AVSIM UPLOAD!
The
R4D version 4.75 is now available at AVSIM OnLine, for those of you who have
been awaiting this news.
However, for some inexplicable reason, the upload of our
R4D v4.75 for FS2002 Package was, initially, posted in the AVSIM Library without
the description I wrote for it and which I sent to AVSIM and other sites. This would have been inconvenient and
troubling enough, but still only a nuisance, except for one thing. The AVSIM librarian had put up his own
blurb, taken out of context from my “readme.txt” as a “file description, in its
stead. Still, no big deal, right? Well,
sure -- except that he had chosen the
most negative sentences in the whole document!
They did not describe what the package contains – only what it does
not! More importantly, he had left out
all the details about the package being Donationware and time-limited!
Tom Allensworth, AVSIM OnLine’s founder and publisher,
has now corrected the situation and tells me that “only” 106 downloads were
made before it was fixed. Well, that’s a
potential of $530.00 in donations to MAAM jeopardized, as I see it, and 106
ticked off down-loaders! So if you were
one of those 106 and found your way here, please read on. NOTE: There are some unrelated, but
important notes to others, too, down toward the bottom of this post.
Following are both “file descriptions” for your comparison. First, the one I submitted for inclusion:
R4D-6
(DC-3) version 4.75 for FS2002 -
Updates the
world's most-downloaded FS plane and panel. All new gauges, sound.cfg, and flight
model make it compatible with FS2002. It's complete, but time-limited
Donationware. Free to Donationware CD
owners, MAAM donors, and members. $5
registration fee goes to the Mid Atlantic Air Museum to help re-engine the real
R4D. Requires FS2000 R4D installation.
by and Roy
Chaffin and Bill Rambow
Now the AVSIM librarian’s choice of words:
File Description:
This version does not contain any changes to the physical aircraft model
(***.mdl or Model.cfg files) This means it does NOT include a virtual cockpit,
rolling wheels, telescoping struts, or working landing lights. It was never the
intent of the team to produce a complete redesign of the entire package for
FS2002 at this time. We have too many other pots on the fire and deadlines are
looming. This is not to say Jan Visser won't update the aircraft model files at
a later date. If and when he does, we promise not to charge anything for it!
:-) (MR)
Once again, this second bit was the AVSIM librarian’s (MR’s) chosen “File Description”. I’m not going to take the time to put his excerpt into context by reproducing the whole “readme.txt” here. You will see for yourself when you read that document (as I really hope that you will ;-).
Do you see why steam was coming out of my ears when I read this? What makes it far worse, personally, is that
when I discovered this screw-up, I had just posted the following (and a
lot more!) to the Flightsim.com FS2002 Forum in reply to a complaint about the
concept and use of the word “Donationware”:
“I took great care
in the FILE ID, every press release, the readme, and every forum post to let
everyone know up front what the expectation was from us, and what the
limitations were on you. I thought (silly me) that if I didn't try to trick
anyone, everyone would be free to make his decision before committing to a
lengthy download, and no one would have (just) cause to complain.”
Now do you see why it
was high pressure, live steam venting from the old aural canals!! Roy is usually the partner in charge of
getting steamed on our team ;-) – but not
this time!
As I said, Tom
promptly attended to the mix-up, so all is well now. He has also given me the proper address for my Press Release (see
below), so I’ll get that off to him and I’m certain he’ll see to that, as well.
I am very happy that removal of the
file from the AVSIM site was not necessary, because a number of you good folks
have asked for the file to be uploaded to AVSIM, specifically because their
library supports resumed downloads.
We value our
relationship with AVSIM, which fine organization has always supported the MAAM
cause since we first brought it to the attention of the FS community, and who honored
us with their Bravo Zulu award, naming the R4D both BEST PLANE, and BEST
PANEL for 2000! Also, Steve “Bear” Cartwright,
a senior reviewer on staff at AVSIM, made our DC-3 packages his pick for best
Freeware Aircraft this year, as well, against some wonderful competition!
Because of all this
history, and because I know Tom and a number of his senior staff, and the class
operation they run, I’m very happy to tell you all is now well. If anyone was inconvenienced by the lack of
correct info concerning the nature of this package, we are all sorry. Hopefully, no lasting damage has been done to our reputation and that of the
Mid Atlantic Air Museum.
OK, to other items: Neither
AVSIM, nor Flightsim.com have managed to post the Press Release I sent
them, (which would have somewhat alleviated any misunderstanding engendered by
the aforementioned goof-up. Flightsim.com, in particular, (Thanks Nels ;-)
was surprisingly prompt getting the R4D 2k2 package up, despite the Christmas
rush/slow-down. But neither site found
time to post my Christmas message Press Release in a timely manner. Perhaps I screwed it up somehow –wouldn’t be
surprised, or maybe the news departments weren’t working, although the files posting
people were? As I said, Tom will
receive the PR and get it up right away, and I hope Nels will not be far
behind.
In any case, following
is my no-longer-so-timely PR for your
perusal. You may have unwrapped all your
presents, but it is still not too late to give one to the grand old lady known
as R4D-6 #50819 at MAAM. To all you
great guys (a very heart-warming number of you) who have already done
so, flooding the MAAM web-page and office with donations, our deepest thanks,
on behalf of the team and MAAM for your generosity. Rest assured, Roy, Pete, and I are burning the midnight oil (our
usual state of being) to get you your key codes in an expeditious manner.
I’ll also take this
opportunity for one last bit of illumination. If you are scrupulously following the instructions in the “readme.txt”
concerning donating on-line, you may be confused by the donation links at
MAAM. We intended for there to be a
special, registration- dedicated page by this time. But, I'm afraid we have caught the MAAM web-master flat-footed. Many peopled have ferreted it out for
themselves, though, found their way to the existing Engine Fund donation page
and plunked down their five (or more ;-) bucks. That’s fine. For now, it’s
the best and fastest way to go, if you are using a credit card, short of catching
Pete in the office by phone (which you certainly may do!) You may then make a copy of the e-mail
receipt you’ll get and send that off to Pete, Roy, or me and we’ll issue your
personal key code lickety-split, with our thanks – IF you remember to copy send
your R4D_2k2 serial number. We can’t
generate the code without it. All
together now, “It’s all in the readme text!” Nicely done – I hear the
Vienna Boy’s Choir has a few openings. J
We hope to have the dedicated registration page up soon – please bear
with us.
By the way, in case
you missed the announcement on the main MAAM donation page, you will NOT be
charged the $3.95 shipping charge shown on the e-mail receipt in addition to
your donation-- only the $1.00 credit card handling fee mentioned in the readme
will be debited from your credit card.
The receipt you’ll get was generated by the browser, whereas the actual
charge to your account is made by Pete, the MAAM Program Coordinator. He swears on a stack of DC-3 technical manuals
that he’ll only charge you $6.00 total! J
Hoping your Christmas
was wonderful and the New Year ahead will be all that you wish.
Bill Rambow Dec.26,
2001