For leading solutions in automotive electronics from the pioneer in the industry, turn to Infineon Technologies. Choose our semiconductors for your body, power, powertrain, safety, and hybrid and electric vehicle applications and profiting from products resulting from nearly 40 years of experience in automotive applications and standards. Our commitment to innovation high quality and service means you can count on us to successfully drive your applications into the tomorrow and beyond.
The new high performance voltage regulator family offers a full range of ultra-low current consumption automotive linear voltage regulators with low dropout voltage and wide input voltage range. The automotive high performance LDOs have the capability to extend battery life, save PCB space and system costs. With output currents ranging from 50mA to 500mA and various features (EN, RESET, Watchdog), choose Infineon’s high performance LDO family, it has the right fit for any body/infotainment application. To enhance Infineon’s portfolio of Automotive Linear Voltage Regulators serving the 12V applications, Infineon offers the first robust package in a 24V version to perform in the transportation market including trucks, commercial, construction and agricultural vehicles.
The new robust package, the TLT807B0EPV not only takes the load dump voltage requirements into consideration but also makes sure that the lifetime requirements are fulfilled by performing extended qualifications. A car on average has a lifetime of about 300k km where as heavy duty trucks can have lifetimes of 800k km up to 1000k km. This makes the ‘lifetime’ requirements for these vehicles three times as much as those for cars.
The BTF6070-2EKV is a 60 mΩ dual channel Smart High-Side Power Switch, embedded in a PG-DSO-14-40 EP, Exposed Pad package, providing protective functions and diagnosis. The power transistor is built by an N-channel vertical power MOSFET with charge pump. The device is integrated in Smart6 HV technology. It is specially designed to drive Valve Applications in the harsh automotive environment. For lighting applications the nominal bulb load of P10W+P5W 24 V or P10W 12 V is considered. The BTF6070-2EKV is the first PROFET™ which is qualified according to ISO26262 Functional Safety Standard.
The PROFET™+2 family of single, dual and quad channel protected high-side power switches (8 mΩ to 200 mΩ) in TSDSO-14 exposed pad package provides state of the art diagnostics and protection features. The family offers benchmark form factor, the lowest RDS(ON) (2x 8 mΩ) and smallest package (TSDSO-14) pin pitch of 0.65 mm.
The whole family is compatible with the most severe reverse battery requirement on the market due to incorporating ReverSave™ functionality for the 1st time in the market on a single chip product. The family offers outstanding energy efficiency with reduced current consumption, state of the art current sense accuracy (kILIS), benchmark low cranking voltage capability and faster switching/slew rate with no impact on EMC.
The new automotive-qualified 3D magnetic sensor TLE493D-A1B6 offers accurate three-dimensional sensing with extremely low power consumption in a small TSOP-6-pin package. This small sensor offers an I2C interface for superior control along with a 12-bit data resolution for each measurement direction including chip temperature. With the ability to detect magnetic fields in the x, y, and z-direction, the sensor is ideally suited for the measurement of linear, rotary and 3D position sensing in automotive applications.
AURIX™ is Infineon's specialized selection of microcontrollers serving the automotive industry by emphasizing the its performance and safety features. AURIX™ is incorporates a multicore architecture based on three independent 32-bit TriCore™ CPUs, meeting the highest safety standards in the automotive space. The single MCU platform enables exceptional control over many automotive applications such as powertrain, body, safety, and ADAS. Leading-edge performance, combined with extreme efficiency, positions AURIX™ as the most powerful MCU solution for modern automotive requirements.
The LITIX™ Power and LITIX™ Power Flex Automotive LED Driver IC families, based on a synchronous half bridge topology, are the ideal solution for driving high-power LEDs with maximum system efficiency. Offering many features such as over-voltage and over-temperature protection, as well as advanced diagnostics, LITIX™ drivers are built for harsh automotive conditions. Requiring few external components, LITIX™ are both innovative and cost-effective. The new LITIX™ Power Flex TLD5541-1QV, controllable using SPI, features a new fast dynamic load jump behavior to protect LEDs under current spikes.
