the dead zone

[J7G]

My reasons for not posting much anymore:

-FSX is a dead dodo and my interest has moved to DCS.

-This forum is mostly about posting pretty pictures rather than flight simming most of the time.

-Any topics other than those are often people having rants about irrational things.

My thoughts are only worth what you paid for them.

[toprob]

My reasons for not posting much anymore:

-FSX is a dead dodo and my interest has moved to DCS.
-This forum is mostly about posting pretty pictures rather than flight simming most of the time.
-Any topics other than those are often people having rants about irrational things.
...

Hit the nail on the head. Given that from memory the 'C' in DCS stands for 'combat', though, there will always be a need for a home for us non-combatants, so how about signing up to write a DCS blog? If you can't beat 'em...

If you do, I'll stop my rants:)

Actually, that's something I've mentioned, the 'grumpy old bar...d' bias here, which could easily be dealt with, by being drowned out by a younger bunch.

[ardypilot]

My two cents, having witnessed two forum migrations over NZFF's lifetime:

Even after I stopped simming regularly, I would often stop by from time to time on the old format forum and scroll through the Latest Topics link at the bottom of the front page to see if there was anything that took my interest. The layout of information, who had posted it, when it was posted and content was easy to read and respond to. I haven't been involved behind the scenes here for a long time now, but the new look circa 2015 just doesn't do it for me, even when selecting a theme I felt mimicked the old layout.

I also think FS was more of a winter thing, something for when it's cold and miserable out in the 'real world'. I'm pretty sure my interest levels spiked come the middle of the year rather than each end of it, so that might have a part to play in what's making the forum feel quiet at the moment?

Thirdly, instead of going to forums, I tend to split my online time between blogs and social media, and follow discussions on those formats much as I did on the forum a few years back. Smartphones certainly play a greater role in my life now than ever before, and I for one am not a fan of taptalk, nor the appearance of the desktop version of NZFF on the small screen.

[toprob]

Since I was quick to use Tapatalk when NZFF switched (I've used it for a while for other sites), I hadn't even looked at the full site on my phone -- interesting to see that it just lands on a plug for the Tapatalk app:)

I must admit I much prefer Tapatalk on my phone, it really hones in on the important stuff -- defaults to unread posts, for instance -- although the Windows 8 app which I use on the tablet is a bit clunkier, and I have to navigate to the interesting bits.

And easier to post on the phone, in spite of the smaller screen, because my phone uses a swipe keyboard, rather than a tap-tap-tap on glass.

Unfortunately the average age here might rule out some modern options -- how many here would use NZFF if it switched to Facebook or Twitter? I love Facebook for Godzone, but you can't substitute for the searchable database on a forum. But as I said earlier, something which integrates a lot of different ways of communicating -- including social media and blogs -- lets people choose how to track the community. I may have a Twitter account lying around here somewhere, I just need to clear some of the dust off my pileocrap...

One of the ideas I want to float for a blog covers coming to terms with new ways of doing things. There is a real knee-jerk reaction to all things new here at NZFF, in a world where Facebook and Windows 8 are well-entrenched and accepted in the 'real' world. Change happens, and generally it makes life easier, and if you are careful, cheaper. Sure, we are keen to hang onto our retro hobby, but that doesn't mean living in 2004, or even 2006:)

[omitchell]

-FSX is a dead dodo and my interest has moved to DCS.

I disagree, it's my prime sim and will be for years to come.

If you do, I'll stop my rants:)

I refuse to let you do that. I'll have nothing to read when I'm drunk

[Ian Warren]

+ .. It's the community thing , lot help here and lot off new scenery incoming tho I'm a bit slack myself.

[Splitpin]

I thought i just posted a reply to all this ... but i don't think i clicked on " post" so without wanting to go thru the whole thing again , the guts of it was ....
I never meant to insinuate that the forum was compulsory .... and if posting "pretty" pictures is a crime , well lock me up ... because thats what i enjoy , and the stats from the old forum back that up.
Horse's for courses i think .
I most certainly did not mean to make members feel they need to justify not being here.
This forum , has been , and is,a sanctuary for me ... those that know me will know what i mean .
I've been told off , had posts removed ... and i 100% agree with those actions ... i have ranted irrationally ... and apologized ... but , i have also been counselled , and supported here through some bloody hard times .
I have also made some great friends .... and i was worried that this maybe coming to an end ... nothing more .

So , please , go where you feel comfortable , do what you enjoy ... and enjoy it.
I really struggle to maintain 100% concentration most of the time (driving for example is becoming harder and harder) ... but here (forum) Im ok ... i was just trying to protect that , selfish i know .... but , thats how it is these days for me.

[Ian Warren]

.... and if posting "pretty" pictures is a crime , well lock me up ... because thats what i enjoy

Well cripes! I'm just trying out my updated Texan , FSX aint dead , the screens I could take , every part of this is still growing , going to be a while before some off the view are boring .. .. flying back up the West Coast photo-real in a weather theme and YEAH! ... this Sim has many years left in it and for those who navigate via maps and atlas's , good thing is most scenery's can be transferred across , still a good base to work on.

[emfrat]

.... and if posting "pretty" pictures is a crime , well lock me up ... because thats what i enjoy

Well cripes! I'm just trying out my updated Texan , FSX aint dead , the screens I could take , every part of this is still growing , going to be a while before some off the view are boring .. .. flying back up the West Coast photo-real in a weather theme and YEAH! ... this Sim has many years left in it and for those who navigate via maps and atlas's , good thing is most scenery's can be transferred across , still a good base to work on.

