Mark Petrone 1115384 Posted June 27, 2009 at 07:50 PM Posted June 27, 2009 at 07:50 PM I am new to Vatsim, I just downloaded the X-plane demo for my mac. When I first started out, I used flight simulator, but now I am on a mac. My first impression of this is that it is the most confusing thing to use in my life. I am not the person who is going to spend thousands of dollars on equipment, but my joystick doesn't auto-configure it self or anything. It seemed like FS was so much easier to use. I am new to this so if some of yall could help me out that would be great! Thanks Mark Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Norman Blackburn Posted June 27, 2009 at 07:57 PM Posted June 27, 2009 at 07:57 PM Hi Mark, Are you aware that joystick inputs are restricted to the first 5 minutes when using the demo? Norman Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Petrone 1115384 Posted June 27, 2009 at 08:02 PM Author Posted June 27, 2009 at 08:02 PM Yes, Its 10 minutes for the demo that I am using. Does it seem to you (if you have tried FS 2004 or FSX) that it is really confusing to use? Is there a plugin to change all the controls to FS controls? Thanks Mark Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Norman Blackburn Posted June 27, 2009 at 08:05 PM Posted June 27, 2009 at 08:05 PM Hi Mark, You could probably change a lot of the keypress [Mod - Happy Thoughts]ignments however I personally never felt the need. In what way do you find the joystick confusing to use? Norman Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Petrone 1115384 Posted June 27, 2009 at 08:08 PM Author Posted June 27, 2009 at 08:08 PM I think that what makes it confusing to me is how in FS it would auto-[Mod - Happy Thoughts]ign buttons to the joystick rather than me having to [Mod - Happy Thoughts]ign them. Plus, not know what everything means is hard to. I know the basics, my grandfather had his own plane and taught me about it, but when it comes to manually starting the plane and going through the procedures there would be no way I could do that. I don't know if getting into VATSIM is getting myself in a over my head. Mark Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Norman Blackburn Posted June 27, 2009 at 08:24 PM Posted June 27, 2009 at 08:24 PM Mark, VATSIM is all about learning. Trust me when I say we all started with next to no knowledge - some say I stall have none VATSIM's PRC, whilst some might say is geared toward the Microsoft based sim, is a great starting point, as is this forum. Should you need specific help don't hesitate to ask. I'm sure one of the resident X-Plane experts will be quick to [Mod - Happy Thoughts]ist. Norman Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Petrone 1115384 Posted June 27, 2009 at 08:30 PM Author Posted June 27, 2009 at 08:30 PM Great Thanks! Is there any big differences between Xplane 8 and 9? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keith Smith Posted July 2, 2009 at 04:56 PM Posted July 2, 2009 at 04:56 PM Mark, FS was written by a relatively large team of people. Xplane was originally written by 1 person. In recent years, the core team has expanded to 4 people (if I understand correctly). Xplane is rough around the edges, no doubt about it. You're right, the joystick does not auto-configure itself. Go to the Joystick & Equipment menu, move the joystick through all of its axis, and map the particular function you want to that axis. One reason it doesn't automatically program itself is because Xplane supports multiple joysticks being hooked up simultaneously. Rather than it trying to guess what you want each axis and button to do, it starts out blank, and you set it up from scratch. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Townend 893724 Posted July 3, 2009 at 01:11 PM Posted July 3, 2009 at 01:11 PM ...Xplane is rough around the edges, no doubt about it...One reason it doesn't automatically program itself is because Xplane supports multiple joysticks being hooked up simultaneously. Rather than it trying to guess what you want each axis and button to do, it starts out blank, and you set it up from scratch. FS allows this too but since it auto confgures I find it very frustrating when it forgets my custom settings and defaults all my switches. I really don't need view toggles on my joystick, throttle quadrant AND on my rudder pedals!! Sometimes rough around the edges is exactly what I'm looking for!! FS also thinks that I have 8 buttons and 3 axes on my rudder pedals when there are physically only 2 axes! I know that X Plane is very different to FS but I would suggest giving X Plane a decent chance. Play with it for a while and it soon becomes natural - just like FS has. Mark Mark Townend --------------------------- OC 22 Group, vRAF & VFFG Founder BAv Captain (Ret'd), UK SERTS S3 (Ret'd) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts