FSDreamTeam forum

General Category => General Discussion => Topic started by: Bigmac72 on January 10, 2010, 12:03:55 am

Title: FlightZone1 Scenery
Post by: Bigmac72 on January 10, 2010, 12:03:55 am
I was wondering if these developers are still around the ones that did PVD and PDX
Title: Re: FlightZone1 Scenery
Post by: JFKpilot on January 10, 2010, 12:14:40 am
Nope, the company's been dead for over 3 years. The developer went to FranceVFR 2 years ago, not sure if he's still there or not.
Title: Re: FlightZone1 Scenery
Post by: Bigmac72 on January 10, 2010, 12:22:21 am
Ok cool Thanks
Title: Re: FlightZone1 Scenery
Post by: cmpbllsjc on January 10, 2010, 08:23:49 am
I just read the other day that the author of FlightZone sceneries, Stephane Lepage that went by Vauchez, is now working for ORBX.

http://orbxsystems.com/forums/index.php?topic=17622.0

Maybe he will do an update for the Portland scenery for the upcoming PNW product.
Title: Re: FlightZone1 Scenery
Post by: newmanix on January 10, 2010, 09:08:02 am
I just read the other day that the author of FlightZone sceneries, Stephane Lepage that went by Vauchez, is now working for ORBX.

http://orbxsystems.com/forums/index.php?topic=17622.0

Maybe he will do an update for the Portland scenery for the upcoming PNW product.

I also heard he went to France VFR, but the quality of France VFR isn't near to FZ01 and 02 so I doubted it. Now if he is at Orbix, that, I can believe. Orbix looks like his doing. I really wanted FZ03 Spokanne and very sorry we may never get it... Sigh...
Title: Re: FlightZone1 Scenery
Post by: JFKpilot on January 11, 2010, 08:21:15 am
I just read the other day that the author of FlightZone sceneries, Stephane Lepage that went by Vauchez, is now working for ORBX.

http://orbxsystems.com/forums/index.php?topic=17622.0

Maybe he will do an update for the Portland scenery for the upcoming PNW product.

That's good news. Hopefully his commitment level to ORBX is higher than Flightscenery and AirlinerXP...
Title: Re: FlightZone1 Scenery
Post by: Silverbird on January 11, 2010, 06:32:57 pm
I cant really understand why he would never put up a statement in his former website flightzone or somewhere on the fourms. that could have said at least, look guys I can support this scenery anymore due to some really personal problems etc etc.
Title: Re: FlightZone1 Scenery
Post by: newmanix on January 11, 2010, 07:23:02 pm
Yeah, there was a huge discussion about that a while back on FT forums. He was just gone and kept the site up and running for years without any information. That was totally rude, when I bought both products there was no support. Thank God I never had any issues with the scenery besides those stupid mesh issues with FT KSEA and CRG...

And I really wanted the FZ03 KGEG!!!
Title: Re: FlightZone1 Scenery
Post by: Bruce Hamilton on January 12, 2010, 02:18:13 am
He was just gone and kept the site up and running for years without any information. That was totally rude...

He doesn't seem to have any problem collecting the money from Sim Market in his absense...
Title: Re: FlightZone1 Scenery
Post by: newmanix on January 12, 2010, 04:26:46 am
well noted...
Title: Re: FlightZone1 Scenery
Post by: thepilot on January 12, 2010, 02:10:49 pm
You're not really surprised about that, are you?
Title: Re: FlightZone1 Scenery
Post by: SirIsaac726 on January 12, 2010, 06:52:09 pm
He was just gone and kept the site up and running for years without any information. That was totally rude...

He doesn't seem to have any problem collecting the money from Sim Market in his absense...

And what is the problem with that?  The only thing is you don't get product support (which isn't required to give or guaranteed) so if you have a problem, you go directly to the person you paid, SimMarket.9
Title: Re: FlightZone1 Scenery
Post by: newmanix on January 12, 2010, 07:06:14 pm
He was just gone and kept the site up and running for years without any information. That was totally rude...

He doesn't seem to have any problem collecting the money from Sim Market in his absense...

And what is the problem with that?  The only thing is you don't get product support (which isn't required to give or guaranteed) so if you have a problem, you go directly to the person you paid, SimMarket.9

You missed the point entirely...
Title: Re: FlightZone1 Scenery
Post by: SirIsaac726 on January 12, 2010, 11:13:53 pm
He was just gone and kept the site up and running for years without any information. That was totally rude...

He doesn't seem to have any problem collecting the money from Sim Market in his absense...

And what is the problem with that?  The only thing is you don't get product support (which isn't required to give or guaranteed) so if you have a problem, you go directly to the person you paid, SimMarket.

You missed the point entirely...


Do you mind telling me what the point is then, instead of just leaving it like that. :P

Right now it looks like you are complaining about how he never said anything about discontinuing support and further development but still collected money.  This isn't anything new. ;)
Title: Re: FlightZone1 Scenery
Post by: newmanix on January 13, 2010, 09:56:32 pm

Do you mind telling me what the point is then, instead of just leaving it like that. :P
[/quote]

Ask yourself the same question....
Title: Re: FlightZone1 Scenery
Post by: SirIsaac726 on January 13, 2010, 11:34:32 pm
Quote

Do you mind telling me what the point is then, instead of just leaving it like that. :P

Ask yourself the same question....
[/quote]

Do you have to be a punk?

Seriously, I was just trying to figure out what your main point was if you say what I was hitting at wasn't the point.

