MAIN PICTURE SLIDER

Thursday, August 11, 2011

VIrtualCol install process, unorthodox ?


For I tested the VirtualCol installation system, and i am still shaking. About awful security systems. ../..

When i bought San Andres and Providencia scenery from the columbian designer on Simmarket, i was not really worried. Troubles began a few minutes after i downloaded the compressed file. Then, i discovered that you need to install a base file, go on virtualCol to register, use your serial key to download a security file and launch this file. But it didn't end there. I looked for my San Andres folder and nothing ! VirtualCol simply put his files in FSX\FSAddons\scenery and texture folders. Why ? Designers don't do this anymore. Designers usually declare their scenery in the library and users can change scenery position if there is an issue. Here, you can't do anything...
Pirates are not disturbed at all by this security code, they just crack the thing. I am the victim here and it took me more than 30 minutes to finish the process.
Then started my problems with the scenery but it's an other story and will wait the end before talking about it.

Oh, VirtualCol is not the only one to use a complex awful system. I already talked about UK 2000 and tomorrow or someday, i can tell you about Earth Simulation system (a pity since their sceneries are marvelous).

Looking for the security file...


VirtualCol San Andres scenery.

7 comments:

Kevin Firth said...

Hi Dom
I've never had a problem with earth simulations install process and I have most of their products. It's proprietary sure, but it has worked well for me. If you look at their forum you'll find that Darren provides blisteringly fast and effective personal support for problems customers have with ES products, which not many developers can boast! Have you communicated with them about any problems you've had?
Kevin

Anonymous said...

These are three companies that I will NOT be buying from. Thank you! It is posts like this that make AirDailyX my first "flight" each day!

Darren said...

Hi Dom

Perhaps it would be nice to have the opportunity to reply to your personal concerns about our installation methods before you launch into an attack on Earth Simulations. In 3 years of operation we have not once had a customer seeking support leave us without a satisfactory outcome.
Our install process is extremely effective for the overwhelming majority of users, this despite the fact that ES Sceneries are by far the most complex and detailed sceneries available in FSX.
if you've had a bad experience then I will apologize because we always seek to provide you with a smooth and enjoyable ride from us. However if you would try to portray that it is common for ES customers to be dissatisfied with the software or the level of customer care they receive from us then you would not be posting a true picture.
I'm unaware of any correspondence between ourselves on this matter and only aware of your intention to post derogatory comments about ES from another "satisfied" customer.
We don't always get everything 100% right or perfect, but when we don't we ALWAYS put it right. I wonder what else you could realistically expect of anyone Dom?

Anonymous said...

Thanks Dom,

This kind of intrusive security is totally stupid

It should be like this: you pay the money, you download product, you run installer and enter purchase details, product installs to its own folder and adds its self to the scenery library. full stop

What you describe above sounds like a complete dogs breakfast, which only leaves the PAYING customer feeling 'un-trusted' and 'un-valued' by the developer

Once the security on the product becomes more difficult and frustrating than popping over to The-Pirate-Bay, and downloading a cracked installer that by-passes all this 'security' you "The Developer' have lost the battle.


Just my two cents worth, I am both a flight simulator developer and customer

Darren said...

quote
"It should be like this: you pay the money, you download product, you run installer and enter purchase details, product installs to its own folder and adds its self to the scenery library. full stop"

Exactly , I couldn't agree more. Which is exactly how the Earth simulations method is and why I've yet to understand Doms position. ESI fulfills the last posters checklist of what an installer should be in every respect, with the added exception that you don't even need to add your purchase details, Log in one time on the first run of the ESI installer and from then on all serial code handling and installation is taken care of with no added requirements from the customer other than to select their scenery and install. From Purchase to installed, and ready to fly in only in 4 clicks. What could be easier than that?
Please take account of the fact Guernsey scenery is 4.5 gigabytes of data. It is going to take a while to arrive. I gather that the time it took to download is your main reason for your disappointment, which can hardly be down to ESI being the method involved,isn't that that just the internet?

Dom Mason said...

Thans Darren

I totally understand your arguments on the interface, especially about how you secure the downloads and how you handle the serial code.
I hope we can publish an interview of E.S. to let you explain all this.
Dom

Anonymous said...

Would like to hear more comments about the scenery itself. Was considering buying, but decided to hold off in hopes that you would expand a bit more on your comment.... "Then started my problems with the scenery but it's an other story and will wait the end before talking about it."

Post a Comment

Comments are now deactivated. Please visit our new website: AirDailyX.net

Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.