I bought FS a couple of weeks ago from GOG and have just gotten around to playing it. All I have to say is what a great game! I cut my teeth on the X-Wing and Tie Fighter games and FS definitely ranks up there with them in the space simulator/combat look and feel.
The only problem I have is how sensitive my game controller is. I've tried adjusting the dead zone and sensitivity in the game options, but it's still sensitive and makes it hard to follow and fire accurately on targets. I would use the keyboard for controls, but I'm playing on a laptop so that rules out that option. Maybe I will get used to the sensitivity, but if anyone has any tips or suggestions please let me know.
Also, anyone know where I can get the X-Wing Collectors Edition (the one that includes X-Wing and Tie Fighter revamped for Win 95/98) and if they will run on Vista? I see it available on Amazon, but it's out of my budget.

Have you tried e-bay. That is where I found mine and it wasn't as expensive as Amazon. Course I also bought mine a year and a half ago.
What kind of game controller are you using? Is it a flightstick?

I also love FS1, I bought FS1 from gog, but I don't play it, I use the fs port so I can play FS1 with FS2 graphics (with added FS open source graphics tweaks on top) I bought Gog FS1 as I thought it deserved buying in a way for paying for the port.

I finished FS1 last night a week after downloading it. Being a relative latecomer to PC gaming,my only real experience of anything like the genre was the Rogue Squadron games on N64/GC and a GBA port of wings. Despite this, I enjoyed the hell out of it. The core gameplay is great, the variet of ships and weapons is nice and the story is immersive. My only beef was with the final mission, where success seemed frustratingly random. Despite being dated and low res, the graphics did the job and didn't detract from the gameplay,although that's partially a benefit of portraying ships and not people.
So in short, dated game, never so much as heard of it, never played anything in the space sim genre, utterly fantastic experience. Proof positive,if needed, there is more to these games than nostalgia. Now if you'll excuse me, I shall now buy FS 2 :)

You will love it!

I'll check there for the X-Wing Collecor's Edition.
I'm using a cheapie Recoil GamePad with the Analog sticks from Wally World. It's not bad, but it just seems I can't find a good balance to it being sensitive but responsive. Maybe I'm just out of practice as it's been years since I've played this type of game. I'm still plugging along in the game, but it's my wing men making most of the kills and getting me through the missions.

Go to the hard light forums (i think the links are listed on top of the freespace forum stickied and get the high res packs and such for FS2 (you can also play FS1 with high res with that as well), it'll make the game even better eye candy wise without changing any actual gameplay/story.

Tuesdaysgone:
This may sound like a silly question but have you checked the calibration of your device through the OS? My Logitech flightstick once went a little wonky on me and that was the source of my problem.
How long have you had your controller for? Is it possible the analogs might be a little worn or is it just while running FS that you have this issue?

I've had my controller going on for 2 years, so that could be part of the problem. I'll double-check the calibration settings. If that doesn't help, a new controller may be in order. Thanks for your reply.