To: devnull@onion.rain.com (Falcon3 Mailing list) From: devnull@onion.rain.com (Falcon3 Mailing list) Reply-To: devnull@onion.rain.com (Falcon3 Mailing list) Sender: devnull@onion.rain.com (Falcon3 Mailing list) Errors-To: postmaster@onion.rain.com Return-Path: devnull@onion.rain.com (Falcon3 Mailing list) Precedence: bulk Bcc: falcon3-outgoing Subject: Falcon3 Digest V4 : I93 Falcon3 Digest Volume 4 : Issue 93 Tue Oct 26 17:00:48 PDT 1993 Compilation copyright (C) 1993 Jeff Beadles Send submissions to "falcon3@onion.rain.com" Send add/drop requests to "majordomo@onion.rain.com" Archives are available via ftp from onion.rain.com [147.28.0.161] and mirrored on cactus.org in /pub/falcon3 Today's Topics: MPS vs. SpecHolo Charles Fornaciari Patch for Falcon3/MIG-29 (3.02.1/1. jeff@neon.rain.com ------------------------------------------------------------ From: Charles Fornaciari Subject: MPS vs. SpecHolo Michael Coyne writes: "If SH wants to cooperate with Microprose, then why not do it cooperatively!? How about developing some flight models that work together? I do not buy Microprose flight sims, but I would if they would go H2H with SH sims. Isn't it this direct competition which drives firms to produce new and innovative products? I think it is. Also, IMHO, the only way cooperation between SH and MPS will provide better products in the long run is if both parties can make each other more competitive. While cooperation may prove beneficial, whether or not it benefits the consumer depends on the type of cooperation." Be careful of what you ask for, for you will surely get it! Spectrum Holobyte and Microprose have agreed to the ultimate in cooperation-- SpecHolo is in the process of buying MPS. This goes a very long way to explaining the "gentleman's agreement" between the two companies---no sense in two companies that are in the process of becoming one to waste time and resources making competing products. Imagine, within a year or two, the new SpecHolo will have F-14, F-15, F-16, FSX, F-117, MiG-29, F/A-18 A-10, and who knows how many other modern combat sims on the market. This is definitely going to be *the* modern air combat company. BTW, Mike, I hope you're right about the cooperation being beneficial-- this merger's got a ton of potential if its done right (I hate to imagine what it's gonna look like if it's done wrong!). Charles ------------------------------- From: stenger@zeus.uni-duisburg.de (Joerg Stenger) Subject: SH & MicroProse (or: who is who?) Hi all, Regarding the dicussion about the "Gentlemens agreement" between MP and SH I like to add a note. Please note that I haven't and am not able to proove the following. My dealer, a guy who knows what he speakes of usually, said that MicrpoProse had buyed Spectrum Holobyte! Again I have to point out that this might be pure nonsense but it would be a possible explanation for some things. Joerg "Dancer" Stenger ------------------------------- From: MORGAN@WVUGEO.WVNET.EDU Subject: Re: SH & MPS Joerg writes: >Hi all, >Regarding the dicussion about the "Gentlemens agreement" between MP and SH I > like to add a note. Please note that I haven't and am not able to proove >the following. My dealer, a guy who knows what he speakes of usually, said >that MicrpoProse had buyed Spectrum Holobyte! Again I have to point out >that this might be pure nonsense but it would be a possible >explanation for some things. >Joerg "Dancer" Stenger Well since I don't really know buiseness and how these agreements shake out in the maket/industry, I am probably assuming alot. But according to the press release and that which I have read in the gaming Mags., I would say it was SH who really gained the upper hand in the Merger (?). MPS has really taken it hard in the gaming market. Income has fell and they have had to lay off staff. To help them regroup, SH gave them 10 million for x amount of shares and so many seats on MPS's board. In addition, the Pres. (COB?) has agreed to step down with another to be selected by SH (with approval by MPS??) That is from memory, if anyone has the original release, it might be interesting to see again. Please correct my errors! :-) At any rate, when one company gives the other 10 mill and gets what SH got, I would be hard pressed to say MPS "bought" SH. And vice versa now that I consider it. It seems more of a mutual captial raising deal. On another note..Has anyone seen who is Publishing AV8B Assault SVGA in the States?? Yep! SH! It seems SH is out to corner the Hi tech flight sim market in the states at least as far as distribution goes. With their name plastered