The TLE987x family is part of the Infineon® embedded power IC portfolio. The TLE987x is a single chip 3-phase motor driver that integrates the industry standard ARM® Cortex™ M3 core, enabling the implementation of advanced motor control algorithms such as field-oriented control. It includes six fully integrated NFET drivers optimized to drive a 3-phase motor via six external power NFETs, a charge pump enabling low voltage operation and programmable current along with current slope control for optimized EMC behavior. Its peripheral set includes a current sensor, a successive approximation ADC synchronized with the capture and compare unit for PWM control and 16-bit timers.
A LIN transceiver is also integrated to enable communication to the device along with a number of general purpose I/Os. It includes an on-chip linear voltage regulator to supply external loads.
Gentlemen-Over the last several months I have read many posts disparaging Ariane Studios and the man behind it. While I don't doubt there have been some who have had problems with them, all I can judge them by is my own experience, and so far it has been very positive. I have been very pleased with their products, if I have just not been able to get a plane to work they have given a refund any time I've asked, and their support has been excellent (sometimes answering e-mails within 10-15 minutes, as today)I've only had a few problems getting to their site, and that seems to be when they are adding new products to the page.So I for one will continue to be a satisfied Ariane customer.-Chris
Apparently there are others that have had the same success that you have, but you can expect to hear the Ariane bashers giving another opinion. It's getting old at this point, but it will continue, even though it won't make a difference.
My problem with Ariane is that I can't see a value in their product. Any product where repaints have to be purchased at $18.50 a shot, sounds like the type of thing packaged and sold through a T.V. infomercial. Add to that some strategically placed customer reviews and glowing reports of satisfaction.Even if all the reports of Ariane and P.T. were false, I can't get past the way their product is presented. The common phrase "looks like a duck, walks like a duck" applies here...Having said that, I'm dead set against the bashing of the people who've purchased it. Some think those who buy from Ariane are buying into some type of attack on our hobby. I often equate this to our being Microsoft customers. There's people in the unemployment lines due to Microsoft's handling of the competition. Doesn't matter if their conduct was legal or not....it's the way they do business. But the truth is, we would all starve to death if we put morals and ethics before need. When we grab a Soda, a cracker, or eat what we think is an "organic" vegetable, we are often digging into some type of business practice which has hurt someone, somewhere.But I can think of far better examples of customer service and value, many of them freeware. Using the example of the dial-up issues for those who bought the cockpit, it took them a heck of a lot longer than 10-15 minutes to take ownership of the issue.What is evident, is that the recent GMAX 737 series was modelled well, and adds wing views only a few developers (like Simubuild) have embraced in the commercial jets. My tune towards Ariane would change if I could buy it, and upload repaints from the library here....-John
John,If that is the only problem you have with Ariane, then life is good. As it's called the 'free enterprise' system. And most of us in the free world subscribe to it.Years ago, when I retired from working for our government, (too long a story), I got into the sports car racing industry. My forte was the Porsche automobile. Now a car is a car, is a car. Some cost more, some do the mode of transportation different than others, but they all motivate down the road.I've heard many individuals ask: "How can someone pay 75K for a Porsche . . . my house didn't cost that much", (granted, earlier times and a different economy), but the point is, 'because they want to, or they can aford to'. Pretty simple if you think about it.Ariane has been blasted more times than I can think, and in truth, generally by individuals who have an agenda -- or a bone to pick for their own personal reasons. Myself, I have bought items from them, been satisfied and had no major problems. And, I have found their support to be as good as anyones. End of story for me.Best to all,Clayton T. DopkeMajor, USAF (retired)"Drac"B52Drivr@aol.com
I'll stay neutral here! I love the GMAX 734, but it would be better if the repaints would be free, not that you have to pay 20 bucks for them!
Good post Clayton...The irony for me is I've been sometimes, even this morning, quite tempted to hit the "add to basket" button. But being stuck with one livery is a fairly difficult thing to stomach (having said that, I'd probably go with UAL. They fly everywhere).But there's been quite a few hanging questions about quality. One recent post said parts of the wings were invisible at night. The person noted that inquiries to Ariane weren't helping. Another post in the screenshot forum today voiced concerns about spoiler deployment. For the price this product is offered at, consumers should demand perfection and receive it promptly. This product is based on nothing but visual quality. That has to be top notch.As for free enterprise, a common ploy among businesses is to ratchet up the price a notch, to make consumers think something is a hot commodity. It may be "free" enterprise, but it isn't "smart" enterprise if the company goes belly up. In this economy, most firms which play that game aren't in it for the customer. Contrary to what some may think about free enterprise, the customer is on the minds of most businesses that consider themselves long-term players.I've worked on the "supply" side of the equation for years. We never raised our prices for goods or services out of hand or as part of some game to make the consumer think they are buying a Porsche vs. a Yugo. It's just my opinion, but that's what I think Ariane is up to. Can't see any new feature in the product that merits a 20 pct. price hike, nor can I see any cost factor which merits such a hike. All I see is cunning and greed...
John:Not a valid gripe. Ariane are working on a freeware repaint system. But if I am offering United for free, why would any1 buy Ariane's? They're doing a livery repaint system so some liveries are free, some payware. So you WILL get freeware liveries if you buy. Now, why is it expensive? Heck, with all the bad advertising certain people have been publicating and voicing of them, people don't buy... So you have little demand, but need to keep the site up, and all that stuff... So those of us who wanna buy pay the price. Not fair, but a reality of life, I guess. :) I am basically hoping Ariane IS Tishma, cuz if not how much damage are we causing a group with unique quality in this community? Because let's face it... Their products are the BEST in their type in this community... People overlook achievements because of the bad points. Poor thing.Cheers,http://www.simubuild.com/gfx/banner/SBB_Pimentel.jpgAA RULES!!! :)Download my semi-photoreal AA 757!:http://ftp.avsim.com/library/sendfile.php?DownloadID=16882Aerolineas Argentinas A330-200 NOW AVAILABLE!!http://www.thevivcorp.com/~fyarepaints/MyR.../posky332ar.zipChrome AA 767 NOW AVAILABLE!!http://www.thevivcorp.com/~fyarepaints/MyR...osky767aaV1.zipDominicana de Aviacion 727-53C NOW AVAILABLE!!http://www.thevivcorp.com/~fyarepaints/MyRepaints/dom722.zip______________________________"Whenever you find yourself in the side of the majority it's time to pause and reflect" - Mark Twain
Because of your work with Simubuild, I respect your evaluation of the aircraft. I consider the A340 the best of what I have, so that's high praise for you to rank the 737 highly.Still...if the only way I can obtain a UAL, S/W and Continental livery is to pay for all, then I can't fathom the value. The simple question is, can I purchase the UAL model, then dl someone's SW repaint? I believe Ariane would sell thousands of units if they practiced a fully open repaint policy. By using this type of pricing structure, they limit themselves a lot less--that's been proven time and time again. I think that in part is what raised eyebrows so quickly, as livery control was a hallmark of P.T's style. But in fairness, other popular vendors have been mentioned which do the same thing....I skipped out from those purchases because I'm not going to pay for an aircraft that offers a void where the wing's supposed to be. I'm really proud of Simubuild for making the virtual wing a part of their offerings. To me, it's worth a heck of a lot more than a V/C.... On Wednesday, I'll be flying to California (ironically in a SW 737-300). Chances are, I'm more likely to see a wing than a cockpit during the flight :)
In all my posts over the last few days, I've tried to argue the 'value-for-money' aspect of Ariane's new planes, albeit quite aggressively because of the personal knowledge and experience I have of the person behind Ariane. To those who found anything I said 'over the top' or insulting (with the obvious exception of one particular 'person'), I wholeheartedly apologise.But my questions remain, and would apply to ANY commercial developer who was doing what Ariane are doing:The Aeroflot GMAX 737-400 sells at
Hello Everyone,We at Calibre Software Solutions value everyone's thoughts.We are in the process of development of Weather Maker Enhanced Edition and the Professional Edition, but as of recently we have noticed a lot of new weather products come out. Thus we are beginning to wonder if this is not overkill.Thus we wanted to know what your thoughts were about Weather Maker, what you want to see improved, and other additional features you would like to see.Thank you for your time.Sincerely,Reed StoughPresident - Calibre Software SolutionsEmail: reedstough@calibresoftware.com
We should all wait for the FS2004 which is going to bring major changes to weather. And then will be clear what sort of weather improvements will make sense to pursue.Michael J.
