FastCargo

Oh no you didn't! (sits back and waits for Dave...) FC

I'm seeing a lot of typical assumptions about DRM that are just plain wrong. No developer assumes that DRM is foolproof or cannot be broken. This is probably the best article ever written about PC piracy: http://www.tweakguides.com/Piracy_1.html It's a LONG article, but well worth the read to get smart on what the issues are and why developers do what they do. Read the article, muse and think about it a bit, then examine why certain TW decisions were made. FC

The USAF has been testing synthetic fuel as well and has had pretty good results. Jet engines have a unique advantage compared to something like an internal combustion engine. Basically, as long as it can be aerosoled, it can be burned in a jet engine. Unlike an internal combustion engine which may need a rebuild to adjust the compression ratio depending on the fuel, a jet engine really only needs to adjust the fuel/air ratio for each type of fuel. In other words, the engines are not what will hinder the use of alternative fuels. FC

In another reality... FC

Big friggin' deal. It's research...and that's it. The article itself says the project isn't going any farther. Basically it's just slightly more formal than brainstorming. I'd be more concerned about emergent drone AI than this. FC

Congrats and enjoy that retirement! FC

I've always been bothered by the awards system in the USAF when I was in. EPR numbered rating system, OPRs having to fill every blank spot, awards making it sound like you defecate platinum for simply doing your job. I hated watching my bosses jump through hoops trying to make my awards (PCS metals) sound sexy. I was an average to above average pilot and instructor. I didn't want additional responsibility...I just liked to fly. I did my job and did it well. I didn't bend a jet, deliberately break a rule, or shine my ass. But I wasn't writing flight manuals during test, facing the elephant on a daily basis, or saved a bus load of nuns. I was happy enough either being the sharp end of the spear, or making sure those who were going to be got every tool they needed to make sure they were going to survive and thrive in a hostile environment and beyond. Treat those who meet the standard with respect. But truly recognize the exceptional ones...make the medals and awards and '5's on the EPRs mean something. FC

Realistically, the answer is no. You can make a mod that will show you a picture of the target...but there is no modification that will make 'taking a picture' a condition of completing the mission successfully. FC

That MiG has been around for some time now...along with some privately owned Su-27s. Nice to see it getting some work! FC

OBL is dead...like this thread. FC

"I could really use another career broadening opportunity.." FC

Someone else addressed this...actually said the LODs were looking for both. It's not something that is changed in the inis...it's a game engine/LOD request only. The best thing to do is check the models. The stock models (patched to March 2012 I assume) will always look for JPEGs for solid files, and DDS for transparent files. Third party...I'm not really sure unless they're the absolute latest iterations. FC

'pults have steam. No working fresnel lens (though in theory you could create one if you had access to the MAX file). No A/A refueling. FC

You sure you didn't hit the end of the deck and fell off? FC

Dave, you may not want to spin up too much on the campaign mechanics until the first big patch for NA. It may resolve some of the issues that you're seeing. Might be better to just to otherwise line up the OOB. FC

Yea, I've seen the concept drawings...even uglier with a 'Snoopy' nose. Would much rather have the H model in the stable. FC

I've seen that phenomenon before...I forget what was needed to solve the problem. FC

Yep, KC-135R by the look of it. FC

Shining his ass and it came back to bite him. FC

Ya know, I could have lived with that McNamara decision... FC

Damn it Dave! You just gave birth to Skynet...sheesh, now we're all toast! FC

Awww yeah!

I'm with ya on this one streakeagle...I respected Jason when he was with GoGamer. He always struck me as very responsive...he tended to be the 'go to' guy when anyone had issues with GoGamer, and he almost always was able to help folks in a prompt and respectful manner. Also, I dealt with him personally when he was selling some of his stuff...got it for a very reasonable price and in great condition, just like he said. He struck me as 'one of us' in the flight simulation world. It's a shame things have degraded...however, I don't know the whole story. Sometimes dealing with people can raise frustrations that can be vented, but inappropriately... FC

steve1070, A lot of the aircraft are meant to be historically accurate where possible. That means that things like certain aircraft not carrying certain missiles, or lacking certain ECM features are not a bug, but in fact reflect reality. Another example was someone posting that the big gun on the A-10 doesn't sound right because it sounds like a loud fart when firing. What the person didn't know was that the GAU-8 cannon on the Hawg (and most other 'Vulcan' cannons of a similar design) sounds exactly like that because of the high rate of fire. One final example is folks assuming you should be able to do a VTOL taxioff in a Harrier...with a full weapons load. Doesn't happen...a fully outfitted Harrier can only (with very few exceptions) do a STOL takeoff. VTOL ops are typically meant for recovery. If you're ever unsure as to what an aircraft should or should not be able to do, usually a quick Google search and/or a search on this website will enlighten you. It'll help save you time and frustration, and will guide you on what questions to ask and when to ask them. FC

It's not just the shadowing, it's the shading...the bumps of clouds do not look anywhere close to realistic. Much easier to post emitters instead. FC PS Here's an example of what I did using 'round' emitters in a stack...6 on the bottom, 3 in the middle, and 1 on top. Made the 'clouds' look 3 dimensional, with 'fuzzy' borders. Change the size and position of the various emitters and you can make thunderstorms. Even can fly through them with decent realism.