everywhere (authors or not), it can quickly become almost an icon with hi tech flight sims. Who is really competing against them in the states? MPS?? Not so much anymore, Origin? Well, they hi-tech, but sorta a different animal (role playing sim?), Micro Soft? Well, I don't think anyone will try to break into the "Flight Sim X" market with their following and user base. I don't know what SH's cut is in Digital Integration's or Dormark's pie, but SH is definitely positioning themselves to become the market leader in the State side publishing of hi tech flight sims. Is this good?? >insert opinion here< On another note, so every one knows (or is reminded :-) Gary Stottlemeyer (sp?) said that SH had no hand in F14 Fleet Defender. Steve Blankenship said there are no plans to work together on a sim right now. Maybe "a little cooperation in the future" (to paraphrase). It seems the companies plan to maintain some autonomy for the near future, but not directly compete via "gentlemens agreement". All I can say is the Dept. of Defense had better start rolling out some new planes fast! We are soon gonna be out of planes to model! :-) Scott in WV Morgan@wvugeo.wvnet.edu ------------------------------- From: slb512@trainserv.fastc.wpafb.af.mil (stuart butts/taai/75033) Subject: Very many functions indeed... > From: J.Hoppenbrouwers@kub.nl (JeroenHoppenbrouwers) > Subject: Very many functions indeed... > Wow! So an F16 pilot shouldn't only be physically fit and have eyes like > a Falcon, he should be able to play the piano like Mozart himself as well! The F-16 community refers to it as "playing the piccolo." :) > Are all these functions "copies" of console switches or are they only > implemented on the stick? Some are and some aren't . For example, the air refuel disconnect is only on the stick, while chaff/flare are on the stick as well as next to the throttle. > Is there any way to find out what the exact position of a function switch is > without bluntly trying? The basic flight manual and the avionics flight manual tell you what each switch does for each mode. > Are there look-up diagrams available somewhere in the cockpit? Nope, you have to remember it all :). > Furthermore, I can vividly imagine an F16 pilot on overload pulling the wrong > muscle and activating the wrong function (har har... drag chute instead of > flare :-) US F-16`s don't have drag chutes (I believe yours do), but the point is well taken. Especially after an avionics software change, it takes awhile to figure out where everything is, cause something usually gets moved . > Or is it that the switches are there to be used at will, using some kind of > programming facility so that each F16 pilot can place console switches > on his stick the way he likes it? Seems a bit dangerous. The exact function of each switch cannot be programmed, but how it executes that function can be to some extent for certain switches. For example, the number and time interval between chaff/flare release, how specific radar modes are attained and which MFD they come up on, etc. - Stuart ------------------------------- From: davidr@wv.MENTORG.COM (David Ransier) Subject: RE: F/A-18 > From: mcoyne@acs.bu.edu (Michael Coyne) > Subject: F/A-18 > > isn't it this direct competition which drives firms to produce new and > innovative products? I think it is. Also, IMHO, the only way cooperation > between SH and MPS will provide better products in the long run is if both > parties can make each other more competitive. While cooperation may prove Spectrum Holobyte and Microprose merged very recently and are now the same company. I'm sure it will be many months, possibly years, before product lines merge, but one thing is certain, a company shouldn't compete with it's self. That's a very good way to go out of business. - -- +++++++++++++ David Ransier davidr@pdx.mentorg.com These comments are my own. I paid for Office: (503) 685-1528 them. I own them. They're not my Fax: (503) 685-7704 employers, and you can't have them. +++++++++++++ ------------------------------- From: slb512@trainserv.fastc.wpafb.af.mil (stuart butts/taai/75033) Subject: F-16 Block 40/42/50/52 Stick > From: malloy@nprdc.navy.mil (Sean Malloy) > Subject: Re: Sticks These are the names of these switches and what they do in the F-16: > There's the coolie hat, This is the trim switch. Not much use for it in the F-16, since with no stick in puts the aircraft will seek 1 g flight no matter what the attitude. Roll trim is useful for asymmetric store loadings. > a 'castle'(four raised prongs spaced evenly around the head), This is the