Not overkill at all. Competition is good for the market ;-)I personally would like to see less charged for WM. I would like to use a payware weather generator software, but I don't want to pay 20+ for it. I know your program is good, but....:)
hi,first off,i really like weathermaker 1.4,i use it with every flight,i'm amazed at how it works,so i think you should just continue with the enhanced/pro editions,for you use quite a unique way of "doing" the weather....i'm hooked to this,that's fer sure ;-)regards
Thank you all who have contributed either by writing in this forum, or sending me a direct email with your thoughts and opinions.We will be evaluating this situation carefully. Thank you again for all the interest.Sincerely,Reed Stough
Although the warnings have been in the air for the past year or more, it is now official: all games (PC, Console, etc) are to be restricted to the new 7 1/2 by 5 1/4 inch packaging... Just slightly larger than the DVD/CD cases they'll come in. Depth you ask? Hows 1 inch strike you.Of course, the cost savings in real manuals, cardboard packaging and retail shelf space aren't getting passed to the consumer... Rue that thought. Prices stay exactly the same (which continues their steady rise of course - specially in the console space).You have to love this quote:"In the '80s, environmental groups assailed the music industry over the original cardboard "longboxes" for CDs. But, to the surprise of many in the PC industry, there never was a similar clamor about the oversized PC boxes. "It always struck me that was at least one bullet we seemed to dodge," says Doug Lowenstein, president of the Interactive Digital Software Association, a trade group."Gee... I wonder why there wasn't a clamor? Could it be because these now empty cardboard boxes actually used to *have something in them* like extremely useful manuals? Maybe if CD longboxes would have had actual useful content in them like game boxes *used to have*, less complaints would have been heard. But of course, lets not state THAT argument.I also find it extremely insulting when the argument is made: "Just print the thing yourself from the CD manual". Uh, those that make that argument must be Richie Rich decedents as far as I can tell... In my reality, printing a 400 page spot color manual on my inkjet would cost well over a hundred bucks (inkjet printers are dirt cheap and sold for near loss these days for a reason: they milk you like no tomorrow on the ink - of course). *We* can't mass produce them like game manufactures once did. Nice "ideal" though.Anyway, for your reading "pleasure", the information can be had here:http://www.cdrinfo.com/Sections/News/Detai...?RelatedID=2623Goodbye printed manual... I'll miss ya!Elrond
Thats true Francois... For now.I subscribe to a few highly specific developer mags as well as three general purpose mags: game, computer and science related. In the past year however, two of the four specialized developer mags have gone online only - albeit at a reduction in subscription price (but not by as much as they *must* be saving). While the content is just as good, its a tad hard to read myself to sleep each night on my laptop! Or enjoy my washroom near as much as I used to (its always been my favorite reading room in the house :-)). Or read on a laptop while stuck in traffic (which is now illegal where I live anyway). etc, etc.While the big three mags are still delivered by mail, two of them have online versions now you can subscribe to. I have no doubt they'll follow the way of the more specialized mags at some point and stop physical versions.I keep waiting for the supposed revolution in digital e-book devices, but to date they all suck (I know, I've bought - and returned - three). Either they are unwieldy in weight even at paperback size, their screens simply suck, or the battery life on them is horrible. Until a good e-book specific device that will last 20-50 hours between charges, has a 24bit or better screen that actually works out of doors and isn't the size of a postage stamp, is the weight of your standard real paperback book, and doesn't cost more than $199 US appears, I think a law should be passed making online only versions of ANY for-pay magazine or manual illegal!Well, maybe not. :-) But you catch my drift...Take care,Elrond
