of the FSX setup guides. Make sure to try each tweak individually though to see if they actually make a difference for your system and use case. Someone flying PMDG airliners is going to need different settings and tweaks than someone flying around the bush somewhere, for example.
https://kostasfsworld.wordpress.com/fsx-software-and-hardware-guide/
And with the laptops, have the fans and heat sink (dust blocking airflow etc) been cleaned recently? Laptops aren't the greatest when it comes to cooling.
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As Nels is no longer directly involved in the running of the site, it would be better to contact Adrian K about this.
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Steam will be dropping support for the Windows 7 and 8 operating systems on January 1st, 2024. Anyone still running on those systems will presumably lose access to any games bought through Steam, including FSX Steam Edition.
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In addition to the tips provided above, make sure the Microsoft Store app and Xbox Gaming Services are updated as well.
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For those looking to purchase the sim, all editions are 25% off on Steam right now.
https://store.steampowered.com/app/1250410/Microsoft_Flight_Simulator_40th_Anniversary_Edition/
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8 minutes ago, danbiosca said:
Sure you're right, but Windows Backup Image feature is perfectly valid to making a system's complete image on a USB drive, then swapping internal drives, then restoring the image on the new drive (provided it's of the same type as the original, only larger).
I've done that quite a few times.
Yes, it can be used that way, though Acronis (often included with drives these days) and other programs are usually easier to use and handle migrating to larger drives better.
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3 hours ago, danbiosca said:
Hi, even if I completely assume macrium or any other 3rd party cloning software must work great, I wonder what's the need of it, when we have the 'Backup Image" tool natively in Windows.
I'd much appreciate any comments, thanks in advance.
Those third party programs are better supported, have more features and typically work better. Microsoft doesn't really seem to care about Windows Backup Image feature at this point either as it's a little buried in the settings (I suspect they would rather you paid to use OneDrive for backing up your files).
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On 3/12/2023 at 4:59 PM, Miahflyer said:
Hi!, I would like to find out what is the easy to use software to TRENSFAR all data from my almost full SSD M2 nMve drive to a larger drive of the same kind. Or a cloning software that you may have used. So if you know of a good one then please kindly give me the LINK or name of it. Thanks.
Who makes the SSDs? Many SSD makers have a free version of Acronis True Image for this purpose. A link is often provided in the box with the SSD.
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Alright people, let's ease off on the speculation and wait for Ducktooth to respond.
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1 hour ago, ftldave said:
Microsoft gaming on Linux ... problematic in the past, present and, I expect, the future, too.
Thanks to Valve with their Steam support on Linux, there are plenty of games available on Linux now. Some, like Microsoft's sims, will probably always be an issue, but there are plenty of games to choose from. The Unreal Engine that many games use has supported Linux for over a decade now too, making it easier for developers to support multiple operating systems from the start.
https://store.steampowered.com/linux?offset=12
With the increasing levels of control Microsoft, Apple and Google are pushing, not to mention subscriptions popping up everywhere, I suspect Linux desktops could become more popular as time goes on. Dell, HP, System76 and others sell decent systems that come with Linux out of the box, which was always a hurdle for many people. I've had Pop_OS running on an old MacBook, and it runs quite well with far less hassle than I had with Linux desktop systems years ago.
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3 hours ago, Nels_Anderson said:
Has he actually installed the sim?
The way it normally works, when you start it up one of the first things it does is check for updates. Since his disk version is surely not up to date, I believe he'll be forced to download all the current updates before being able to fly. The end result is that he will have the digital version.
While it looks like they do get a MS Store key for the sim, they will still need to load disc 1 into their DVD drive.
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That is not right. As others have said, you should be able to reinstall without purchasing again. Where did you originally purchase the sim? You should try reaching to the store and see if they can help you with reinstalling using the original licence, and refund the second one.
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31 minutes ago, DaddyTim said:
I too forgot about the Marketplace for the WU. While it's not a big issue, I am curious as to why one update will start from the "Checking for Updates" screen, whereas others are located in the Content Manager.
Nevertheless, smooth update and no issues running it.
Tim (Ontario, Canada)
There are three potential parts to a MSFS update, the base update of the sim itself (Microsoft Store, Steam, the update check when the sim opens), updates to existing content (Content Manager), and new content (The Marketplace). Depending on which update is being released, you will need to check at least one of these, and possibly all.
Returning to Flight Simulation
in Newcomer Services
Posted
While I agree that the online requirements are an issue for some, I disagree on the hardware side. One could certainly go out and buy the fastest, most powerful hardware around to run the sim, but it is not needed to have a good experience.