Template:FlightGearVendors: Difference between revisions
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</noinclude> | </noinclude><includeonly>As many people are aware, there is a new flight simulator product that is being widely and actively marketed at the moment - '''{{PAGENAME}}''' (also promoted as '''ProFlightSimulator''', '''FlightSimPro''', '''Earth Flight Sim''', '''FlightProSim''', '''Real Flight Simulator'''). This product is a direct copy of [[FlightGear]]. {{PAGENAME}} goes to extreme measures to hide the fact that they are simply copying FlightGear and reselling it. In some cases they have tried to turn the tables and say the FlightGear is ripping them off and pirating their work. This has caused some confusion for many people. To help provide some clarity, and answer some common questions, we (the core FlightGear development team) felt it was appropriate to make a statement, and provide a [[FAQ]]. | ||
As many people are aware, there is a new flight simulator product that is being widely and actively marketed at the moment - '''{{PAGENAME}}''' (also promoted as '''ProFlightSimulator''', '''FlightSimPro''', '''Earth Flight Sim''', '''FlightProSim''', '''Real Flight Simulator'''). This product is a direct copy of [[FlightGear]]. {{PAGENAME}} goes to extreme measures to hide the fact that they are simply copying FlightGear and reselling it. In some cases they have tried to turn the tables and say the FlightGear is ripping them off and pirating their work. This has caused some confusion for many people. To help provide some clarity, and answer some common questions, we (the core FlightGear development team) felt it was appropriate to make a statement, and provide a [[FAQ]]. | |||
FlightGear is an open-source flight simulator that was started in 1996. It is released under the [[GNU General Public License]] v2, and as such, it is free to use, modify and distribute with few restrictions. It has been developed with the collaboration of a large number of individuals over more than 15 years. FlightGear can be downloaded at no cost from http://www.flightgear.org. | FlightGear is an open-source flight simulator that was started in 1996. It is released under the [[GNU General Public License]] v2, and as such, it is free to use, modify and distribute with few restrictions. It has been developed with the collaboration of a large number of individuals over more than 15 years. FlightGear can be downloaded at no cost from http://www.flightgear.org. | ||
=== Review of {{PAGENAME}} === | |||
==Review of {{PAGENAME}}== | |||
{{PAGENAME}} is a commercial product very heavily based on FlightGear. Investigation by a number of the FlightGear developers has found no difference between this and the FlightGear v1.9.1 release other than a change of name. {{PAGENAME}} is in no way endorsed or supported by the core FlightGear development team. | {{PAGENAME}} is a commercial product very heavily based on FlightGear. Investigation by a number of the FlightGear developers has found no difference between this and the FlightGear v1.9.1 release other than a change of name. {{PAGENAME}} is in no way endorsed or supported by the core FlightGear development team. | ||
Given the similarities between {{PAGENAME}} and FlightGear, we would recommend that prospective buyers download FlightGear for free and satisfy themselves that {{PAGENAME}} provides worthwhile value for money before purchasing it. | Given the similarities between {{PAGENAME}} and FlightGear, we would recommend that prospective buyers download FlightGear for free and satisfy themselves that {{PAGENAME}} provides worthwhile value for money before purchasing it. | ||
==What are the differences between the two?== | === What are the differences between the two? === | ||
As far as we have been able to make out, the only difference between FlightGear v1.9.1 and {{PAGENAME}} is a change in name throughout the software, and the fact that you have to pay for it. | As far as we have been able to make out, the only difference between FlightGear v1.9.1 and {{PAGENAME}} is a change in name throughout the software, and the fact that you have to pay for it. | ||
==Legal or illegal?== | === Legal or illegal? === | ||
The [[GNU GPL]] license, under which FlightGear is released, allows reselling under certain terms. The main issue that FlightGear developers have is the misleading marketing tactics used by pro flight sim that target unsuspecting users who aren't yet familiar with FlightGear. This is primarily an ethical, not a legal issue. | The [[GNU GPL]] license, under which FlightGear is released, allows reselling under certain terms. The main issue that FlightGear developers have is the misleading marketing tactics used by pro flight sim that target unsuspecting users who aren't yet familiar with FlightGear. This is primarily an ethical, not a legal issue. | ||
== Is it legal to sell a copy of FlightGear, whether re-branded or not?== | === Is it legal to sell a copy of FlightGear, whether re-branded or not? === | ||
Yes, provided the seller is in compliance with a number of conditions detailed in the GPL. In fact, those interested in receiving a DVD containing FlightGear may do so through the main FlightGear website, and directly contribute to the project (though they may want to wait for the upcoming release in the new year). | Yes, provided the seller is in compliance with a number of conditions detailed in the GPL. In fact, those interested in receiving a DVD containing FlightGear may do so through the main FlightGear website, and directly contribute to the project (though they may want to wait for the upcoming release in the new year). | ||
