Re: [Opengc-devel] Linux Hardware

[Gene B. <ge...@de...>]

> > Well keep in mind that these guys are hackers at heart and if you can show
> > them a need for other platform drivers they'll be happy to comply.
> >
> I talked with some of them, but doubt if a market of one is going to make
> anyone do somersaults... And the use of FG and open source stuff for
> building cockpits is either not reported or not happening... I suspect the
> latter

The lack of "amateur" use of FG is most likely due to the high barrier of
entry (you _must_ know what you're doing) and the lack of cockpit oriented
third party infrastructure.

For instance, there is a LOT of cockpit support software available for
MSFS that's made by Project Magenta.  It's pretty high dollar software
too.  However, it sells itself because of how easy it is to configure and
hook up to MSFS via network, etc.  There are other packages out there that
offer similar features for free as well.  OpenGC provides a small subset
as you know.

For FlightGear to really take off as a core tool for the home cockpit
builder, it has to be more widely supported by the user community.

One thing that would prove to be a big boost to FlightGear's popularity
would be FSUIPC support.  All you'd have to do is set up a shared memory
segment that Pete could get at with his software, and you'd instantly
obtain 100% compatibility with all those cool add-ons that the MSFS folks
enjoy.  Even the Project Magenta stuff would work right out of the box for
the most part.

I wish I could do it myself but I don't have the time - I've got my hands
full already. :)

g.