Shareware Overload/ShartewareOverload.cdr/games/fspro.zip/FSPRO.DOC

Text File | 1988-10-24 | 15KB | 353 lines

                        FS-PRO - Series 5.0

The following files are in our archive. 10-24-88

                FSPRO.EXE
                FSPRO.DOC
                FSDIR.EXE
                AIRPORTS.ARC (includes)

                  A-Z INDEX  (Includes 601 FS Airports)
                  AIRPORT.DAT (Includes data for above)


Now includes an AIRPORT DIRECTORY that will be used for
current, and all future, modules.

Before using the directory manager, please unarc all of the
INDEX files ) AIRPORT.ARC into any directory you wish. Just
be sure to EDIT your existing PARM.OVL (parameters) or the
DEFAULT parm provided. USE FSPRO to edit parameters.

I like to set up as follows:

MicroSoft Flight Simulator C:\FLY
MODE Files(keep with FS)   C:\FLY
ADVENTURE Files            C:\FLY\ADV
MEMO/NOTES Files           C:\FLY\ADV
AIRPORT DATA Files FSIII   C:\FLY\APORT
AIRPORT DATA Files (Jepp)  C:\FLY\JEPP
FLIGHT PLANS (Series 6.0)  C:\FLY\FP


Notice the new name. Original, huh? Since everything else in
this world has the tag "PRO", I just joined the crowd.

FSADV is now a part of the FS-PRO MAIN MODULE. All of
your adventures and system parameter files are still
perfectly good if you have been using FS ADVENTURES 4.0 or
later versions. However, there is no reason to keep FSADV
for anything. All of its features are within FSPRO.EXE.


This program was designed to help track and edit all of the
different MODES that can be created using the Microsoft Flight
Simulator III program. Since we do not write any files that can be
immediately imported by Flight Simulator, we keep a list of small
files that we call ADVENTURES which have the same name as the MODE
except for a different DOS extension.

Back in the old days, we had to enter a lot of data to fly an
adventure (Flight Simulator Adventures 2.00). Thanks to the kind
people at Microsoft, they included this feature in their new
brainchild so you can save MODES (Adventures) on-the-fly. (Pun
intended)

Some of us have more time to "play" and can now share our "set-ups"
with all of those who can only manage 10 to 20 hours a week at the
controls. (Be honest now!) The tedious job of entering all of the
data to set up an adventure is history. And, with this little doo-
dad you will know a lot about the adventure before you fly it.

Don't take the FUN outta it!
Heck, the fun is in the doin'.

If you want to keep a complete set of MODES and ADVENTURES as IFR
lessons into every possible ILS airport provided and set up
different possible weather conditions for each, you can begin
flying for a purpose.
When you share MODES with friends, you can tell them about the
adventure so they will be prepared with some idea of what to
expect. For example, general data includes...

North Position
East Position
Altitude                  (Aloft ???   )
ILS Frequency             (If available)
ILS Runway
Beacon Frequency          (If available)
Transponder               MS may activate this...
ATIS Frequency            (If available)
Clouds, Tops/Bott
VOR #1 - Freq
VOR #2 - Freq
Hour                      (Time Changes)
Joystick(s)               (Installed YN)
Mouse                     (Installed YN)
Scenery Disk Needed       (Disk # & DES)

And, a full page screen editor for clever little descriptions,
educational information, flight data and conditions, weather
reports, special memos for lessons, etc.

                     Educational and FUN!

Maybe, if I mention some of the ways I use FSADV it will be
helpful.

                         IFR Lessons

I have already began preparing my own set of lessons for using
avionics in navigation. I rarely see the great graphics because of
cloud layers below me and thunderstorms all around me. I have about
40 different adventures that set me up in situations that make
navigation (without avionics) very difficult. Winds aloft and on
the ground don't want me to get there from here. Radios fail at
horrible times. In other words, you don't sleep through these
flights.
I keep my flight log and point to the adventure name and track my
flight time for that specific adventure. If I have problems I will
note it in my adventure file and print it. When I get the time,
back to the grindstone and practice, practice, practice. I don't
keep fair-weather adventures anymore. Boring! If I'm going to the
trouble of floundering through the FS menus to set up a MODE, it's
gonna be useful, fun and exciting. As realistic as possible.