I don't see the problem with my posts.  I think my point is quite clear.  Is it not?
Title: Re: FlightZone1 Scenery
Post by: Bruce Hamilton on January 14, 2010, 12:56:36 am
Unless I missed it as well, I believe the point being made is the fact that Flightscenery is out of business, but still making money off their product.  May not be uncommon in this hobby, but it is rather unethical, IMO.
Title: Re: FlightZone1 Scenery
Post by: SirIsaac726 on January 14, 2010, 01:44:57 am
Unless I missed it as well, I believe the point being made is the fact that Flightscenery is out of business, but still making money off their product.  May not be uncommon in this hobby, but it is rather unethical, IMO.

What do you mean by out of business though?  If they still sell on SimMarket then I'd argue they aren't out of business.  There are many sellers on SimMarket that are selling and don't have a website or dedicated support for the people that buy their products.  Again, in those cases, if you have problems, you just have to go to SimMarket rather than the actual developer...much like if you bought a new computer at BestBuy and had problems, you'll most likely go to BestBuy, not the computer builder.
Title: Re: FlightZone1 Scenery
Post by: Russ on January 14, 2010, 04:49:58 am
Quote
What do you mean by out of business though?

Just a guess here as I don't wish to speak for Bruce, but I think what he is suggesting is that there is more "to being in business" than simply collecting money and providing a product. When one purchases an addon isn't it implied that support comes with it? Certainly the team here at FSDT spend considerable time and resources supporting their products. You'll note, Issac, that  Simmarket clearly states support comes from "Support Forum."  That is sometimes true and sometimes not. Many request are left unanswered on that forum. None are answered by Vauchez, but rather by forum members. I agree this comes pretty close to being unethical if not already there. A simple statement stating the developer no longer supports the product and displayed prominently on the Simmarket purchase page would be much better.

I agree Vauchez's business practices are dicey at best. But, that being said I still purchased both of KPDX and KPVD after he had departed and I'm glad to have them. Luckily for me, the little bit of support I needed was provided by one of the forum members. Others aren't so fortunate.
Title: Re: FlightZone1 Scenery
Post by: SirIsaac726 on January 14, 2010, 07:07:05 am
Quote
What do you mean by out of business though?

Just a guess here as I don't wish to speak for Bruce, but I think what he is suggesting is that there is more "to being in business" than simply collecting money and providing a product. When one purchases an addon isn't it implied that support comes with it? Certainly the team here at FSDT spend considerable time and resources supporting their products. You'll note, Issac, that  Simmarket clearly states support comes from "Support Forum."  That is sometimes true and sometimes not. Many request are left unanswered on that forum. None are answered by Vauchez, but rather by forum members. I agree this comes pretty close to being unethical if not already there. A simple statement stating the developer no longer supports the product and displayed prominently on the Simmarket purchase page would be much better.

I agree Vauchez's business practices are dicey at best. But, that being said I still purchased both of KPDX and KPVD after he had departed and I'm glad to have them. Luckily for me, the little bit of support I needed was provided by one of the forum members. Others aren't so fortunate.

When you purchase something, support is never implied.  Support is only guaranteed when it specifically says you have the option of support.  Of course, if you have a broken product or have troubles using the product, then you should have no problem getting your money back.

In the case of SimMarket, they state that support comes from the developers themselves (email, support forum, etc.).  The FlightScenery product pages display that as the FlightScenery 'Support Forum', which is no longer an active link.  I'd agree here, that the 'Support Forum' link shouldn't be displayed and that is where Vauchez is wrong.  And sure, a nice message on the site/forum/purchase page/etc. would be nice.  All I'm trying to say is it isn't required.  However, in a case where you cannot get support from the developer, you have every right to go to SimMarket and demand some help or a refund if you are having problems.  Due to the fact that you purchased from them and nowhere do they state 'All Sales are Final', you can go to them.

And yes, the FSDT spends a great deal of time providing excellent, top-notch support.  That is a sign of a great business that wants to help its customers which in turn is great business for them.
Title: Re: FlightZone1 Scenery
Post by: Russ on January 14, 2010, 04:47:01 pm
Isaac,

Not anything to argue over but just a couple of points...

Simmarket does indeed have a little box that the purchaser must check to acknowledge all sales are final before any purchase will be processed. They also clearly say (in the case of FlightScenery 1 and 2) that support is provided through the FlightScenery support forum. Again, pretty cheeky in my view. I'm old school so I think there should be something to warn the customer that "you're buying as is with no support." If you don't agree no worries...good and reasonable people disagree all the time...

Irregardless, the scenery is very good and I wouldn't hesitate to recommend it though I would put up the warning sign...


All the best,
-Russ
Title: Re: FlightZone1 Scenery
Post by: SirIsaac726 on January 14, 2010, 06:55:10 pm
Hey Russ,

I wasn't aware of the checkbox.  I honestly don't remember that when I've purchased from there.  But then again, I haven't purchased from them in some time.  If that is the case and the developer doesn't provide the support SimMarket directs you to, then you have every right to complain to them and request assistance.  Additionally, I have dealt with SimMarket customer support before and they were always very accommodating.  Obviously, that isn't what we are differing on but just something I thought I would mention, nonetheless.

And I wholy agree with you.  SimMarket or Vauchez needs to update their
page because the support forum isn't even an active page anymore.  I don't know who is
responsible for changing that listig but it needs to be brought to their attention.  And if SimMarket demands he seller provide some form of customer support, then they should get a support email from Vauchez or pull th product from their site.

So I think we agree on more than we think we do.  The point I was trying to make is that a seller should never assume support will be given unless it is stated.