Until the consumers all get together and say "enough already!!!" manufacturers will continue to try reducing their costs by depriving us (the consumer). There IS still such a thing as supply and demand, but unfortunately the public seems more willing these days to simply "go along" and just accept whatever is thrown their way. (There sure must be a lot of rich folks out there; they obviously don't care and the poor folks don't buy computers and related items anyway.) Don't even get me started on the printer/ink cartridge situation!!!And I better quit while I'm ahead or this is going to turn into a REALLLLY long rant. :-lol -Lindy :-wave
It really does stink that although publishers have saved themseleves tons of money by no longer having to print the manuals, we the consumer, have not. I wonder where all that extra money we spend is going? It cost me an extra $40 (I took them to the printers as my inkjet would have taken a year to print them all and cost me twice as much in ink catridges and paper)to print all the manuals for 767 PIC on top of the $80 (CDN) I paid for the software. And as for the printed magazines? Thank God there is still something on paper. I do my best thinking in the loo;) Kinda tough to haul my desktop in there!CF-AOA
95% of users don't read the manual anyway, so there is no real need for it...And for those that do want it, they can print it.Good for the environment, which is always a big seller.Personally, I don't mind all that much. The last company that made quality manuals for games died years ago, that was Jane's.
Personally, I like the .pdf manuals that some with games these days. It is better for the environment, & saves space. I don't really mind them. :)
>It really does stink that although publishers have saved >themseleves tons of money by no longer having to print the >manuals, we the consumer, have not. I wonder where all that >extra money we spend is going? It cost me an extra $40 (I >took them to the printers as my inkjet would have taken a >year to print them all and cost me twice as much in ink >catridges and paper)to print all the manuals for 767 PIC on >top of the $80 (CDN) I paid for the software. Two comments, we are releasing FSMaintenance in a DVD style box but it DOES contain the full printed manual, depending on what box you choose (withing the set standard) you can get up to 80 pages of manual in there.In the current market of games and add-on for games the price of a product is very important and the price is partly dictated by the production cost. But whatever happens, customers pay for it, so if we can keep production costs down it will in the end be good for the customer.We did a survey on how many customers actually print the manuals I wrote, after asking 172 customers we only found 11% who did print the manual. I think this is rather standard (how many of you printed the FS2002 manuals?) So, for most customers there are no additional costs in providing PDF manuals. And there are advantages as well. I believe the manual should be where the product is, inside FS2002. That's why our manuals are either full blown help files that can be run inside Fs2002 or PDF files that can be called from within FS2002.In the end it is all economics. To be specific for FS, creating add-ons these days is MUCH more expensive then it was 5 years ago, simply because matters are all so much more complex and customers expect much more. As the average price of the product has gone done and the market has not expanded much we only have the option of a serious raising of the price or to try to keep production costs down. Mathijs KokLAGO Concepts & Developments
