Farewell from Garry

[Garry Richards]

Hi everyone,

Serendipity is a wonderful thing.

A few months ago I decided to retire from software development for the second time, the first being when I retired officially 16 years ago. Recently I have been discussing with friends the future maintenance and development options for VisualPSX when, a few days ago, the world shifted on its axis with the release of Mark's ExternalSim software to link PSX to P3D.

At first I saw it as something that VisualPSX might plug into to produce smoother movement, removing the need for my smoothing procedures, then I learnt that runway offsets are no longer needed, removing a major and complex function and eliminating the need for RunwaysPSX. Today Mark announced that he is adding ancillary features such as gear and lights, plus traffic transfer and other things. That eliminates the need for TrafficPSX and the remaining functions of VisualPSX.

So I can now announce my retirement from the PSX world. There will be no further development or maintenance of the VisualPSX suite as it is no longer necessary. I am very, very pleased that another developer is now covering these areas and using the newer external sim facility in P3D. PSX has deserved improvements here for some time and a fresh approach is exactly what is needed. I will continue to monitor the forum for a while and will offer any useful advice that I can if required.

My involvement in flight simulation through Vatsim and its predecessor, with the inspiration of Matt Sheil and his magnificent 747 simulator, through Hardy's clever PS1 and the quite extraordinary PSX, and with the encouragement of all the great guys I have met along the way, in person and through this and the earlier forums, has provided me with great pleasure over these 16 years. My time now increasingly involves extended overseas travel and flying real aircraft and I should continue to do both while my health is sound.

Thank you all for your support and encouragement. I wish you continued enjoyment and satisfaction in your involvement with PSX.

Cheers,

[Hardy Heinlin]

Hi Garry,

I'll miss you ...

It's sad, but I also understand your decision, of course. I wish you all the best!

Thank you very much for all your precious contributions over these many years!


Cheers!

|-|ardy

[brian747]

Hi Garry!

The art of identifying the right moment to make a dignified exit is always a difficult one, and we each have to identify that moment for ourselves since no one else can assist us with such a decision, or indeed attempt to influence it. You have clearly identified such a moment, so please accept my warmest best wishes for your intended future.

I have enormously enjoyed and appreciated your invaluable software adjuncts to Precision Simulator over the years (and in fact will to continue to do so, since I am amongst those who have no wish to transfer to P3D if they can possibly help it, and hence using Mark's software is not an option for me). I cannot think how to adequately convey to you my appreciation for the pleasure and satisfaction which using your software has given, but in any event please be assured of my deepest and most sincere thanks.

Long may you enjoy the travel and aviation activities that you have planned!

With every good wish,

Brian

[Chris Kilroy]

Garry,

Your work with VisualPSX was what ultimately convinced me that I could build a flyable 747-400 sim in the house using PSX to drive the avionics and P3D for the "out the window" view. For that, I will always be indebted to you. If your world travels ever bring you to Vegas, drinks are on me (seriously; shoot me a PM)!

[Mark]

Hi Garry,

I have a huge amount of respect for developers who cleanly tell their community that they are ending their involvement - it prevents many people from getting frustrated at projects that seem to be stale/in limbo, so thank you for letting us know.

I don't think that my ExternalSim software is a serious competitor to VisualPSX in so many ways (yet?). I've got many more things to add and it will take me some time to work out the PSX to SimConnect bridging logic for the ancillary features (any help will be most appreciated). Please consider keeping the VisualPSX suite available to the community for some time yet. 

I wish you safe and enjoyable travels.

-Mark

[ScudRunner]

Garry,

I can only add a `hear hear!' to the sentiments already posted.

26 years ago I took the very difficult decision to walk away from a career in commercial aviation. Since that time I have been relying on simulation to replace some of the excitement and challenge that I got from my flying. The closest (by far) I have come is the integration of Hardy's brilliant creation coupled with your suite of utilities and some great flights on VATSIM.

Very much indebted to you two gentlemen.

Blue skys, cold beers and good health!

Scud.

[GodAtum]

Garry,

Also echoing the words above, I wish you and your family well for the future. thank you for your contribution to this small but friendly community

[cagarini]

Garry,

a BIG Thank You for all your dedication and support to the Aerowinx PSX user community.

VisualPSX, together with XView, were the only add-ons I ever used with PSX, and it provided a great experience when I was using FSX and then latter P3D.

All of the Best!

José

[Britjet]

Garry,

Many thanks for all your hard work and the wonderful VisualPSX and TrafficPSX - and for both FSX and P3D platforms too!
It has been a very generous contribution. The link between your software and PSX has enabled me to enjoy home-built "flying" to a remarkable degree. The gap between level-D and more affordable simulation has been narrowed considerably thanks to you.
May I wish you the best of luck with your endeavours. Please keep looking in!

Peter

[tango4]

As many other people here already said, this community would not be what it is without people like you.
I can only say thank you for all your efforts and dedication and wish you the best of luck in your future projects.
As Mark mentioned above, your honesty must be absolutely respected and is much appreciated.

Take care and keep flying !

Charles

[Avi]

Wind calm, clear for takeoff Garry 1 

[Hessel Oosten]

Garry,

As written before:

http://aerowinx.com/board/index.php?topic=3442.msg35200#msg35200

when you made THE visuals available to us:

The Garry Richards award goes to.......Garry Richards.

Many, many thanks for your computing efforts, but may be even more, for your always friendly help for everyone here !

Stay, (may be only reading the forum), with us.

Hessel

[cavaricooper]

Garry-

To echo sentiments expressed, I remain deeply obliged. Your software and a certain person's constant urging to explore the possibilities and wonder of the combination; have transformed my simming.  PSX is unique and wonderful, but as I expressed in another post, sometimes there is no substitute for immersive visuals. Your work allowed me to obtain the best of both worlds.

God Speed, God Bless, and should you ever find yourself in Tampa, give us a ring... Steaks on me.

Best- C

[B747-400]

Hi Garry,

all the best from here as well, and many, many  thanks!

Enjoy your retirement 

Cheers
Hans

[Zapp]

Hi Garry,

Goodbye, and thanks for all the fish!

No seriously tho, thanks for all the fun from Rome, Italy, and when you intend to visit here, dinner, beer, and a night tour of this not-so-bad place are on me!

Take care

Andrea

[CarlBB]

Hi Garry,

A name we won't we forget - thank you for what you have done and very best wishes for the future.

Carl

[Frans Spruit]

Garry,

thank you very much for all your work. I wish you all the best and
enjoy.

Frans Spruit
EHAM

[martin]

Hello Garry,

as a certified sucker for scenery and clouds (" Aviate, navigate, communicate, and gaze at the landscape!"), I'd like to add my sincere thanks for the gift of your splendid work and support.
Best wishes for your future endeavours; may they not involve software! (or?? )

Cheers,
Martin

[J D ADAM]

Thank you Garry for all your great work and for all the time you spent on me sorting out problems.
If you are over in Auckland please contact me, so that I can in some small way repay you for your generosity

Derek

[emerydc8]

Gary,

Thanks so much for all the work you've put into Visual PSX. I am always amazed at how easy it is to open and how seamlessly it interfaces PSX with FSX. Best of luck with your aviation endeavors!

Cheers,
Jon D.