Pirated Software

[Gary Summons]

May I remind users that not paying for my work  is stealing. It is no different then stealing a car or from your own mother. The main reason for the decline in the PC games industry is piracy. You Pirates are slowing killng off good software bit by bit.

I'm not a multi national  company, Im one man with a family to support, Im now finding it increasing difficult to make a living out of this job.

PLEASE USE YOUR HEAD HERE, YOU ARE SHOOTING YOUR SELF!

I will go out of business if the trend continues to grow,  then you all sit back and enjoy Mircrosoft default scenery and think back to good old days UK airport scenery.

[Tony Madge]

Gary, the new system you have of verifying via e-mail, does this mean software can still be "ripped off" if so it makes you wonder how it can be stopped

[Ryan Jackson]

I think it is sad that hard-working software developers, such as Gary, are having all their time and work stolen by a select few.
I, like many others, recently bought (and enjoyed buying) the brand new Bristol Xtreme. Why bother trying to get a 'Pirated Copy' of this wonderful product, when, for only a couple of pounds, you can get the genuine product which includes future updates for free.

It sickens me that Gary should even have to consider future 'Security features', and for what? A select few who think they are better than everyone else and steal the hard work of others.

Thats my view on the situation anyway.

[Gary Summons]

Id rather not go into the technical details, but scenery has always been an easy target. I have some new tricks up my sleeve and will be applied to all  Xtreme product updates  from now on. This  includes the important FSX SP1  update.


Its always been a problem, but seams to be getting worse. My main point is that this is jeopardising the future of FS product. As a skilled designer,  I've had many job offers to go into other areas in 3D modelling in both games and the film industry. I could certainly make a better living taking up one of these jobs but I rather carry on with what I enjoy.

[Ryan Jackson]

As a skilled designer,  I've had many job offers to go into other areas in 3D modelling in both games and the film industry. I could certainly make a better living taking up one of these jobs but I rather carry on with what I enjoy.

You are a very brave man, Gary. I, like many others, take my hat off to you. I would like to take this opportunity to state how much I am thankful for all your efforts and I hope you will continue to find ways to prevent piracy and develop ever more detailed scenery. I am sure that, when I say this, I am not only speaking on behalf of myself, but many others in the FS community;
Gary, you are a treasure to the Flight Simulation community and peoples respect for you will only continue to grow.

Well, thats what I think anyway.

[Colin Paxton]

Gary, you have made the best airport scenery I've seen.
I know what it's like as I am a professional photographer and I have had my images taken and used without permission or payment. I tried to take them to court but my costs would have been so high I couldn't!

When I get round to buying FSX (after building a new PC to run it!) I for one will be buying your scenery.

I hope you find a good way to secure your software as long as it's not Starforce...

[Tom Earl]

I echo what Ryan has said, flying around UK would not be so enjoyable without the Summons touch.

Thanks Gary.

[Shaun Howell]

Gary, you have made the best airport scenery I've seen.
I know what it's like as I am a professional photographer and I have had my images taken and used without permission or payment. I tried to take them to court but my costs would have been so high I couldn't!

When I get round to buying FSX (after building a new PC to run it!) I for one will be buying your scenery.

I hope you find a good way to secure your software as long as it's not Starforce...

I'm Just like you colin, i'm a semi-prof photographer and have had many photo's used and not paid for.

Gary does a fantastic job and i will be supporting him with his work as it is FANTASTIC.

May I remind users that not paying for my work  is stealing. It is no different then stealing a car or from your own mother. The main reason for the decline in the PC games industry is piracy. You Pirates are slowing killng off good software bit by bit.

I'm not a multi national  company, Im one man with a family to support, Im now finding it increasing difficult to make a living out of this job.

PLEASE USE YOUR HEAD HERE, YOU ARE SHOOTING YOUR SELF!

I will go out of business if the trend continues to grow,  then you all sit back and enjoy Mircrosoft default scenery and think back to good old days UK airport scenery.

Gary, if you need someone to help you finding where all these pirate copies are, let me know, i will happily help you stop the PIRACY, just give me an e-mail/PM if you want the help.

Shaun

[Geoff Becks]

Gary its not just  your viewers that steal through the web, I urge you to warn your customers that Ariane studios who produce the 737ng have stollen my money. They told me that they had no record of me buying from them even though I coppied and pasted the sale recipt that I was e-mailed. In the end as a result of by complaining and sending them a nasty email I have been completly blocked from thier site, and still I have not had the download even though they admitted it was a mistake in thier admin dept.  DO NOT BUY their products they are THIEFS

[Gary Summons]

>Ariane studios who produce the 737ng have stollen my money.

Not suprized to here that. I thought most people knew how Ariane operate and who is behind it.  I will not go any futhur.


There's a simple rule that can be applied to most software purchases, dont buy from anyone who doesn't have an open puplic forum where you can read customers comments.  Going a bit off subject buts its good advise

[dannyboy2005]

Gary - I have once came across someone on eBay selling your softwear, said it was bran new and was a cheap price. I didn't trust them because it was too cheapto be true so spent more on yours.

[Stewart Haworth]

gary,
 Wouldn't it be easier to stop the demo dowloads.I feel thats where you are vulnerable.Would a download programme where you download a file that connects you to the scenery you wish to purchase.then you have to purchase before you download.Screenshots and having the forum speak volumes,thats all you need for prospective buyers.I am sure comments about your scenery on the forum none of which are negative are enough.your scenery is acknowledged internationally even at Microsoft so i feel the demo download could be dispensed with forthwith.Keep up the brilliant work.
regards
stu

[Ryan Jackson]

I am sure Gary has considered this many times before.
Many people, dispite positive comments by other people around the world, will only buy things once they have actually 'had their hands on and tried them'.
I feel stopping Demo downloads would be a great risk, in that Gary could see a decrease in customer numbers.

[Gary Summons]

Free trials will stay, it effects the genuine users by removing that.


I have now come up with the protection system for the BGLS files.


Also the 'Passive' activation system will change to an real time active system. The Paypal fraud loop hole will be shut, and all the users who have used it will find there email address AND IP ADDRESSSES will be blocked. So you will not be able to use the FSX SP1 version of my work



For genuine users these improvement will make life easier, because

a) The BGL protection doesn't effect you if use the installer.

b) I can remove the 'keycode' you now just use your email address to activate

3) You dont have to ask me if you lose your product, just download and activate with your email again.

[Ryan Jackson]

I'm sure there is a more technical side to this than it sounds. But wouldn't non-genuine users just use somebody elses email to activate?
Overall it sounds like a good idea.