                         STUNT Flying

Of course, flying under bridges and landing on a carrier sure is
relaxing. And, for sight seeing I like to use the Lear. Makes for
nice coastal flights trimmed up on autopilot at 1600 feet.
Better watch out for Doug Van Derbur's ADVENTURES. He can really
handle the stunts and I'll just bet that some of his goodies in
MODPAK#2 will have you upside down, having fun. One of his
favorites is dive-bombing the Golden Gate from 3000 feet and
dropping full flaps to clear the 90' span in a power hungry climb
that wrings me out just watching. He even drops in on the Bird Man
of Alcatraz landing on the tiny island and, taking off successfully
only to fly upside down 90' off the water and under the Golden
Gate. Doug "Sky King" Van Derbur. We're just waiting for your
adventures...

                     TRAINING Beginners

I would like to see a complete set of private pilot flying lessons
that a beginner could enjoy. From taxiing to cross country flights
with tracking aircraft to show attitude positions in stalls,
flairs, etc. The teaching possibilities are the most promising.
This program, FLIGHT SIMULATOR, transcends being a video game if
all of the features are used. It is a marvelous program that, in
my opinion, should win the "Lifetime Achievement" award for
perfection. And, I think the new Microsoft Flight Simulator III is
a tremendous step forward for this popular program. Yeah, I gripe
about the complexity of learning the menus, so now I catalog my
adventures (MODES) so I don't have to fool with it again.

                  NEW FLIGHT Descriptions

A full-screen, wrap-around, text editor is included to create
complete and expanded information and description file to a
maximum of 18 lines each (if your long winded). Or, if you are
including a corresponding ground school for the preparation to
flight, there is ample room for a complete set-up. (Hint)
You can set up all sorts of pre-flight logs and data sheets,
save them (once) and fill in the blanks for each adventure
(or, lesson). Then you can print out your logs by the page as
needed for the flight.

For example, you can design your own Flight Plan Form and Weather
Briefing Report Form. You can save this form and just fill it out
for each scenario as you go. Then, when you come back to fly the
MODE, you will have your pre-flight ready and waiting.

"Thunderstorms - IFR - 1600 - rain 45000-8500 - shear 80-170 Wind
270 at 14 gusting to 34 - Storms Moving East at 11 - Vectored to
5000 -..., etc."

Then you can list your VOR's, checkpoints, times, headings, etc.,
print it, and then write your "actuals" next to your estimates.

                      PRE-FSADV 3.5A FILES

=================================================================
              NOTE: Pre 3.5a files !!!!!  CAUTION !!!!

The new version DOES CONFLICT with THE OLD FILES from pre-3.5a
versions.
=================================================================

                             SETUP


EDIT PARAMETERS

If the file PARM.OVL is missing, FSPRO will create a new one. You
MUST run FSPRO and edit this file to match your system. You can
change paths to your Flight Sim MODE files, ADVENTURE files,
Airport Directory, etc. You can change the colors you want to use,
add your name for prompts (and, future printing use) and phone
number. Select this item from the MAIN MENU the first time you
run FSPRO. You can edit or change data anytime. Some color
selections will cause "blinking"...if you like it, it's all yours.
Play with the selections until you get something pleasing. I like
hi-white on blue on my VGA which is a FORECOLOR = 15 and BACKCOLOR
= 1...

We provide a few very simple MODES, ADVENTURES and DESCRIPTIONS in
the file ADVMODE.ARC or MODPACK(n).ARC. The MODE files should be
put in with all of your other MODE files with FS3. You can create
a new directory for MODPAK data files and store FSADV and the
adventure files in that directory.

       ===================== NEW WITH 5.0 =====================

Be sure to set your path to the AIRPORT DIRECTORY FILES very
first thing. Be sure to set your path in EDIT PARAMETERS
using FSPRO.EXE.

Once your PATHS are properly identified, then you're ready for a
run-through.

You can operate The FSPRO ADVENTURE MODULE in 2 general ways.
First, you may go fly a scenerio and save the MODE from FS3. After
you save the MODE you can run FSADV and search for the new MODE.
When it finds it, you will be asked if you want to create a new
adventure file. If yes, you can then EDIT the ENVIRONS (Data
information such as position, avionics, etc.) and a full page
description (narrative) of the flight MODE/ADVENTURE. Second, you
may create an ADVENTURE from your sectional information, and then
go set up the MODE and fly it. Of, course, if you want to keep the
MODE, you can save it in FS3.

You may PRINT, RENAME and/or DELETE any ADVENTURE or MODE. When you
RENAME an adventure, the MODE is also renamed along with other
associated pointer files.
If you DELETE an adventure, the MODE remains intact. Only, the
adventure files are deleted. (Working on a "tagging" function for
DELETE routine.)

