" ........ protected software that won't copy or work with another interface ...."
So, that must mean that those expensive sims are not only expensive but copy protected also.
Most 'copy protected' software I've seen over the years is very buggy. Usually due to to the code written in for the protection. That could very well account for most of the complaints about the sims. I remember some games like that where the programmer had an overly-inflated view of the value of his/her game and really piled on the copy protection, which ruined what little was there. The sad truth was, in most cases, the games weren't even worth copying. I suspect these sims may be much like that.
Which, all in all, is another very good reason for NOT buying the expensive sims. Glad I found out. Now I won't waste my money on any of them.
AND .. that makes FMS just that much more valuable ... not to mention, as you said, practical.
Like you, I've already wasted a ton of money over the past years on this hobby. And after a person is back to flying, a sim just becomes another computer game. Fun, but still it's just on the computer and not the real thing.
Which brings us back to the flying
Which it seems is what it's all about these days.
I still hate it that real modelling is gone. But as we all know, things change and time marches on.
Like with the the real modelling, I was looking around for some 'hot fuel proof' paint, which seems to be another relic of the past. Gone and not needed by this new generation of flyers. Can't call them 'modellers' - so they must be just flyers.
Seems RC has lost alot over the years I've been away from it. I'm beginning to wonder if maybe it should be just left in the past and that I should find something else to do.
As I had said before - it used to be a gentlemans hobby or sport and we acted accordingly - or most of us did.
Now ..... I don't know what it is ... but it sure isn't what it was.
I always tryed to promote the hobby and help others coming up too. But many in this new generation just don't understand that.
Oh well ......