This is what I played (and enjoyed) way back when. I actually thought I was accomplishing something:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=tjzC7RAmmOY 
When Richard Branson released Space Shuttle By Virgin I thought that was the end all, Be all.. My favorite mission was to release the surveillance satellite, The ISS was still in development, So I dont remember any rendezvous or docking operations. I just saw some screenshots of it and it looked totally un-playable now. How times have changed.
So everytime I read a complaint post about SSM2007 I just laugh. I'm from the stone age as far as gaming goes. I thank the stars and shade that EXCITING SIMULATIONS took the gamble and brought shuttle simulations into the 21st century.
I totally agree to your words. I am also form the "stone-age"

in term of PC games. I have enjoyed 1992 Space Shuttle and btw the original box is still mine. However SSM2007 brings the world of simulation an extraordinary piece of software. I am really happy to see that this kind of "games" can still survive.
GREAT works Exciting Simulations

Cheers,
MichaelT