Hi Mathijs,While I have no doubt your survey was accurate, it didn't ask the right question in my opinion. The question should have been how many wanted a real manual as opposed to having to print one themselves? I'm actually suprised that 11% did print them since the expense is so high I'd have bet it would have been lower.For many games, I really couldn't care much about a printed manual either. But simulations and the like are exactly that: simulations of real life. While it doesn't take much to understand the mechanics behind shooting an alien with a laser gun, it *does* take a lot to understand how to accurately fly a 747 or almost any aircraft (or how to start these up for that matter). Many, I'm sure, couldn't care less what the real startup procedure is for such a craft (and thus FS doesn't have that type of realism either), but the popularity of the PIC addons and the Fly! series shows that there are a ton who do, too.Because of the above, the trend in no printed manuals will only help dumb down games and sims even further.You do bring up a great point though: if printed manuals must go, then both pdf AND in-game help files must become the norm. There's nothing worse than being in a game and needing to look something up than having to quit just to read a non-physical manual. The trend in PDF only manuals only makes the trend in non-printed manuals that much more painful. Since the developers are absolutely saving some serious cash not having to provide printed manuals, it should be demanded at the least they provide offline pdf AND online in-game help in their stead. In game help shouldn't be a second thought either: it should be just as detailed as a pdf version, but hyperlinked and easier to navigate.Take care,Elrondhttp://members.rogers.com/eelvish/Boycott-RIAA.jpeg]"A musician without the RIAA, is like a fish without a bicycle."[/font://http://members.rogers.com/eelvish/B...cle."[/b][/font://http://members.rogers.com/eelvish/B...cle."[/b][/font
way too large. You can only read them not print them. You can only read half a page on the screen because one is landscape the other portrait. They don't scroll with the mouse whell. I prefer either Word docs or better still HTML.Before some of you were born, manuals came in small three ring binders that included pages of plastic pockets that held, what was then termed, 'floppy disks. That was a long time ago.
Mathijs,Have to agree with Elrond - it wasn't the right question. There is no way I would attempt to print my Lago manuals, but it would have been awfully nice to actually have them. It's a bit like asking:"Would you buy this magazine for $10?""No!""OK, would you buy it for $5?""Yes!"I looked everywhere for FSSE in a box. Couldn't find it anywhere.To extrapolate upon Elrond's original post, how long will it be before you don't even go into a shop at all, and *all* software is downloaded? Wasn't this concept vaguely touched upon in Microsoft's long term plans for their ".net" concept?
There is a boxed version of FSSE available, at least in Germany and the Netherlands.Aerosoft in Germany sells it through their website I believe.About when everything will be downloaded instead of boxed, not anytime soon I think.As long as not everyone has reliable broadband internet (even now the percentage of people who have that is no more than 10-20% depending on geographic area) it is simply impractical.Over my modem at home, I can get 15MB per hour when I'm lucky. Wouldn't want to download FS2002 (almost 2GB of data on those 3 CDs) that way, as it would take forever (and cost me more than going to a shop and buying a boxed version even if the downloadable one is substantially cheaper).That download would cost me approximately $80 in phonecharges alone (and 137 hours or so), plus the say $40 MS might charge for it. Even if the price of the boxed version were $100 (instead of the $80 it is here) I'd still be cheaper of with a box. And FS2004 will probably add another 600MB or so of data, which is another 45 hours or $30.
Actually on that point, I am stuck with 56kbit bandwidth and will have to be for some time. In Australia, we really are in the dark ages when it comes to the proliferation of broadband.I recently contacted the two largest broadband providers in Australia (Optus and Telstra). Both advised that ADSL is not available to me, nor is cable. That only leaves satellite. Apparently ADSL will be available at some stage but they can't say when. I'm not even sure how good an investment broadband technology is at present. It is frightfully expensive and I'd venture to suggest very few users in Oz use broadband on a private basis. I'm sure just about all use is by medium and large businesses.