display management switch (DMS). As the name implies, the DMS basically controls what is on the MFDs and how it looks. Specific functions are determined by master mode (air-to-air, air-to-ground, or navigation), radar mode, and any additional sensors available, ie LANTIRN pods for block 40 F-16s, Mavericks, etc. This switch is directly below the trim switch. > and a fourth design I don't recall at the moment. This switch is thin, long, vertically-mounted with horizontal ribs across it. It is the target management switch (TMS). Again as the name implies, the TMS basically controls target management. It also has several radar functions. Again, exactly what it does depends on the mode you're in. This switch is located directly below the weapon release button (which is directly to the left of the trim button) and directly left of the DMS. > a 'canyon' (sides slanting down to a bulged surface, forming a wide groove > across the head), This is the countermeasures management switch (CMS). Once again, as the name implies this switch controls countermeasures functions. This switch is located on the left side of the neck of the control stick, below the other switches. If you've got a TM FCS, it's about where that middle button is, it falls under your thumb. There is also a trigger, a field of view button at the bottom of the stick (falls under your pinky) used to change the field of view for differenct sensors, and a button on the right side of the top of the stick forward of the trim switch which controls nose wheel steering, air refuel disconnect, and missile stepping. - Stuart ------------------------------- From: shanev@aol.com Subject: F4 requirements Beau Mersereau asks":I would like to hear what you think the minimum system requirements for Falcon 4.0 are going to be? " Better make sure your new system has a cd-rom drive. I've heard from SH that it will be on cd only. Digital Integration is also looking at releasing their next sim on cd, so if you've been looking for an incentive to pick up a cd-rom drive, there it is. Regards, ShaneV ------------------------------- From: Kris Ong Subject: 3.02.1 1.01 The new patch just came out this week, and will be available in the ftp sites soon, I haven't had much time to test it, or even install it so I don't know what to expect. [ It is now on onion.rain.com in /pub/falcon3/programs/mig101.exe The readme is in a following message. --Jeff ] Kris. - -- krismon@quack.kfu.com An eye for an eye will make the whole world blind. Prodigy: GRTV13B -MLK Jr. ------------------------------- From: jeff@neon.rain.com Subject: Patch for Falcon3/MIG-29 (3.02.1/1.01) available The readme is attached. I've installed it, but not flown it yet. More details later. Again, it's available on onion.rain.com in /pub/falcon3/programs/mig101.exe Later, -Jeff - -- Jeff Beadles jeff@neon.rain.com ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- ******************************************************* * MiG-29: Deadly Adversary of Falcon 3.0 * * Version 1.01 patch * * 10/22/93 * * includes Falcon 3.02 to version 3.02.1 patch * * and Acer BIOS compatibility utility * ******************************************************* ####################################################### WARNING: If you have the stand-alone version of MiG-29 (the one that does not require Falcon 3.0) DO NOT use this patch! You will damage your copy of MiG-29 and will have to re-install! ####################################################### Applying the patch ------------------- This patch will update MiG-29 version 1.0 to version 1.01 and will update Falcon 3.02 to Falcon 3.02.1. Only use this patch for MiG-29 1.0 or Falcon 3.02. If you have an earlier version of Falcon, you need to first update it to 3.02 before using this patch. The patch consists of three files (not counting this readme file). They are: PATCH.BAT PATCH.RTP GOPATCH.EXE Be sure all three of these files are copied into your FALCON3 directory before going on with the patch. Switch to the FALCON3 directory (if you're not there already), then type "PATCH" at the DOS prompt. Falcon 3.02 Only (without MiG-29) ---------------------------------- If you only have Falcon 3.02 (and not MiG-29), you should type "GOPATCH". You will see a number of messages indicating that various files are being updated. After a few minutes, the patch should be complete. If you only have Falcon 3.02 (without MiG-29 1.0), the GOPATCH program will abort when it can't find MiG-29 1.0, but the correct Falcon 3.02 files will have been updated. Verifying the patch -------------------- If you were updating MiG-29 1.0 and Falcon 3.02 together, you should see the following screen: --------------------------------------------------- - Results of Application of Patch File - --------------------------------------------------- File Patches Applied..........................