Well, at least beware the “Domain Registry of Canada”.  This official sounding name is a “registered business style” of Registration Services Inc.  They send what look like real invoices to domain name holders asking for payment.  If one is careful and reads the text, it becomes clear that they are trying to get you to change your domain host.  But looked at quickly:

• they look like an official invoice
• the name Domain Registry of Canada sounds like a government organization (I showed my adult son who’d never seen one, and he asked, “Why is the government sending you these?)
• they have the domain information on them (which is public) so it looks like they know about your account
• they state a reply-requested date 4 months in advance of renewal.  Most domain hosts give 3 months notice.  This deceives in two ways: implying a reply is urgent, and ensuring this notice is received before legitimate ones

So if you get one, unless you already have registered a domain with them, let your local consumer protection agency know.  If you have registered with them in the past, re-register with another host: you’ll save a bundle, the rates are outrageous!  $40 per year for a single registration!  I phoned Domain Registry of Canada last year and requested they stop sending me these, but they’ve ignored my request, so this time I’ve filed a complaint with the Business Practices and Consumer Protection Authority of British Columbia.  Ah, that feels better!

Phil Taylor provides a detailed analysis of GPU specs and implications.

I started blogging January 8, 2006.  At that time blogging had been around for years, and I felt quite late on the bandwagon.  WordPress had over 250,000 blogs alone.  I was unclear when I started what I wanted to get out of it, but I enjoy writing and sharing and it seemed a good way to do that.  In time this blog became mostly about Microsoft Flight Simulator development, but other topics sneak in from time to time.

Now WordPress has over 2.1 million blogs, and I range between 10,000-20,000 views a month.  Modest by the standards of the big blogs, but encouraging to think that many of those visitors are finding something useful.

So, if you’re thinking about blogging, any time is a good time to start.  I do recommend against worrying about posting just to keep people reading.  I post when I feel moved to, which may leave gaps at times, but I think that’s harmless.  It should feel like fun, not an obligation.

Backwards compatibility of FS9 addons in FSX has been an issue.  One problem that bugged many was that virtual cockpit windows in some FS9 addon aircraft may become opaque when it rains.  Two solutions are offered:

Solution 1: Microsoft outlines a procedure to utilize FS9 textures in FSX

Solution 2: Flight1 provides a free tool to implement their own replacement textures. 

Phil outlines the growth of the studio and how challenges are being addressed.  Fascinating reading for those into organizational development.  Some of the topics:

• Studio growth from 50-60 to 100+ people
• Expansion from just Flight Simulator to add Trains2 and ESP
• Product team organization and use of SCRUM
• Moving space
• Scoping back to do fewer things at a higher quality
• Phil’s role

Phil Taylor tells us changes are upcoming at the Studio, which develops MS flight Simulator.  He outlines some of the changes (which we mostly were aware of), and promises more info.

… later that same day!  Phil posts some job openings with the Studio.

FSX includes added features for carrier operations.  Paul Lange provides some of the missing clues for developers to implement catapult launches and arrestor cable landings.

One of the more interesting challenges in upgrading Misty Fjords to FSX (at least for me!) is going to be modelling Ketchikan International Airport (PAKT).  It has sloping runways and taxiways, which are not supported by FSX.  So we’ll have to figure out how to fudge or approximate it.  I can guarantee right now that the representation won’t be perfect.  Courtesy of Sidney Schwartz, here’s what we’re up against.  Yes indeed, the runway level is at the top of the tower, with  the taxiways ramping up to the runway.

See this article.

Jeff Shyluk, AVSIM senior staff reviewer spent a lot of time up close and personal with Vancouver+ for FSX, and has written this detailed review.  Thanks, Jeff!