cichlidfan

I have a question about the time frame. What criteria were used in the decision process that resulted in the choice of only three days?

I hope he is very young. Also, I am guessing he doesn't keep up since we have an F-18, F-14 and an F-4 in the pipeline.

It's too late for that. The new system is already up and running, for the Harrier.

Actually, his previous residence was Scotland. :)

You might appreciate being made aware of the fact that Viper is a lawyer. His opinion of what a court might think may be slightly more valid than yours (unless you are also a lawyer).

In the second, ED can make many sorts of arrangement to allow the software to run without DCS existing. However, I doubt they are legally obligated to do so, once they no longer exist as a company. For example, if Sirius XM went out of business that would make your satellite radio useless and they would have no obligation to compensate you or do anything to keep your radio functional.

In scenario 1, after 3 days you can't use the module.

Why is not relevant. I was just pointing out that the 'advantage' of not needing a constant internet connection is already present with the existing DRM.

You don't need a constant internet connection now. Once the module is activated you can unplug your internet and play SP just fine.

This still indicates a problem. The 3 period had not expired yet the unavailability of the server caused the module to not be available.

Really? Under what circumstances? The activation is sitting in my registry.

In that case, please do not convert my already purchased modules to the new system. I would rather deal with Starforce.

...and the answer to Viper's question is still missing.

I don't think that will be the case since, in the past, all 3rd party devs were required to use the DRM solution chosen by ED. That is likely to still be the case for the future.

What difference does it make? Chances are that when 2.5 drops, it will be an upgrade to the existing Open Alpha. Since it is all free, it really doesn't matter. With a major change like that, I would plan on doing a clean install just for the sake of purity.

True, in that case I will be playing Stalker, on Steam, in offline mode. :P

Perhaps you are correct, and (as I said earlier) there is a flaw in the modelling. Obviously, this is an issue as well. It is still a small issue compared to many others and should be given the attention required by it's relevance to the purpose of the sim. Don't walk, or drive, near a body of water, and don't drive off of the runway.

Btw, the heaviest BMP weighs less than 20 tonnes which is about what a loaded Mig-21 weighs. Again, lots of tread contact vs. a small amount of tire contact with the ground.

Keep in mind that even the slightest downward angle of the jets would have greatly relieved the forces between the tires and the ground. Also, as the jet gains forward speed the weight on the gear reduces due to the aerodynamic lift effect from the horizontal surfaces.

Yes, they can operate from 'a grass field'. However, a grass field does not equate to any grass field. Again, this may be a legitimate flaw (I won't use the word bug this time) in the sim. However, under the circumstances you will, first, have to wait until the new Caucasus map is released and then try reporting the problem, if it still exists. Keep the aircraft on the paved taxiway/runway and the problem will cease to be an issue. The only time I have had an aircraft in the grass was when I over ran a runway. The 21 is has a narrow wheel base compared to the paved surfaces in the DCS modeled airfields. It should not be too difficult to keep the wheels out of the dirt. :) Don't sweat the small stuff, life is too short.

Let's assume you are correct and DCS has it modeled incorrectly. 1) Assuming the issue is with the Normandy or Nevada maps, it is likely to be a low priority bug. 2) If the problem is on the Caucasus map, that is going to be completely replaced soon so nothing will be fixed on the current map. Under those circumstances, your best bet is to taxi slower and steer better in order to avoid leaving the pavement. EDIT: Russia is a big place, with a great deal of different terrain characteristics, and that does not look like the edge of a runway in Georgia. It is a cool video, though, so thanks for that.

That chart is nice but still meaningless since there is no specific test data for the soil next to the taxi/runways. FYI. I just called up a friend of mine who happens to be a retired Command Sergeant Major, US ARMY (26 years). His battalion was a horizontal construction battalion. In other words they built roads and runways. He told me that the terrain along side the runways and taxiways was not, in any way, compacted or strengthened. If an aircraft went off the edge it almost always had to be lifted out. The gravel area you are talking about is probably part of the runway model in DCS. When you are sitting in the grass, you are beyond that area.

I take it that you are assuming that the aircraft is not stuck. How do you know? Momentum could have gotten it that far.

Again, very nice links but they do not answer the pertinent question of what the test values for the ground next a runway are. Edit. I also would not assume that ED models the weight of the various ground units like they do the aircraft since it is not overly relevant whereas the weight of the aircraft is very relevant.

The plane weighs somewhere around 20-25 tons, standing still, on a small number of tires with very little contact with the ground. Again, do the math. Of course, landing force compounds the problem, which is why the runway is paved with a very large gravel bed under the pavement.