FsPassengers is updated often...

[Needle]

It has been on the homepage for 8 months now and now I am reading a new update will depend on FSX!

This is bullsh*t. Sorry to say, but I have bought this add-on for FS2004, not FSX.

I have no intentions to buy FSX (as it will need a new computer to run), so I feel left in the cold with this add-on.
FSX is still >7 months away, with the latest update being 8 months ago I think that's no way to run a business Dan.

If my car needs maintenance I don't expect the mechanics to say, sorry....your car isn't produced anymore, we won't maintenance it. Buy
the new model and we will. Get my point?

FSPassengers was very promising and it is a good add-on, but it needs some finishing-touch. One of the reasons I bought it, was
because of the "open" structure of the add-on. New features would be implemented in time. I have checked every single day from 05-09-
05 on to check for updates and now reading this just kills me.

Finish what you've started Dan, release a final update for those not planning on buying FSX pretty soon.
There are still some bugs left in the program (like the 100h maintenance bug) and I expect this to be fixed before the release of FSX. I
have spent 30 Euro's on this add-on and (as I am unemployed at the moment) can't afford a new pc. I just want to enjoy FS2004 for some
years to come with a finished FSPassengers.

Do this and I will keep on supporting this great add-on. I (and many others I guess) would be very disappointed if you walk away from it
now.

Thanks for listening,
Needle.

[WBHoenig]

You have to remember the complexity of this addon. This isn't some plane, but this is 60,000+ lines of C code to look over and hamper out bugs in.
That wouldn't be so hard in a company with three or more devs. But when one man is managing it himself, don't expect monumental update speed. Plus
he has to manage this forum and website.

I would never say that Dan is giving up FsP; that simply will not happen. Besides, FsP has quite a low bug count and most bugs have been
hampered out by our resident 'volunteer-programmers'.

But you do have a point.

[Jason]

Not only what is said above but also MSFS2004 has more bugs than FsP....

If you wanted a bug free game playing experience, you'd of dropped MSFS2004 before you ever even knew about FsP.

[Air France]

Needle,

I agree with you but Dan works really hard. I would love to have new stuff for FSP, new options ect...

[JayKae]

I see what you are saying but let us say you have a car that is due for replacement would you knowingly get one
that is of this year's
model range or get the new model if the release date of the new model is already known ?

I know what I would do Again I see what you are saying but in my honest opinion there is hardly anything more to
wish for in FsP 2004
as a matter of fact I wish that a lot of addon producers would bring out such a completed product, I will give you an
example, there has
been 7 ( SEVEN !!!!! ) updates/fixes for Ground Environment since its release not even two months ago ( not
saying that
GE is a bad product on
the contrary actually ) but see what I am saying ? FsP needed one minor update bout 2.5 months after its release
and that fixed the
problems that some users were having back then.

I am not attacking your opinion, I am just giving you mine

[Needle]

Hey guys,

I don't feel attacked at all. It's good to read about anyone's opinion, like you took the time to read mine

Perhaps I was too quick on my judgement, but it was how I felt after reading about the updates somewhere else on this forum.
I know Dan did a great job, I can't imagine flying without FSP anymore, but I still feel there should be one last update to even make it more
perfect.

So, let me rephrase my initial post:
Dan, please, would you consider making one final update?

Thanks for the replies,
Needle.

[DBE]

Hi Needle,

I perfectly understand your point of view! As yourself, I can remember how boring it was to fly without FsP and would certainly wait until "FsPX" was
ready before even considering purchasing FSX!

However I wouldn't worry if I were you: knowing Dan (and Microsoft) I would be very surprised if there wasn't at least one further update..



Post Edited ( 05-04-06 11:04 )

[RonMac]

Good Post.

However, I cannot agree with argument.

To me FSP has been possibly the best program add on I have seen for Fs2004. It makes teh sim have a really fun, and frustrating(!!)
point in booting it up.

It did not cost a great deal, and Dan is worthy of any and all the money he has made on this.

If FsX moves the goalposts, Dan will have to see SDK (whenever), look at it carefully, and see whether its worth his time and effort to
possibly create a completley new add on. Of course it all may work fine as it is! Strange things happen in computer land.

I bete tested Fs 98, so have a fair idea of stuff involved, and I do recall at that time, Compuserve forum panicking about what may, or
would not work with Fs98. If I recall most did with possibly a few tweaks to different memory addresses. I do know that FsX and indeed
2004 are miles away from Fs98, but so are computer rigs!

I suppose we and Dan will just have to wait and see! However, we may find a similar Ms passenger inclusion in new sim, but t it would
have to be damn good to match FsP, 100 hour bug or not.

[Anastasios]

I also understand what Needle is saying. I'm not planning on buying FSX. I would also have to buy a new computer and FSX would
propably be 'booring' again after a few weeks, as no add-ons will be released yet.

I have SO MANY freeware and payware add-ons for FS9 now, FS9 is almost complete for me and I believe I can enjoy it for a few years
more. I don't need FSX yet.

