I've started to see multiple complaints from developers and users on other forums about this person uploading other people's work, passing them off as FSX aircraft, by simply adding a thumbnail to them. I guess this would fit nicely into that Nor-Cal thread...

The problem is, he's not been getting permission for these uploads, at least not from any of the developers I've heard from.

But this latest one really takes the biscuit. He's recently uploaded Tim Conrad's J-29 (the FS9 model) for FSX. I suppose he's forgotten, or simply ignored the fact that the J-29 has been fully upgraded to FSX SP2 standard by 'Piglet', himself. Self shadowing, the lot.

Surely there's a way of restricting these uploads, seeing as the files aren't just free to distribute without permission? Perhaps treat the name 'Danny Garnier' with caution whenever he uploads something.

Well I wouldn't pay attention to other forums myself - given that THEY often don't have a good reputation ......

However as always if we/I get a specific complaint from an authorised person I will always act accordingly.

There are many files uploaded for FSX that are FS9 originals. There are many people uploading FS9 aircraft. I have had less problem reports from the 'Danny Garnier' uploaded files than many others. I did remove one recently after I found it had several essential gauges missing. There are many aircraft around with NO vc gauges and yet apparently are uploaded with permission.

And remember the fights between 'respected' designers? - too many to mention - over who had permission to use what - over years. I will always remove or fix a known problem file but other than that I keep well out of it. There are design teams split apart and still fuming years later ....

The ONLY way to handle this is on an individual file basis.

pete wrote on May 27^th, 2008 at 8:18am:

This is purely my own opinion Pete. I don't visit other FS forums so cannot be influenced by them. You should know me by now. I care about this site almost as much as you. I don't think hosting files like this does anything for Simviation's reputation.

pete wrote on May 27^th, 2008 at 11:00am:

You're probably right. It's been a long time & fings ain't what they used to be I'm afraid. Too many "freeware" developers making all sorts of conditions for using their files now. It was much more fun in the old days.

I sent a message to Mr. Conrad the other day about Nor-Cal modifying and re-uploading his models, and he had this to say:

"Yeah, this isn't the first time!
But if they want to waste thier time on an old model of mine..."

He went on to say:
"...But if I spent all my time chasing these d***s, I would never get any planes done.
Tim"


He doesn't sound happy about it, but at the same time, it doesn't sound like he's bothered enough by it to waste his time trying to stop it.

Tweek, knowing what you know about this site, if "Piglet" were to ask Pete to remove the files, don't you think he would? But since he hasn't, I can't see how Simv can be considered to be doing anything wrong.

I don't like the idea of someone modifying or uploading my files (what few there are) to another site without my permission either, but if I did find them somewhere else, I'd hardly hold the website responsible. I would simply ask the site administrators to remove the download if I didn't want it there. If they were to refuse, then THAT would be what would tarnish a site's reputation. Simv's policies and it's respect for designers in the flight sim community would never let such a thing happen.

Well I don't know whatever the moron forum that provoked this thread but I would suggest, once again, you get hold of the facts before you start pointing fingers & acting like a sheep.

Simviation is, above all sites I know of, dedicated to freeware development and respect for designers wishes.

Im kinda late on this post just caught my eye

So danny puts thumbnais in and tests them on service pack one
and that being the reason most are not sp2 or acceleration useble.
Fix ? Probrably not but great on sp1 as were they when he found
them . So he reposted them with credits & now the same file that
ready existed on simv is posted again . Then Their is my Club
the Nor-Cal Prop Club & we have done the same thing with the
exeption that we actually made the files useble with sp2 . Now
all have been made Acceleration & Sp2 ready but because the
designer who posted as freeware now has decided to piss & moan
because some may want to use & share these great aircraft
without waiting FOREVER for the designer to fix if at all we just now
resort to keeping them within the club & so as not to create a
room full of cry babies . Maybe we should in the future call these
files DONT TOUCH WARE and we can all just fly our stock planes
every time fsx has a addon or update & let these aircraft & designers
fade away . Let us Fix ?  You Fix ? Or be forgotten ?

wreckerman wrote on Jul 11^th, 2008 at 12:22am:


With all due respect, if a designer puts "not to be modified or re-released/re-packaged without my permission", then they have every right to be angry (as people such as Rick Piper are). Why because they don't necessarily want their FS8/FS9 native files to be updated to FSX unless they do it, to ensure they meet their very high standards.

I can also see how they get very bitter when the see a file by (insert name here) on simviation/flightsim etc which on the outside gives no credit to the original authors other than the original readme within the pack, when they've spent up to a year or 18 months working on the original.

It's people like this (and those who do us all a "favour" by putting disks of freeware downloads on ebay) who puch designers such as Rick Piper and Simshed etc to stop working on freeware projects, and ensure their time and effort is respected by producing high quality payware products (which not doubt some leeching pilchard will pirate) protected by copyright laws.

Rant over, and I hope for everyone's five minutes of fame re-releasing other peoples work, everyone appreciates the long term damage this may have done to the continued availability of top-notch freeware.