[BobB]

I read the thread about X-Plane.org's squawkbox server (instead of VATSIM or IVAO).

From what I gathered the X-Plane.org server for squawkbox is still operational.

I also gleaned that I needed to email Markr to get an account on the server.

I sent an email by opening Markr's profile and then using the cgi script to send him an email.

Anyone know if the method of emailing him I used will get to him? Is the squawkbox thing still running on X-Plane.org?

I tried VATSIM but felt like complete problem there. I don't know what the heck to do and I hear that, to maintain reality, that VATSIM tries to rely on realistic communications and flight plans and such. I saw a freq on servinfo for the VATSIM server I was on so I tuned in to it. Trying to be a good guest I taxied into the grass of O'Hare before connecting so I wouldn't freak out anyone on final. Naturally, trying to be the good guest I requested a pattern route for training on the frequency I had written down. Then I realized that I was talking to ARTCC and kind of just gracefully disconnected myself realizing that I didn't belong there with no knowledge.

X-Plane.org sounds like a much better (laid back) area for doing what I want to do (just fly around with other people without TOO much regard for protocol). I'm not kamikaze or anything I'm just real impressed with X-Plane and then I hear that I can fly with people over the internet and it sounds really neat. So I want to try it.

[Viper]

He will get the message and issue your login info A.S.A.P.
and welcome aboard.

[BobB]

Thanks for the reply. And thanks for the welome!

My real concern here (I think I have an anxiety/perfection disorder) is that I will be making the internet flying unpleasant or otherwise degrade the experience for other people.

Seems like most folks on here are actually pilots and/or have substantial aviation/aeronatical knowledge.

So is it okay if I fly around with other people on X-Plane.org's SB server? I'm not real great at navigation. I've read the book Aeronatical Information for Pilots or whatever it is. I can absorb the aeronautical info but I can't remember any of the airspace/communication stuff from the ASA PP test prep book.

Just as an example of how crappy I am at pilotage...I have a Charlotte sectional. So I locate my C172 at Southern Comforts Aerodrome (a/k/a: The Skydiving Place where I've skydived at) and plot a course for PK Airpark near Raeford (Raeford Dropzone where  I learned to skydive). I landed at two incorrect airstrips before I finally landed at Raeford. lol.

All those neat instruments and how to use them look neat in the information manual (HSI, RNAV, etc). But when I'm trying to fly a plane and think about where I am and where I'm going while my position is constantly changing the last thing I can think about is what radial I'm on for which VOR. Heck..changing COM frequencies takes me a minute or two.

Sorry I talk too much. Just wondering if I'll be a disservice to the X-Plane.org SB server if I join. I'm also wondering that if anyone from the FAA or NTSB saw my VATSIM performance if they'll send me a letter warning me never to ever apply for any kind of job related to airplanes.

[brett s]

Don't worry about it - just have fun

The people that are crazy about being dead-serious are on the other networks for the most part. The .org server is very casual, and quite frankly usually deserted anyways.

[Viper]

I'm also wondering that if anyone from the FAA or NTSB saw my VATSIM performance if they'll send me a letter warning me never to ever apply for any kind of job related to airplanes.

:laugh:

[musicpete]

Hi there!

Do you mind if I intrude this thread and don't start my own one?

I would really like to be pointed to a step-by-step tutorial which explains how to get XP7.41 to work with XSquawkbox. I've read through many threads on this BB but still encounter those problems:

1) Whenever I click on "Markr"'s username I get a page saying that this user is not in the database. So contacting him for a login is impossible. Who shall I contact instead?

2) Which version of XSquawkbox do I need for flying on the xplane.org server? The VATSIM or the IVAIO build?

3) I just downloaded XSB (VATSIM build) and will try installing it. Are there any special settings I have to set up before it will work (besides the need for a valid login): Server-IP? Port? Firewall Settings? Router Settings? ...

4) May I kindly suggest that the 1st posting in the "Xsquawkbox and x-plane.org" thread is edited to include all neccessary information for clueless people like me? That way you could avoid me and the others asking the same question 2 times a week.

Sorry for bein clueless but I couldn't find the anwers on the XSB homepage or in the thread on this board.

[Iron Wolf]

musicpete, first of all, Marks email address is on the front page of the .org site under "webmaster". Make sure you manually change the to @. Give him a name to register in your email and give hims some time to process it.

Secondly, download the latest IVAO version of XSB from the XSB site --> Here <--

Make sure you get the right version for your opperating system, ie. windows/mac. ::

When you unzip that folder, there will be two folders. One is documents, and the other is the actual plugin files. Read the html file in the documents first to get the jist of it all. Then open the plugin folder and copy the file and the subfolder there into the Resources/Plugins folder inside the x-plane directory.

When you start x-plane, open the menu for plugins and go to the xsquawkbox one and choose connect. This box will be where you enter your details that Mark sent you. Enter a desired callsign, (anything you want) enter your player id (PID in your email), enter the name you used to register in your email you sent to Mark, enter the server IP address (in the email) and your password (PWD in email)

Now as for realism, the .org is simply for a blast, however some people do like to do serious stuff there too. By all means make contact with people on 121.00 freq and ask their intentions. If they want to be given a wide berth, then respect that. Other than that, there will always be people like myself that will challange you to a jet fighter race to Edwards and a resulting dogfight over the range if thats what you want.

And welcome to the .org server.

[musicpete]

Thank you very much for reacting so quickly and giving me so much information. I will do as you said and hope that soon I will be flying online with the nice people on this forum.

musicpete

p.s.: Would it be possible to include all the info you gave me in the first post of the main XSB-thread? So newbies will have all information in one place plus a great step-by-step tutorial? You know, there's not even a hint of info wether the VATSIM of IVAO version is needed.

[Iron Wolf]

Yeah, it was mentioned but it's burried deep in the middle of the thread. Maybe I can write a quick tutorial and ask mark to link it there in the first post. My computer is in the shop and I am on my dads. When I get it back I will knock something up. ::

[musicpete]

Hello there! How long does it usually take to get a reply from Markr? I wrote him an email on 25th of June but obviously he still hasn't got around to answer it. In other threads he stated that he is moving to a new place right now, so I don't want to bug him...

On the other hand I am curious: How many weeks does it normally take until you got a reply to requesting a pilot ID for flying online?