I'll give my piece then I am out of this hostile thread. Sure, maybe it doesn't belong in THIS particular thread, but rather than create another I'll put it here since the subject has already been brought up.
I'll give Alphasim credit where it is due. I really like the Gee Bee and the LongEZ. That I believe for Alphasim was a step in the right direction. I'll be the first to admit that I really like both of these planes. I'm sure there are others that I might like, but let me continue point by point.
1) Fact. There are MANY more planes from AS I DO NOT LIKE or feel do not live up to my particular standards for an FSAddon. Why do I want to spend a ton of money guessing which addon I "might" like.
2) Fact. AS no longer runs their own forums, which to many is questionable at best, especially considering that many frequented it.
3) Fact. Phil had it in his forum signature that they were one, if not the only company making software with the FSX SDK.... Sure, I may have worded it incorrectly, but since I can't go back and find it, who cares. We all saw it though.
4) Fact. Their prices are fairly high considering their competition. Whether or not you think you are getting your value for your money is subjective.
5) Fact. Phil posted a rant about the forum closure blaming in part simFlight for putting out misinformation.
6) Fact. Phil and members of the original AS forum have attacked me, and many others for what I feel are fair criticism. I only posted once asking about an update on the LongEZ and was attacked for not being a good pilot?... Ok.
It seems to me that many of the problems stem from a certain individual, who I will call out by name. It also seems to me that many of the members of the AS forum are also guilty of this.... so, with this in mind, does it seem unreasonable that a few of us take the opportunity to let a little blood when we see AS mentioned on this forum?
I won't purchase another AS addon, and I made that decision quickly after buying the Gee Bee. I saw the writing on the board. If people want to go to the unnofficial forum which just so happens to be endorsed by the same guy that makes me want to claw my eyes out when I read his posts, then so be it. You are free to do so. If however some of you think that some of us won't say how we feel about AS when such an opportunity arises, or that somehow we must adhere to the rules of the Unnofficial AS forum here... I got a surprise for you.
In fact, it kinda hurts to say this as I have some good friends over there. SimFreak being one of them. I'll continue to stay his friend as he is a gentleman and produces good videos, and I'll attempt to not vent my frustration with a company which I don't particularly care for does yet another stupid thing... primarily being driven at the helm by a madman. However, I am also part of this business... with MANY clients. I am used to bad things being said about them, my videos, and certainly the products. Shrug it off, make it better or get out of dodge I say. Alphasim could take a lesson from this.
If this makes some folks angry, I apologize. I was not directing any negative feedback directly towards you. However, when you are affiliated with people such as Phil, who makes it a point to piss on everyone's parade, be prepared to expect a bit of pissing back.
/offsoapbox.