Mike Stone Retirement

[toprob]

On the subject of feedback, I've always been amazed how this works. If I release a freeware download on Avsim, and get 1000 downloads, I might get 2 positive responses. However when I release a payware scenery, from 100 sales I might get 10 responses. People tend to only value things they pay for!

[ronindanbo]

On the subject of feedback, I've always been amazed how this works. If I release a freeware download on Avsim, and get 1000 downloads, I might get 2 positive responses. However when I release a payware scenery, from 100 sales I might get 10 responses. People tend to only value things they pay for!

Yes Robin I had come to the same conclusion, also who wants to go thru the cr@p just to give away something they have done when they can get paid for it and in general get less cr@p its a bit elementry isnt it

[Christian]

It probably comes down to quantity. I think a lot of people download lots of free stuff, use it once or twice and forget about it. Once they pay for something, they actually want it and use it on a regular basis. If you have 100 freeware addon and 10 payware, you naturally pay more attention to the payware ones...

I guess in the end, I don't develop stuff just for the sake of it. I only develop scenery I actually want myself and then offer it to the comunity. There is still a lot of extra work when you release to the public, but at least I satisfied my prime purpose - enjoying my own scenery

Christian

[bigdogshark62]

I have to agree with the others who have spoken about feedback. My friend and I released Anchorage not too long ago, and after nearly 2,500 downloads from AVSIM alone, I have received a grand total of ZERO e-mails (which is both a good and bad thing). I haven't received any e-mails of people needing support, but then I haven't had a single kudos e-mail either.

Oh, well. Like others have said, I design for myself, and then offer it up for everyone else. If freeware design is your thing, then that is pretty much the only way to go.

As for Mike, I have used his work in the past, both to fly (757, L1011, B1900, and E145) and to AI. It's sad to see him go, but I don't think this is the first time. As I recall, he left for a while a few years ago after people started nitpicking his designs (especially his 727; some loved it, some didn't (to the point of derision)). I recall being glad he came back.

Flightsim used to be a community unto itself. As it grows, that sense of community is disappearing. (There was a day when Auckland, Wellington, and Christchurch were communities where everyone knew everyone else, too.)

Anyway, that's my 2p FWIW. Happy Flyin', y'all!

Rob D.

[ardypilot]

Its very sad to see him go, I had his site bookmarked in my favourites from ages ago, ever since I discovered his PAC 750XL

On the subject of appeciation e-mails, I have sent a few in my time and also posted on the official addon makers forum board giving them thanks, but not very often, as no developers really ask to get thanks given, and everyone has accepted it as the norm not to do so.

Of the few addons and contributions I have uploaded, I have only ever received negative or question feedback, but I know my work if nothing compared to the likes of Mike Stone, and many many others.

In conclusion, all I can say is thank you Mr Stone, and long live the freeware community

[scon]

Same here the few Files that I have uploaded (mostly to the Just Flight Traffic site) I have only got question emails howiever I was not expecting and sort thanks though.

But I have Just sent Mike an email saying thanks for all the work he has done.

[Codge]

I think you've hit the nail on the head Robin (and others too) firstly about cosmic balance and secondly about valuing only what you pay for. Aren't the best things in life free?
When I had a 450 P2 I used his stuff and often it was the only model of a particular plane available.
I used to make these spider webs from copper wire and sell them at craft markets and I learned so much about human beings it was mind blowing! I couldn't sell these webs at $15 so I lowered them to $12. Still no luck so I changed the price to $25 and they sold like hotcakes! This is a true story! If it hadn't happened to me personally I might not have believed it. I did get the types that would offer smart remarks and more often than not a customer would put the offender in their place.
Because I have no skills in designing FS stuff I am in awe of anyone who does except for one type of developer.The guy who sells his stuff for money that is without doubt only freeware material.They are entitled to charge for their work but please don't mislead us about how great it is. Mikes stuff is way better than some 'payware' I'm thinking specifically of some Helo's but there are planes too. Jordan Moores' freeware Helo's are free but definately payware quality.
Mikes' been going a long time so probably a bit tired of it anyway(he did say that didn't he?)
I wonder how much complaining Christian recieves because he sells one of the most costly addons ever?(20m & Topo) Are most of us wise enough to see it is an absolute bargain! He could have split it into areas or two islands and made quite a bit more I'm sure. He's a shrewd man alright as he offers the 75m for free too! I'm sure many are happy with that too therefore denying himself more income! Although if you're like me you thought 'this 75m is pretty good so the 20m must be insane' so I went and bought it and it was!
That 20m is still my favourite addon of all time. It is why I don't feel the need for FSX at this stage.
Well if everybody was positive and thoughtful there would be nothing for the councillors, psychologists,police,prison wardens etc.. to do! And it's a growth industry! They are building jails flat out for all the misunderstood people that society has wronged and allowed to slip through the cracks!
I am and always have been amazed since I discovered FS that there was any freeware at all. It is this though that makes me feel ripped off when I buy an addon that is only freeware quality.I'm sure the 80/20 rule will apply here too as it seems to govern the universe. 80% of the negativity will come from 20% of population. 80% of people are honest and decent,it's just that the squeeky wheel gets the oil and things seem worse than they are. I've had it when playing a song on my guitar so I offer the guitar to the complainer with out a word being said and they will turn and run everytime. Just as well there are so many planes that Mike has modelled that we won't go short of planes to choose from. It's quality sceneries we need to see more of and they are happening. I suppose that because FS has come so far that people have higher expectations than ever before. Sorry to waffle guys, maybe I should just have quoted the wise person who said,

You can please some of the people all of the time and all of the people some of the time but you can't please all of the people all of the time.