I have mixed feelings about this.
I suppose if Dave has never in his life never used a piece of software
that he was not entitled to then he could now justifiably complain. If
not then not. The boot is simply on the other foot in that case and
you have to take as good as you gave.
There is an enormous amount of camaraderie of support on the web for
people with our interests. 99.999% of it is absolutely free. It's
produced and provided free by enthusiasts, for enthusiasts. If we had
to pay someone every time we got advice, used a utility, down-loaded a
scenery or sound patch or whatever, it would be a sad sad day for
lovers of these sims and for those who enjoy the club friendship
atmosphere that is usually here.
There have been many great utilities and patches over the years. 100s
I would guess. Of all these only a couple have required payment that I
can remember. ( And I paid for them as at the time I thought they were
worth it. Both involved new tracks for the sims I liked as it happens
).
In a scene where most are helping everyone else for free, out of a
feeling of common good and friendship, what happens when someone up
and wants to be paid for their particular contribution ? Is this a bit
like a boy scout who suddenly says " hey why should I help people for
nothing when they might pay for this ? "
I have to say that it doesn't sit entirely well with me. I have spent
many hours over the years doing small things that others have used to
help with their sim racing. There is never any intention of asking for
payment. Lots of other have done much more than me and never asked for
a brass razoo.
The situation here is that DN is probably the only person who has the
expertise to do what he does. And when there is a monopoly all issues
of fairness get thrown out the window. You either pay the price or do
without as there's nowhere else to go.
In GP2 this same situation happened. The first people to figure out
how to make new tracks sold them. But then as others found out how to
do it too there were many more tracks available for free than you
could ever ask for.
The difference here is that no one seems to be sharing information on
how to create GPL tracks. This in itself is a bit selfish imo.
Remember how in GP2 everyone helped everyone else until there were
dozens of people who could make very good tracks. And the sim racing
world was all the better for it. If DN shared his information, rather
than keep it secret as he seems to do, then we might have any number
of great tracks to race on by now instead of what merge offerings come
up from time to time from his exclusive pen. And having thus made no
effort to help others make tracks he then charges people for his, as
the only viable source for same.
OK some are saying that this is great. And in a way it is. But it
certainly doesn't make me feel all gooey inside with admiration for
DN. He is a selfish capitalist, like many others are. OK so that's his
right in the world we live in and good luck to him. But don't ask me
to consider him as some kind a philanthropistic god or hero that is
beyond reproach as many here seem to feel he should be regarded.
Instead of***ing the ground DN walks on, think of all the other
great tracks we might already have by now if DN choose to share his
info, as many others have done without any fee involved, instead of
hogging it for himself. We may have Le Mans, Bathurst, etc etc, and
all for free.
I feel a greater sense of gratitude to all the many others who have
also put in many hours of work for their efforts. But in their cases
they have shared their information around and not asked a cent for
their results. More power to them I say.
For your information, I have bought and paid for the real converter
from My Noonan. That's the deal and I accept it.
Cheers
Phillip McNelley