Couldn't agree more - more than once, a screenie has made me say "Why doesn't mine look like that?" and some investigation has led to the fix. Never having set foot in NZ, I just don't know what it looks like, so I depend on other peoples' screenies to show me. My entries in the Screenie Comp should be reproducible by anyone with the same setup as mine, for that reason. I don't try to improve screenshots, I just use IrfanView to crop, or resize and resample.
As to the Texan, it does have a propellor, so it can't be all bad, but to me it just doesn't look right. That huge canopy makes it look like a little aeroplane trying to look like a really grown up jet

[Ian Warren]

Texan, it does have a propellor, so it can't be all bad, but to me it just doesn't look right. That huge canopy makes it look like a little aeroplane trying to look like a really grown up jet

Little like this .... It just so hard to choose

[emfrat]

[omitchell]

Awesome screenshot Ian, where can I download the people???

[Ian Warren]

Awesome screenshot Ian, where can I download the people???

What , ya want ta put there ugly mugs into a cockpit

[Ian Warren]

:clap:

A good Classic from 1985 .. so well done

[Fozzer]

Me?.... ....

...ever since Flight Unlimited II, Pro Pilot 2 and FS '98, I have always been a Flight Sim, General Aviation Pilot, concentrating on small piston props, the sort of aircraft that the average punter may realistically be able to afford to purchase, or share!

I must admit that Military aircraft, or Jumbo Jets, never did float my boat, and still don't.

The trouble is, I'm probably classed as a; "Boring Old Fart" mostly interested in; "Touring the landscape" in a Microlight, so I am mostly on my own on the Forum when it comes to "General Aviation".

Screen shots?.....I am so excitedly scouring the landscape below me in my little aircraft, that I completely forget to press; "Print Screen"... ...!

I used to "play" CFS 2 at one time, on Multiplayer, but I got fed up with constantly being shot down and dying...it was getting depressing!.... ...!

I have spent practically every day! since Flight Unlimited II, touring the World in my imaginary aircraft, and therefore gaining much knowledge about places that I will never be ably to visit in real life!

A big part of my life (35 years!) has been spent sat/glued in this computer chair since the birth of Sir Clive Sinclair's Spectrum 48k Computer.

Note to self;..."Must get out and about more"... ...!

Paul.... .... ....!

[omitchell]

I must admit that Military aircraft, or Jumbo Jets, never did float my boat, and still don't.

Try taking a 747 into Toncontin in the middle of winter, just might make ya convert *Evil sadistic grin*

[Fozzer]

I must admit that Military aircraft, or Jumbo Jets, never did float my boat, and still don't.

Try taking a 747 into Toncontin in the middle of winter, just might make ya convert *Evil sadistic grin*

...time to die?...... .... ...!

Actually, compared to my Mates at Sim V, most/all of the NZ Pilots, Solo and Multiplayer, are mostly serious Commercial/Military Sim Pilots complying with "the rules", which mostly leaves the likes of little-old, General Aviation, me, out in the cold!

I have terrible problems with being; "too serious" (VATSIM?) at most things!.... ....!

(Its only a computer game!).... ...!

Paul.... ..!

[omitchell]

...time to die?...... .... ...!

More like time to change your diaper. Makes Kai Tak look like kindergarten...

[towerguy]

hey guys,
even though I don't always post every time I visit I DO visit almost every day and sometimes more than once a day, I like to keep up with who's doing what to who. So it may look quiet but we are most of us still out here.

On the flight simming front things are in a state of hold at the moment although still moving slowly. I WILL post some photos soon I promise.
The man cave has now been built, lined, painted, carpeted and now has power, lights, phone and internet at last. I spent my last days off moving the office out from upstairs and carrying it down the back garden to set up.
Then I cleared out the junk piled on top of the cockpit. It has been about 18 months of renovating/extending the house and the sim was buried under the storage pile - hence no work done on it. Finally got it clear only to find the Borer had had a nibble on one corner so had to do a bit of borer-fuming. Anyway, a few more days cleaning and painting to do before I can get it shifted into its new home and begin work on it again.
Last month I fired up my PC to try another leg on the round the world trip that still needs to be finished only to find one of the two hard drives in the raid array has died - computer is stuffed and all the flightsimming has gone west along with everything else that was on it - luckily all the family photos etc are backed up on disk and on the NAS I installed during the renovations. I have just finished reorganising all the mortgages and resetting them and should now (fingers crossed) she who must be obeyed has said we will save for a new PC first off.

When it comes to Flightsim itself I am likely in the same boat as a lot of people nowadays in that I am unsure where to head next. Do I stay with FSX knowing that all the money I have invested in the home cockpit is compatible but is on a platform now 6yrs old and going nowhere or do I switch to something that has more of a future and if so then which one do I choose? Which one will be compatible with my hardware, will it be the one that is supported or am I about to support Beta in a VHS world? Do I want to invest time learning a new sim?
Many questions and like a lot of people I am probably guilty of putting it off while dealing with the ever increasing demands of real life and work.
BUT, I am still here and lurking so fret not admins, your work is not in vain and while the site may have had teething troubles I have not found it to be too bad and have got used to the new site. It's the content not the package that I come for, and I don't really have any issue with the new package either, well done guys.

Got to go for now, these pesky aircraft keep interrupting me wanting landing and take off clearances. Don't ya just love a 'quiet' night shift!

[omitchell]

hey guys,

Got to go for now, these pesky aircraft keep interrupting me wanting landing and take off clearances. Don't ya just love a 'quiet' night shift!

Well just tell them to wait, your busy