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  • Please see the most recent updates in the "Where did the .com name go?" thread. Posts number 16 and 17.

    Post 16 Update

    Post 17 Warning

Throwing in the towel

bazzar

Charter Member 2018
Well, I never thought I'd see the day but I have had enough. At going on 62, I've got better things to do than spend my time defending our work and arguing the toss over issues where we have no right of reply.

We've been building these things for 11 years now and over that time, we have made practically all our stock available to SOH members for nothing, supported in other ways, built freeware aircraft and more.

It seems to me that nothing is good enough anymore for a lot of people around here. Your level of expectation will result in fewer choices and higher prices and eventually you will surely kill this hobby. We certainly don't seem able to take a trick.

I cannot stand to see the disappointment on our people's faces when a slashing attack is made on their work from out of nowhere, based on the observation of a few screenshots. NOBODY makes any money out of this business. There are no "big boys". The market is miniscule and is served mostly by passionate individuals who support their hobby by building for it. What they make out of it barely covers the IT bill.

When I see boys and girls working 18 hour days for months to get these things out and then have it all smashed by some unfeeling person who thinks they're the bee's knees in aviation, it makes my blood boil.

For God's sake most of these things cost less than a couple of coffees and a piece of cake. Do you make this kind of fuss every time you go to a cafe?

So I'm going back to my life, working to produce more add-ons and trying to make ends meet.

Thanks go to Ickie and all the guys here for an entertaining 10(?) years and many fonder memories. I will savour those at least.

In the last 18 months we have produced 20 releases for various people. You will see quite a few new additions this year. So slag away- the only difference is that I won't be around to reply.

Cheerio.:engel016:
 
I can truly understand your feelings on this. Every day I ask myself the same question of "is it really worth it?". I doubt I will ever find a definitive answer to that question. Simming is a hobby for me, and so is making aircraft. If I can make a little money doing my hobby, im happy. As it is though, I cant make enough money to live off my hobby with the current situation flight simming is in. Too few customers, and the few that are left are the really REALLY hard core users that are the most picky of the lot.

When it comes down to it, I just remember im making these aircraft for me, and im just happy that other people can enjoy them. Im also really happy if I can make a few $ on the side. Helps me pay for a $100 hamburger every now and then. :icon_lol:

I hope you dont leave flight simming though, as out community is getting smaller and smaller.
 
Same here... sorry to see ya go buddy. I hear what you are saying though... a damn shame too since not a lot of people can do what you all can do.

Part of the issue I think is that not a lot of people know the difference (or relationship) between Aeroplane Heaven and Just Flight. Maybe people would not be so quick to judge if they knew a small group of enthusiasts is actually behind many of "Big" Just Flight's most successful releases.

Not a easy way to earn a buck payware.... maybe the FS stores will start hiring cheap Chinese workers working in sweat factories to give consumers cheap cutout imitations...... FS may be becoming part of Wally World... just head over to Wal-Mart.... be stuck with buying Abacus...... serves them right!!

EDIT: Yeah I echo Kevin's statement... please don't leave flight simming as a fan.... not too many of us left. Come back over to the enthusiasts side and enjoy flying and friends.... everyone else... well ya know. :^)
 
For God's sake most of these things cost less than a couple of coffees and a piece of cake. Do you make this kind of fuss every time you go to a cafe?

QUOTE]

Actually if the coffee is cold and the cake is not right then to be honest I would do!

That said I have many of your works of art in my hangar and apprechiate your hard work and dedication over the years. Thank you.
 
Baz, there's been plenty said here already. I agree with all those who replied.

I will say this though. What I saw posted in the other thread, was BS. I replied, although I felt like saying (many) a few choice words.
 
You know the really sad part is for every whiney bugger that gripes over trivial things there are 10 times as many who appreciate and truly enjoy these excellent models, it's a shame that the few that trash hard work such as bazzar puts out can drive a good developer away. If they had something worth complaining about it might be different but to trash a model because a line is too short or a font is too big is pointless. I would love to see some of these guys do half as good a job on a model, right they can't so they put down someone else to cover for their own lack of talent, makes me sick.

Bazzar, I am very sorry to see you leave and hope you reconsider at some point, I know many (me included) have not shown the support and appreciation we feel for your work, but believe me the folks that like and respect your contributions are in far greater number than the few that have to resort to nit-picking.
 
AND the A-Holes win again

Amazing how easy it is to write things on a forum you wouldn't have the courage to say in person.

I am relatively new here and don't know who all the developers are but this is such a sad way to learn who is (or was) who. I have tons of airplanes and have always shyed away from the forums but at almost 65 ...

Thank you for all your hard work and best wishes. Jim
 
Please reconsider.