==Has {{PAGENAME}} paid any money to FlightGear for the rights to the program? == | === Has {{PAGENAME}} paid any money to FlightGear for the rights to the program? === | ||
No. No such payment is required, as FlightGear is GPL software. No such payment has been offered, no such payment has been made. Any claims by {{PAGENAME}} that they support the FlightGear project are entirely wishful thinking on their part. | No. No such payment is required, as FlightGear is GPL software. No such payment has been offered, no such payment has been made. Any claims by {{PAGENAME}} that they support the FlightGear project are entirely wishful thinking on their part. | ||
==Why do the FlightGear developers allow this?== | === Why do the FlightGear developers allow this? === | ||
The freedom to modify and enhance FlightGear is a core part of the project, and of open-source in general. Restricting the modifications that are allowed and what people can do with the software goes against that ethos. | The freedom to modify and enhance FlightGear is a core part of the project, and of open-source in general. Restricting the modifications that are allowed and what people can do with the software goes against that ethos. | ||
==Is there any relationship between the makers of {{PAGENAME}} and the FlightGear Project?== | === Is there any relationship between the makers of {{PAGENAME}} and the FlightGear Project? === | ||
No. | No. | ||
==Has {{PAGENAME}} contributed to the FlightGear project at all? == | === Has {{PAGENAME}} contributed to the FlightGear project at all? === | ||
No. | No. | ||
==I have purchased {{PAGENAME}}. Can I get a refund?== | === I have purchased {{PAGENAME}}. Can I get a refund? === | ||
That is something you will have to take up with the distributors of {{PAGENAME}}. They guarentee a 60 day money back trial period, though some that have purchased FlightProSim have had trouble getting a refund and claim that FlightProSim did not respond to their requests for a refund. If you are having difficulty getting {{PAGENAME}} to cooperate and refund your purchase, you may want to call your credit card company and cancel the transaction. | That is something you will have to take up with the distributors of {{PAGENAME}}. They guarentee a 60 day money back trial period, though some that have purchased FlightProSim have had trouble getting a refund and claim that FlightProSim did not respond to their requests for a refund. If you are having difficulty getting {{PAGENAME}} to cooperate and refund your purchase, you may want to call your credit card company and cancel the transaction. | ||
==This whole situation makes me upset! What can I do?== | === This whole situation makes me upset! What can I do? === | ||
First of all, the main problem here is the marketing tactics used by {{PAGENAME}} which exhibit very dubious ethical values. The FlightGear development teams feels the best way to combat this problem is through positive FlightGear marketing and by honestly pointing out that {{PAGENAME}} is simply a rebranding of an already free flight sim called FlightGear. | First of all, the main problem here is the marketing tactics used by {{PAGENAME}} which exhibit very dubious ethical values. The FlightGear development teams feels the best way to combat this problem is through positive FlightGear marketing and by honestly pointing out that {{PAGENAME}} is simply a rebranding of an already free flight sim called FlightGear. | ||
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If you want to help combat misleading marketing, let's all get the word out about FlightGear. FlightGear doesn't have the kind of advertising budget that the {{PAGENAME}} guys do. We need you!!! Please post wherever you can on web sites, forums, blogs, facebook, etc. We don't mind if someone chooses to buy {{PAGENAME}}, in fact that's great, as long as they have complete information in advance and aren't being misled by a slimy sales pitch that sounds too good to be true. | If you want to help combat misleading marketing, let's all get the word out about FlightGear. FlightGear doesn't have the kind of advertising budget that the {{PAGENAME}} guys do. We need you!!! Please post wherever you can on web sites, forums, blogs, facebook, etc. We don't mind if someone chooses to buy {{PAGENAME}}, in fact that's great, as long as they have complete information in advance and aren't being misled by a slimy sales pitch that sounds too good to be true. | ||
So let's get the word out and try to make sure that {{PAGENAME}} has to market to an "educated" audience! | So let's get the word out and try to make sure that {{PAGENAME}} has to market to an "educated" audience!</includeonly> | ||
Revision as of 20:22, 25 May 2012
The following template description is not displayed when the template is inserted in an article.
Goal
This template provides a single text that can be used on articles about a vendor that appears to use several names for his (or our) product.
Usage
Create an article with the name of the product as title and add the following (and only the following) content to it:
{{FlightGearVendors}}