Just to hijack for a hot second more, the X55 is *big*, so be aware if you do decide to buy it.
See the attached photo, and pardon the dust, I was busy and hadn't done it that week.
I have an x55. I love it. People have reported QC issues with it, but I haven't experienced any of them. All the buttons work, the stick is accurate and feels solid, and everythign is easy to reach and use.
No experience with the x52, but I *DO* have an x55. I haven't had any issues with it since I swapped the spring out for one of the weaker ones that came with it. I love the stick, I love the software, and I'm very happy with my purcahse. Not terribly helpful, I know, so I leave you this: You may...
I'm assuming windows has voice recognition for languages other than english, so if you can set your voice library to whatever language you speak in, it should pick you up well enough if you train the program to your voice.
I'll be buying some ships soon enough, either the redeemer or the retaliator, whichever comes out first. Only question is whether it will before you hit concierge or not.
The game itself is already free. You can pay for patron status, which gets you bonuis XP and labor points, but isn't neccesary. The open beta starts this thursday at 10 AM PST, and the head start for founders is on the 12th.