Hello Robert
Always a problem trying to enjoy things when life's curve balls are hitting you in the ribs.
Rami's words of wisdom/setup guides are what I refer to as first port of call.
A lot of people have also done a lot of work for CFS2, and as a lot of the work has been freeware I wonder if there would be objections to someone putting a dollar value (even a small value) on that freeware.
Having said that I always appreciate any guides/information that is released. My main concern is that as people move on that the large body of knowledge will start to move on as well. That will make it harder for newbies trying to set up or oldies whose memory banks are a little faded/dusty.
Am currently dusting off FSDS, did a preliminary design for the static 3.7 inch AA gun in Google sketchup, now looking at doing it in FSDS, after that some aircraft. Repainting projects have been put on hold until I get a new graphics computer/old one repaired if repairable - current computer too many slow times/small screen causing me to loose my mojo when it comes to repaints. Will still do a few small projects in the meantime but the larger projects need some better equipment.
As part of this process I will be doing a guide which will be along the 'designing for CFS2 dummies' category but will be a supplement to the FSDS design guides done by Adam &
Caleb Flerks superb guide at http://www.cfgse.calebflerk.com/ rather than as a replacement. Basically just adding what I will/have already learnt that might be useful to anyone else. Adams guides are great but are aimed at FS2004/FSX, I will be making it for CFS2, with maybe a bit of CFS1 & CFS3 as well if I can get enough enthusiasm to add them as well. Would also like to get some of the crew to add a few chapters to it as well, once I get started will also see if Caleb Flerk/Adam want to add to it, or use some of it at their websites.
Another option would be for a dedicated team to release a regular magazine with different articles on designing/modding/campaigns-missions/repaints/airfiles/DPs/scenery/setups/links etc that could be released as PDFs allowing for a collection of knowledge to be built up - then when questions are asked we can direct them to the relevant article. There is a lot of information out there but finding it can be a problem - a lot of links have also gone so there should be backups/Plan-Bs for when that happens. There are a lot of people who have also done a lot of this who have moved on, would be great to get some of that wisdom/knowledge before that knowledge moves on as well.
Anyone else have any thoughts or want to add their two dollars worth ??????
Regards, SG