Hey Jon,Thats an interesting point. You might think about setting up some sort of wireless co-operative with a group of neighbors (if you don't live way out in the outback that is :-)). There are a lot of these popping up in the States and Canada. Basically, if you can find somewhere in your relative neighborhood that *can* be hooked up to broadband, you setup two or three users with them. Then those users setup WiFi network nodes (802.11b or the faster but expensive 11a) and broadcast the internet connection to the rest of the co-op. Some users at the edge of the wireless network setup repeaters to extend its reach. As the co-op grows and more people are added (or more bandwidth needed), you simply add more nodes to the original feed.By setting up a co-op like this, many people can share connections between each other - specially those who might not have access to them to begin with. It of course depends upon the rules and regulations of the service providers down there and the availability of access *somewhere* in your region. Even when ISP's balk however, court action, at least here in North America, has so far upheld the legality of running a co-op - as long as it is non-profit. I'm not sure what the laws are like down there, but it might be something to check into. While the speed isn't as great as a non-shared connection, if managed properly it can be damn close. Initial setup is somewhat expensive as well, but if you spread the cost around to enough people, it ends up being cheaper than individual access in the long run. And hey, its wireless, so you can watch the dingoes (or Shelia's ;-)) out on the back porch while chatting to us on AVSIM... :-) At the least, serious talk of doing such just might light a fire under the providers to step on the gas a bit - and keep prices reasonable.Take care,Elrondhttp://members.rogers.com/eelvish/Boycott-RIAA.gif]"A musician without the RIAA, is like a fish without a bicycle."[/font://http://members.rogers.com/eelvish/B...cle."[/b][/font://http://members.rogers.com/eelvish/B...cle."[/b][/font
That is an interesting suggestion. Here in Oz the telecommunications industry is highly regulated (as I am sure it is in other countries as well). The Government still has 51% ownership of Telstra, Australia's largest comms provider, but total privatisation of Telstra has been on the political agenda for quite some time. Telstra is openly commmitted to extending broadband coverage so that, to quote the catchphrase, it will be within everyone's reach - physically and economically. A significant benchmark upon which the decision to privatise rests, is the improvement of service availability to "the bush". But of course here in Oz nearly all of us live in coastal regions well away from bush. I live in what would be deemed a "coastal" region (let's define that as within 60 nm of a coastline - it's a *wide* country), but then again not exactly right near the city neon lights either :-lol. Apparently one reason the broadband infrastructure is not available yet is that I live in a fairly new area, where the oldest house is only 5 years old. My house was only built late last year and according to Telstra uses a different phone technology to older areas (something about pair gain fibre-optics). This, Telstra says, explains why ADSL is 12 - 18 months away, as they do not yet have the required telephone exchange technology to accommodate ADSL where I live. It's a work-in-progress. It still doesn't explain the lack of a cable infrastructure though. One of the principal ideas behind these new "modern" estates is that all the comms infrastructure is supposed available from day one. Compare that to where I lived as a kid and where my mother continues to live. That house was built in 1965 and we had the telephone connected a while later in around 1967 (you had to wait between 12 months and two years back then for a telephone service). She now has the option of dial-up, ADSL, cable and satellite. Tough choice.Not to take anything away from where I live (it's a great area), but you wouldn't (or maybe you would) believe the general lack of computer savvy that exists in the community. Only one of my neighbours has even used the internet. Only a very small proportion of my acquaintances use the internet privately. Your suggestion sounds great, but as you might visualise, I can't help thinking that at present it would might be like trying to sell sand bags in the desert :-lolThe problem with satellite at the moment is that only the one-way option is reasonably priced. So you still need to use your ISDN 56k dial-up connection for uploading. The full two way option is completely unaffordable, at least for myself and 99% of the population. Of course the big advantage with ADSL is that it uses the phone line without interfering with it's ability to transmit voice data. The bandwidth is theorectically around 60% that of cable's peak bandwidth. ADSL would still, however, be adequate for multimedia I would expect.So Elrond, if we could just more people in Oz actually interested in the Internet to start with, things would improve significantly and with quite some haste!
I can think of two games I've bought in the past two months that have very thorough manuals, yet came in the new smaller packaging. One is without a doubt Warcraft III, which had a very lengthy printed manual - the other is IL-2 Sturmovik. I personaly like the smaller boxes, however I do feel that prices should have been lowered on most games accordingly...