When you elect to PRINT an adventure from the "ring" menu, it will
also show you the DESCRIPTION FILE before printing. If you don't
want to change anything, just press ESCape and it will print the
entire adventure (LPT1).

WARNING:
When you elect to DELETE, you don't get a second chance. Be sure!

The INFORMATION windows tell you how to get "noiseless" versions
of FSPRO by registering. This time around, I want to hear from
users. Since making money is not the issue, I put the NOISY version
out as public domain and request a $2.00 contribution which is
cheap enough to attract those who DO NOT (yet) support ShareWare
type programming and just enough to attract serious users and not
weekend plane drivers or SUCKFILE BBS users. The TWO buck deal does
offer access to the Flight Simulator Conference on LINX where a lot
of goodies can be found.

We will support your airport data files with "real" and current
airport information for your files. You can have several different
AIRPORT DIRECTORIES and then access them using the PARAMETER EDIT
routine to change paths.

All versions of FSPRO below 5.0 are considered BETA and I only post
it for those who want to preview the development. I can't guarantee
that things won't change drastically in future updates. For
example, I am thinking about INDEXED ADVENTURE files where you can
search on pertinant data. I also want to solve the problem of
creating MODES out of the FS environment (which is NICE, but,
slow).

Beta programs usually have boo-boos. Will try to watch it
carefully, but, they may creep up. Please let me know asap so I can
fix 'em. There's a program somewhere in all of this. For all my
flying buddies...I'm open for suggestions.

I hope that you will take the time to send me a postcard if you are
using FSPRO. The first version (1986) has been reported to be in
36 foreign countries, all 50 states and U.S. Protectorates. Through
the bulletin board I have heard from about 650 people who have used
FSADV200. I never dreamed that anyone would ever use it except Doug
and me.

For those of you who hate noisy logo's and buzzing machines as much
as I do, then you can send me $2.00 and when you log-on to LINX you
will have access to the "goodie" drawer where you can get the
latest versions of "silent" and "secret" stuff. The best of the
MODEPAKS will also be kept in the conference.

Incidently, LINX (Lincoln Institute Network eXperiment) has been
on-line since January 1, 1983. Each user gets 100 minutes on-line
every day, FREE and without any upload obligation. We have over
6,566 users from 9 foreign countries and all of the United States.
We maintain the most current and useful public domain software
available. No games...except for those who would stoop low enough
to refer to our Flight Simulator Add-Ons as  "games"....Are you
listening Betty?



           ========= NEW VERSION 5.0 ==========

With this series, FSPRO becomes your MAIN MENU to access
other modules, such as the AIRPORT DIRECTORY included with
this archive. Even though all of our modules will be "stand
alone" and operate somewhat independently, keep in mind
that we will be adding 4 or 5 new modules to this series and
ultimately we will operate all of the modules from a single
MAIN MENU system. First things first. I wanted to get enough
feedback from FSPRO 5.0 and the response to the software
profile before going much further with the series. Now, the
next logical step is to develop our data base structure so
that all future modules can access a common filing system.

SEARCH ROUTINES:

The search options include:
        AIRPORT NAME (or as much as you spell correctly)
        VOR NAME OR IDENTIFIER (ditto)
        STATE OR COUNTRY (only 2 letters)

FIELDS:

We have tried to include as many fields as practical
for our airport directory. The 20 individual fields provide
enough information about an airport that we will need for
our series. We have provided you with all of our FSADV
airports that were ever listed in our previous series. This
time, however, they are not sectionalized by scenery disk.
There is a NOTES field in the AIRPORT DIRECTORY that you can
use for mentioning scenery disks, etc. Much of the
information included in the directory is not useful for
Flight Simulator flying. For example, Phone numbers. We
wanted to use this same data base structure for our PILOT
MASTER flight planning and our FS PILOT programs so we opted
to do it all in one whack!

Updates are already in the works. Will correct bugs and boo-boo's
as I hear of them. Last update was 10-24-88.

Hope you like the little doo-dads. Let me hear from you.


Joe Lincoln
LINX BBS
[phone]
300-2400 8N1 24 Hrs


P.S. Thanks Wayne Hammerly & Tom Hanlin. FSADV is written in
MicroSoft QB 4.0 and includes the ProBas library from Hammerly
Computer Services,Inc. , Laurel, Maryland 20707.

Flight Simulator is a trademark of SubLOGIC Corporation used under
license by Microsoft Corporation. (Right off the Flight Sim Box)

                        FS-PRO (Series 5.0)
         Copyright 1988 - Joe Lincoln - All Rights Reserved
              15307 Parkville - Houston, Texas - 77068