i think its obvious.....

The only place I've ever downloaded
from is Simviation, should I even vote?

X

I like Avsim mainly because its updated more often. SimV has a lot of nice stuff, but not many new things arrive on a daily basis. Of course SimV is never down, I seem to be getting a lot of can't find server messages when I try to download from Avsim lately.
The only freeware site for FS I don't use often is Flightsim.com because of their dumb membership system.

Simviation is obviously my first choice, but I often find AVSIM and Flightsim, (after getting past "All Nodes, etc.."), are very useful for locating particular items which I can't find in SimV... ...!
I think the main sites do their best to keep their users happy...
...which is good... ...!

Cheers...
Paul.
(England).

Simviation has been and always will be my first choice.  Other sites are ok, but this has been my home since 1999 for aircraft downloads.  I occasionally will use Avsim.com or Flightsim.com, but only if I can't find what I want here first.  Avsim is not accesible enough to the amatuer, or someone who doesn't want to get into virtual airlines.  Flightsim is the same, and I go there, but I still have a bad taste in my mouth from the whole Papa Tango business a few years back.  Plus the fact that unless you buy a membership you have to deal with that 'all nodes busy' crap.  Some of the reasons I like SimV most are below...

1.  Easily browsable:

     Planes are sectioned into categories, with a thumbnail right beside the description.  I don't have to search, I can just browse through a section

2.  Light Atmosphere:

    People here are much more accesible than at other sites and seem much more willing to answer questions.  There are no cliques, and no attitude of 'Well I'm too good for that'

3.  Easy to Navigate

     Everything is right on the front page and easy to reach.

4.  Stays current

     Every day I can check for new files and almost every day I can find them

5.  No Politics!

     Over the few years, Pete has managed to keep his skirts clean and not offend anyone.  Again, even during the whole Papa Tango affair (which was a very dark time for flight simmers), Pete managed to stay above the fray.

6.  You don't have to be a member

    Even if you don't want to sign up, you can still access the site and even post here.  That is a sign of class to me, that the site is not worried about membership (like Flightsim.com) to the point of exclusion.  I have nothing against joining and if it became available I would.  But it's nice not to be told you have to.

I must say also, this is the most under-rated flightsimsite on the web.  As big as it is, I have always felt like I was in on a great secret.

One final word; the quality of aircraft is not necessarily indicative of the site.   True, SimV has great planes, but I don't think Pete's job is judging airplanes.  That is for us to do.  Pete position (imho) is more of a moderator, or a distributor and not a judge.  He does a great job at it too...

Err SimV. And if anyone says otherwise I'll come around their house and cover it in marmelade!
When I'm really desperate I will try no-nodes.com or AVSIM (I think I've downloaded from them twice in the last year or so...)
SimV is always up, and you don't have all these annoying problems trying to get a download, you just click and go. Make a cuppa, and then its time to hit the wild blue yonder.
'Nuff Said!

Ozzy 8)

That was something that happened a long time ago and is over with.  Basically some jerk (it was NOT anyone at Flightsim.com)decided he had the copyrights to American Airlines planes and wanted to charge everyone making freeware versions with AA livery.  A lot of toes got stepped on, a lot of hard feelings went around, and a lot of things got said that shouldn't have.  I'll leave it at that because I don't want to stir up a hornets nest.  The issue is dead and best left that way.