( 5) Files Modified.........................( 2) Files Renamed..........................( 0) Files Added............................( 3) Files Deleted..........................( 0) File Patches Skipped: New Files Up-To-Date....( 0) File Patches Ignored: Old Files Missing.......( 0) Old Files Invalid.......( 0) --------------------------------------------------- Total File Patches Processed..................( 5) --------------------------------------------------- You can verify the patch by typing "CHECKVER" at the DOS prompt. In addition to some memory and system information, you should see the following lines: Program Version Date Time Size FALCON3.EXE V3.02.1 10-14-93 5:29pm 1366611 MIG29.EXE V1.01 10-14-93 3:59pm 1366551 The version number is also shown in the game on the bottom of the title screen. If the version number for MiG-29 reads "1.01," the patch was successful. The version number for Falcon 3.0 should read "3.02.1" after a successful patch. Program fixes -------------- This patch fixes the following problems: - Ground units in Red Flag will no longer fire upon your MiG-29 near Nellis. - The flight model has been improved, which is most noticeable in nose stability, trim control, and stability at high airspeeds. - In Red Flag, enemy F-16s can now be assigned weapons loads. - Owners of Acer computers, Acros computers or other computers with Acer motherboards using BIOS version version 1.2 could not play MiG-29 or Falcon 3.02. When either game was run, it would simply freeze with a blank screen. The solution is to use a small TSR (terminate-and- stay-resident) program called ACER.COM which we created to deal with this incompatibility problem. Running this patch will automatically copy ACER.COM into your FALCON3 directory. If you have an Acer with BIOS version 1.2, type "ACER" before you run MiG-29 or Falcon 3.02. This will load the ACER TSR into memory, where it will allow you to play Falcon 3.02 or MiG-29. When loaded, ACER.COM takes up 768 bytes (0.8K) of conventional memory. Since MiG-29 and Falcon 3.02 require 603K of conventional memory, you should try to load ACER.COM high. Consult the manual for your memory manager, your DOS manual or the MiG-29 Installation and Loading Card for tips on memory management. If you cannot load it high, be sure you have enough free conventional memory for both ACER.COM and MiG-29. When you are done playing, type "ACER U" to unload the TSR from memory. - Problems with joystick calibration are now fixed. - The coolie hat problem when switching between cockpit and scroll lock view has been fixed. - Some users reported difficulty with rolling right. This problem is now fixed. - Adjustments to the MiG-29 flight model have made maneuvering and control smoother. - Some users reported problems with pitching upward when in any outside view. The problem was that the plane would not go beyond 30 degrees upward pitch until the player switched back to an inside cockpit view. This problem has been corrected. - The airspeed scale on the HUD is now marked correctly. Previously, 1100 kts was marked as 1000 kts (so it went 950, 1000, 1050, 1000, 1150). - At extremely high airspeeds (in excess of 800 knots), the nose would rise no matter how the trim controls were used. The trim controls are now effective at all airspeeds. NOTE: If you have a video card with the Tseng ET4000/w32 chipset, you may experience problems with frequent white flashing in the simulation. You can download a specific fix for this video problem from our Customer Support BBS at (510)522-8909 or from GEnie,CompuServe or America Online. Finding Spectrum HoloByte Online --------------------------------- America Online: Press Ctrl-K for "Go to Keyword." Then type "SPECTRUM" in the Keyword window. You can also send e-mail to us at S HOLOBYTE. CompuServe: Type "GO GAMBPUB" at any ! prompt. Then select "Section 3" for Spectrum HoloByte. You can also send us e-mail at 76004,2144 GEnie: Type "M805;1" at any ? prompt. Then select "Category 18" for Spectrum HoloByte. You can also send us e-mail at HOLOBYTE. Internet: Send us e-mail at 76004.2144@compuserve.com. Prodigy: Check the "Flight Simulators" topic on the Game Club bulletin board (located in the Game Center area). You can also send us e-mail at TKNJ33A. ------------------------------- [[ End of digest Volume 4 : Issue 93 ]]