I saw the comments and it has not changed my opinion on the product. If the individual involved really wanted to offer constructive criticism they would have sent you a PM or a note, not stated it publicly. No, the intent was to denigrate, which speaks more to that individual than the product they were commenting on.

However, its a fact that when you put up a public offering, people are going to comment. So please don't take it personal and reconsider your decision.

I was personally pleased with your efforts. Hey, we can't let the terrorists win can we?
 
Hi Baz .... sorry to see you go. I have ALL of your products and the ones you have produced for JF.

I know a couple of replies in the thread I started about the DC-6 were way off line. Some of the comments I saw there should have been dealt with via PM or they keep their fingers away from the keyboard.

Anyway keep your chin up mate and in true Aussie style ... kick arse. Any models you create from now on I am only too happy to see if I can break them for you.
 
Hey Bazz, I remember when you came into this, I had just started Simtech Flight Design and we were flying high on our cfs2 Dora release. You were here in this with me and then you started your own enterprise, and man you built some dang good stuff too. I have lost 3 great teams due to this very thing, now I'm solo cause I cant bare to bring in any one and see them get so disappointed with the way sales go, so how things are received from time to time. You really do have to have the back of a goose and just let the sheeeiit slide off you.
I know it is hard to walk away at this time, I took a 3 year break and now with Cr1 I just do it for fun only and money is so far back down the line I cant even see it.
It took me 15 years to get to this point and I will be here forever. I hope you will find solace in the fact that you guys build a lot of the best add ons around here and you contributed to a community that yes sometimes they forget how hard it is to build one of these virtual master pieces, but in the end I think most of them are beginning to understand the time it takes.

Good travels and drop in from time to time. You are welcome to drop into Cr1 any time and have a beer.

Tom Wood
Lead Designer.
 
Bazz, I completely understand where you are coming from. Anyone who produces something for the flight sim world today has to have thick skin. It shouldn't be that way but that is the way it is. Your products have always brightened my experience in flight simulation. Thanks for all you have done for us and I hope, just hope you reconsider at some time.

Thanks again good friend. You are much appreciated.:icon_lol:
 
I have not been around MSFS or SOH as long as many of you guys, but I also really get discouraged whenever I see one of these kinds of threads...

always started by someone who has been around a long time, usually someone who has contributed greatly to the community in one manner or another,

and always as a result of some relative newcomer with no resume, nothing of value given - just aspersions and opinions of questionable validity.

(sometimes however - I think of a competitor creating a new, temporary identity solely for the purpose of upsetting the 'other team' - I'm a conspiracy theorist from waay back lol)

Baz - please just tilt your cap slightly forward on your bean and plow ahead regardless - your team does great work and we like having developers around...after all -its you guys who class the place up...:kilroy:
 
Many years ago something similar happened. I posted a long post about the difference between "critique" and "criticism". Maybe that thread needs to be resurrected?

One thing I have learned over the years is to develop a thick skin, but never ignore either critique or criticism. We all (dev's and customers) to learn to get along togeather.
 
Whoa! You're sort of a legend in this hobby and as others have said, it would be a shame if you truly leave without just taking some time off. As you clearly stated, it's clearly hard to continue working what amounts to a labor of love translated into someone's harsh critique. I'll be the first to admit, I haven't always been silent about my dismay with some tools, scenery or aircraft, but never with an intent to drive them out of the business.

Although some of your aircraft are not my cup of tea, DC-6 being one, but it still looks great. I am always eager to look at your works in progress on your website to see how much better FSX will become. You are correct in also stating that as more and more developers leave this hobby, our selections will become more and more scarce, prices will increase and FSX will cease to exist.

I hope you will re-consider, much as Diego did and realize there are many more supporters than nay sayers and if the nay sayers don't like it, don't buy it. Plain and simple.

Regardless of your destiny, thank you for what you did bring to one of my favorite hobbies that's legal and moral, not that I do anything immoral or illegal, unless speeding counts.

Matt
 
I think I had better put the record straight here before people get entirely the wrong idea.

I am not "retiring" from the business, just from public forums. I am going to concentrate on the workload we have going on here and keeping our customers happy - that's all I really care about. I just can't stand all this squabbling anymore, it knocks the fun of these things right out of the park.

So, many, many thanks to those who have spoken words of encouragement and support, not just now but over the years too, I am deeply touched (but then you knew that:icon_lol:)

I can promise you that we are busy as at the moment and you will be hearing of many more new releases but it just won't be me giving you the news I'm afraid.

AH may even get round to making one or two things for our own shop one of these days....
 
I think what a lot of people are forgetting is that Bazz was a victim of the massive floods that hit Brisbane last year and like the mythical Phoenix has risen back to where he is now. My hat is off to him as I doubt I could have come back as he has.

Typical Aussie spirit. Keep up the great work mate ...... form one Aussie old fart to another Aussie slightly younger (by 3 years) old fart :).
 
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