If FSP would continue to update only for FSX in the future, I'm afraid I'll'just have to stick with what I have now and the FSP-forum and
download sections would have no use for me anymore.

I wouldn't like it if it would be that way, personally I think it's too early for Microsoft to release FSX, because I believe we're not finished
with FS9 yet.

Tasos.



Post Edited ( 05-04-06 16:47 )

[Boston234]

I don't understand this post at all? Dan made a great (excellent) product with very little problems. It is used by many, many fs-simmers.

Needle wrote, "If my car needs maintenance I don't expect the mechanics to say, sorry....your car isn't produced anymore, we won't
maintenance it. Buy the new model and we will. Get my point?"

I don't see how this fits this software? Is FSP broken? Is it not working? If it works, why do we need an update? I wish I could go to my
mechanis and say.. "Yah, know what, Stevie? I bought this car last year, but GM has a new, more powerful engine in their new line of
cars, so swap my old one out and put that new engine in, and Stevie, by the way, it's free right??"

The program does what it says it will do. Why does Dan "owe" us anything more? It runs, and he has fixed most, is not all, of the minor
bugs. Why should he offer more "features" for free? Short answer is he doesn't have to.

You bought this software, it works, enjoy it. I say "use it for FS2004". We don't even know if Dan will have FSP for FSX, or even if it's
needed. So keep FS9, use FSP, and don't worry; be happy.

IMHO, the only reason an update is needed is for serious bugs, etc. Not for us to get "free", new features. If you want the deluxe model (if
it's offered), then pay for it.

I hope this post is not coming off offensively, but give Dan credit for a great product, great support, and for what we got, it's worth the price.

[huskydude]

I concur, Dan has done a great job!

I write code and know how difficult it is make things work and to enhance. I was a betatest pilot for MS for FS3, FS4, and FS5. FS2004
has come a long way and FSX I'm sure will be the best ever. I still use FS98 in my Win98 laptop when I'm gone on business trips. But I
cannot afford to upgrade and will not. I will continue make F2004 the best based on what I have amassed, bought, and written code for.
I hope to some day to build a small cockpit arrangement for my FS2004, just to do it.

However, FSP is awesome and I hope to see some more enhancements. But if they don't come, I won't feel slighted...



Post Edited ( 05-04-06 18:53 )

[poden]

FSP is definitely a well done addon as seen from a "quality" perspective. While it has bugs and problems, none are crippling, and the player is
generally able to successfully utilize the addon. There are a few workarounds one has to perform to get it to do what one wants it to, but none of the
workarounds are particularly troublesome. The ability to turn off penalties adds greatly to its versatility. While I'd like to see some improvements
and fixes (as we all would), I don't let any of the problems detract from my enjoyment.

So, here's to Dan's fine product!

And here's to hoping Dan can do some fixes sometime!

And heres to (oops)

[ste9889]

hmmm, interesting topic...

Needle wrote, "If my car needs maintenance I don't expect the mechanics to say, sorry....your car isn't produced anymore, we won't
maintenance it. Buy the new model and we will. Get my point?"

i get your point totally, but you know, FsPassengers is pretty good ATM, sure i could have a few things added/removed here and there but
im happy to wait for now.

[Stringfellow]

Well, I have to put my "two cents worth" in. As one of the early beta-testers for FsP, Dan put in a lot of long & late night hours into his
creation. He opened the door not only for testing, but for creative input. That impressed me as well as others. And he did listen and
serioiusly considered all suggestions and ideas. Several were incorporated into FsP. All of which made a fantastic program. I also
commend his family for letting him take on such a project.

FsP is a well rounded add-on that is complex enough to keep our interests from now on, but also has a beauty of simplicity to
understand and use as well. I can say that it does not slow down Flight Sim at all that I can tell. None of it's elements get in the way, etc.
FsP really completes FS9 by giving it a real world purpose. It can be used with any plane, scenery, etc. In fact it practically works
independently and it has options for expansion by the user as well as personal such as Company banner, pilot and such.

Dan polished this program for weeks, tweaking code here and there. All the beta testers know how much effort he did to make FsP as
best as it could be. I believe he reached his goal. Most times adding a little change in the code of a program can create a wide gash of
riddled bugs that weren't there before.

If enough suggestions/requests given that were practical enough and really be useful in FsP, I could see where Dan might take on a
major upgrade. (of course that would be Dan's decision) But with FSX just over the horizon, I don't see that upgrade being practical in
efforts without having the data needed to be sure that it would be compatable with FSX also. When the needed information/code is
available to make such an upgrade or new version possible, that's when it should be even possible to do.

Stuart G.
Owner of Templar Air [img]8)[/img]

[Anastasios]

I think we're missing the point here a bit. It is not just about the update. We can all agree that Dan made a great product, no doubt about
it. The discussion is about (I think) the question if FSP will continue with FS9 or FSX. That's what this is about.

I also believe that many users would be dissapointed if FSP continues with FSX, but I can understand Dan if he chooses to do so.
But that's the point of this discussion I think.

Tasos.