I've been thinking of what to say for the last couple days, so here it is. Of course this is all MY OPINION and does not represent any company I currently test for or have tested for... Who knows, I might even be wrong! That's part of the fun of discussion.
As someone who is opinionated as I am (as you all know
), I really enjoy the opportunity to discuss things on forums. When I feel I need to add criticism of some sort, it always goes through my head that everyone here's going to flame me for what I say, if it is even slightly negative. That usually doesn't stop me, and I go on to post what is on my mind. I'll admit to going overboard occasionally, but I almost always go back and fix it, usually on a little more personal level like an instant messenger.
I am a free speech advocate; however, Sim-Outhouse, and almost every other forum on the internet are not- rightfully so. It is necessary to moderate what people say in a society where there's always someone that takes offense to every word that comes out of someones mouth. Thus, it really is important to read over what you type at least a couple times before you reply.
Diego said some pretty harsh things with little to no evidence or ideas to back up his claims. I believe the moderators took the correct actions in moving the threads out of the public eye and at least temporarily banning him. (I don't know the duration of the ban) Though Diego may be gone, the problem still exists. Obviously, as Robert and FSD have not returned. As for negativity in general, by signing up on a forum, you are opening yourself up to debates and arguments. If you post a screenshot or preview of a product, you should be expecting criticism. Don't be surprised if someone follows through with it and posts something negative about your product. Hopefully, they will also post what they think is wrong and how the developer could fix it, and won't do what Diego did.
The current system is probably going to be as good as it will get. We will have to rely on people learning from their mistakes and not repeating them again. It is important that people with constructive opinions, both positive and negative, are able to express them. Readers need to remember the limitations of forum communication. If people find something to be really offensive, it is possible they took it the wrong way or the original poster didn't get their point across the way they meant to. In the cases where neither one of these is true, and it is just blatant bashing (like Diego's case), moderators must decide what to do. There will always be a need for steady-headed moderators such as the ones we have here.
Case in point,
read over what you wrote before you post it.
Another big point in this thread is quality control.
The best and cheapest way for developers to ensure a quality product is by having dedicated and experienced beta testers. The latest Carenado plane is a good example of where simple beta testing would have ensured a smoother release. A thoroughly tested aircraft is almost always of better quality. It is definitely more enjoyable for the end user. In fact that is the main reason I beta test, so people enjoy a quality product that is worth their money. A happy customer is one who will return.
I believe the customers should determine who is successful and who is not. The market is a powerful thing. Companies who produce consistent high quality products tend to be the most popular, at least in the FS community. Doing this isn't the easiest thing to do, especially when you can't please everyone 100% of the time.
Talent and time are the things that set apart the very popular developers from the lesser known, less successful ones. That is they have a lot of time to work on their products and complete them in a reasonable amount of time. Subject matter also plays a role. Some people will pay for quality regardless what it is, but I believe those people to be the minority. A Cessna (insert number here) will always sell better than an obscure WWII fighter-bomber. Selling boxes also increases sales considerably. Sim-outhouse is obviously more interested in military aircraft, but if you go to any other mainstream FS community forum, civilian aircraft rule hands down. Finally, great customer relations and support (forums, updates, etc.) are also crucial to the online community. Obviously, most flight simulator developers have their own forums and online support due to the computer and internet-based nature of our hobby.
Yes, it would be nice if everyone could succeed and make a living from FS products, but that is not the reality. The most talented and resourceful make it to the top.
I suppose that's enough for now. Much of it is common sense. Recently that common sense hasn't been as common as it should have been. It is a shame developers have decided to leave because of what certain members of the community said. The fall of ACES, hacking/loss of several flight simulator websites, and the current economic situation have all impacted our hobby in a significant way. This is definitely a time where we need to stick together. :ernae:
