New To VATSIM.

[Mikhael Ahmad 1045653]

Hello All,

 

Although I am not new to Flight Sim, It's very much my first time on VATSIM. I do apologise if this post is quite repetitive of others made although I have a couple of questions that I think would be better coming "straight from the horses mouth", so here goes:

 

Firstly as there are now two popular and majorly used FS programs being used which do you reccommend I would be better suited to for use on VATISM. Im quite comfertable with both programs, although due to my system spec I am able to run FS2004 on a much higher graphics setting thus allowing me alot of features than that of FSX. But from your own experience which is most popular amongst the pilots and ATC's here?

 

Secondly will I need to purchase any software to be able to connect to the servers? I have glanced over the Pilot Software and am slightly confused, however I will take a crack at that first and If I have any problems will be sure to let you guys know .

 

I think at the moment Im just sifting through alot of information and eager to get going. But I'd like to set this up on a program that is being used most commonly by the frequent users. Oh and one last thing, If I have add-on software (i.e. 3rd party aircraft), can I have it so that other pilots and ATC on the servers can see it as it is?

 

Any help is greatly appreciated.

 

Thanks.

[Lennart Vedin]

First you need to do is go to www.vatsim.net > NEW PILOTS START HERE. There is the place to find most answers.

 

As you run FS2004, you have two chose of VATSIM client program, Squawkbox 3 or FSInn. There are no VATSIM client payware, only freeware. You need one of the client to fly VATSIM since VATSIM do not use the FS built in Multiplayer.

 

You need to pay nothing to fly VATSIM, but only your own FlightSim and hardware.

 

Squawkbox 3 are the most common client for FS2004 user, and some user do say Squawkbox 3 is somehow litte more easy to setup first time compare to FSInn. However both clients are popular. For FSX user currently only FSInn works.

 

ATC and other pilots will see you as you chose from a list of aircrafts and deliveries in your VATSIM client software, no matter what addon or aircraft you select or have in FS. There are a lot of aircrafts and deliveries in the list you can chose from.

 

I.e. it is possible to fly Boeing 747, but select Cessna in VATSIM client and other see you as Cessna (but of cause you should not do this).

Edited January 28, 2008 at 07:36 PM by Guest

[Mikhael Ahmad 1045653]

First you need to do is go to www.vatsim.net > NEW PILOTS START HERE. There is the place to find most answers.

 

As you run FS2004, you have two chose of VATSIM client program, Squawkbox 3 or FSInn. There are no VATSIM client payware, only freeware. You need one of the client to fly VATSIM since VATSIM do not use the FS built in Multiplayer.

 

You need to pay nothing to fly VATSIM, but only your own FlightSim and hardware.

 

Squawkbox 3 are the most common client for FS2004 user, and some user do say Squawkbox 3 is somehow litte more easy to setup first time compare to FSInn. However both clients are popular. For FSX user currently only FSInn works.

 

Ahh excellent stuff, yes I had a go at FS2004 with FSInn and came accross this error:

 

Failed to create FSCopilotFSInn.Chat (CWNDFS98MAIN = c55e04)

 

I have no idea what it means if somone could fill me in, however this was the only problem I encountered. But I think I will do what you have said and have a go with Squawk Box 3, if it is a bit more user friendly.

 

Another quick question with FSInn; through the flight planner screen can I really use it for creating a FP and sending it the tower, or is it better to type my Plan through the Chat box (if I get it to work)? Or am I talking a load of rubbish?

 

Thanks for the info Lennart.

[Lennart Vedin]

I don't know FSInn my self, only relay what people wrote in forum.

 

In general. You should use the VATSIM client menu to write and send FlightPlan to VATSIM or the www.vatsim.net online FlightPlan form, not the client chat.

 

For fail like "Failed to create FSCopilotFSInn.Chat (CWNDFS98MAIN = c55e04)", write in forum "FSInn Help" or "Squawkbox Help" (or http://www.squawkbox.ca ) respective , there might be a fix or help for each issue.

[Larry James 901346]

Hello All,

 

Although I am not new to Flight Sim, It's very much my first time on VATSIM. I do apologise if this post is quite repetitive of others made although I have a couple of questions that I think would be better coming "straight from the horses mouth", so here goes:

 

Firstly as there are now two popular and majorly used FS programs being used which do you reccommend I would be better suited to for use on VATISM. Im quite comfertable with both programs, although due to my system spec I am able to run FS2004 on a much higher graphics setting thus allowing me alot of features than that of FSX. But from your own experience which is most popular amongst the pilots and ATC's here?

 

ATC wouldn’t know which version of Flight Simulator you’re using unless you told them.

 

Since FSX is newer, more people still have the older version. Many who has used the older version for a long time would miss using their money investment of the addon’s they’ve gotten used to. So they continue to use what they are confortible with.

 

Since you have both, you might not immediately miss either. But if you use one for a very long time, then decide to switch, you might miss the one you use for a long time, for a little while. But if you switch up to the latested, it’s my opinion tha t you wouldn’t miss the older version long.

 

I prefer FSX. Of course, again, that’s my opinion. I never invested a lot of money on addons, so mostly using the defaults that come with FSX, I find I have a much realistic environment with FSX’s defaults. I also like all the enhanements that comes with it, such as the smootheness of operation.

 

I get twice as many FPS in FS2004 as I get with FSX. But even with less FPS, FSX looks much more realistic and operates much smoother than FS2004.

 

So, again, it’s your preference of which you use. Since FS9 is most likely more prevelant, but I think you’d do better to invest in the newest rather than the older technology.

 

Secondly will I need to purchase any software to be able to connect to the servers? I have glanced over the Pilot Software and am slightly confused, however I will take a crack at that first and If I have any problems will be sure to let you guys know .

 

No, the only purchase you need for VATSIM is Flight Simulator. This is referenced on the first page of the PRC ( http://www.vatsim.net/prc ). You’ll also see the two free pilot clients that are available for flight simulator on this same page.

 

I think at the moment Im just sifting through alot of information and eager to get going. But I'd like to set this up on a program that is being used most commonly by the frequent users. Oh and one last thing, If I have add-on software (i.e. 3rd party aircraft), can I have it so that other pilots and ATC on the servers can see it as it is?

 

Unless the other pilots have the exact models as you, they won’t see you exactly. But they will most likely see a closes enough rendition. It’s all handled by the software.

 

Personally, I’d think that you’d make a mistake by trying to get what most people have (FS9), because they have had this for a long time, and many will eventually be upgrading. Just starting out, it would be better that you invest in the newer technology than the older.

 

Again, that’s my opinion, with something for you to consider. I’m sure you’ll get lots of input, and others will have their opinion for staying with the older version. I notice everyday more and more people upgrading. I also notice many messages on the Squawkbox site where people are anxious for SB4 to be released so that they can upgrade their FSX. Almost daily new users are starting to ask questions about how to install FSInn, because they have finally upgraded their Flight Simulator.

 

First you need to do is go to www.vatsim.net > NEW PILOTS START HERE. There is the place to find most answers.

 

As you run FS2004, you have two chose of VATSIM client program, Squawkbox 3 or FSInn. There are no VATSIM client payware, only freeware. You need one of the client to fly VATSIM since VATSIM do not use the FS built in Multiplayer.

 

You need to pay nothing to fly VATSIM, but only your own FlightSim and hardware.

 

Squawkbox 3 are the most common client for FS2004 user, and some user do say Squawkbox 3 is somehow litte more easy to setup first time compare to FSInn. However both clients are popular. For FSX user currently only FSInn works.

 

Ahh excellent stuff, yes I had a go at FS2004 with FSInn and came accross this error:

 

Failed to create FSCopilotFSInn.Chat (CWNDFS98MAIN = c55e04)

 

Take a look at the first message in the FSInn Help forum under the Trouble Shooting Section:

 

Announcement – Installing FSInn

http://forums.vatsim.net/viewtopic.php?t=20466

 

I have no idea what it means if somone could fill me in, however this was the only problem I encountered. But I think I will do what you have said and have a go with Squawk Box 3, if it is a bit more user friendly.

 

While I find both packages to be very well written and user friendly, I find FSInn to be more user friendly. I also find the most animate messages suggesting that FSInn is hard are usually ones who haven’t actually used FSInn. I use both and speak from personal experience.

 

With both programs you have to download the application. With both program you have to click on the what you downloaded to install it. There’s nothing special to the install of either except pressing ENTER at any prompt and you have the program installed.

 

With both programs you have to put in your UserID and P[Mod - Happy Thoughts]word. With both programs, you finally click on the option to connect to VATSIM.

 

This is where many people get lost. When they mention they are using FSInn, the response is usually though it’s an FSInn problem, take it to the FSInn support group. With SB3, it’s usually a matter of answering the next step, which is in the PRC under First Flight.

 

In other words, after installing the program from there you use your Flight Simulator and fly your plane. The pilot client doesn’t matter.

 

Of course, when I said FSInn was easier, it’s some of the features that I find convenient for me (as well as a new user if he cared to look at them) that makes things easier. But that’s another story, and something that doesn’t have to be considered when all you want to do is just connect to VATSIM, then fly your Flight Simulator’s aircraft.

 

Another quick question with FSInn; through the flight planner screen can I really use it for creating a FP and sending it the tower, or is it better to type my Plan through the Chat box (if I get it to work)? Or am I talking a load of rubbish?

 

Thanks for the info Lennart.

 

You would never type a flight plan in the chat box. Either use the flight plan option in your pilot client or the website link mentioned in the PRC. You’ll find all this in the PRC under First Flight.

 

-- L. James

 

--

L. D. James

[email protected]

www.apollo3.com/~ljames

[Mikhael Ahmad 1045653]

Larry, thanks for taking the time to write such a lengthy section.

 

I have taken into account what you have said, and tested FSInn on both FS2004 and FSX, although I am unable to have the graphical settings where I would like, I think i have found a good medium. I agree with what you said about the "smoothness" of FSX as compared to 2004. Not only this but the quality of sound from the ATC and other pilots has vastly improved for some peculiar reason. Thanks for the links too, I did manage to fix that problem with the chat box. Also from having a go at both apps, the features on FSInn are suited better to me.

 

So anyway, I have it all up and running now, time for me to hit the reading material I think.

 

Thanks to you both for the [Mod - Happy Thoughts]istance and input.