Return To TradeIP.Com  |  FAQs and Tutorials Page Help File: FS98 and FS Multiplayer Tips & Shortcuts Getting more out of FS98 and Multiplayer Speeding it Up Reboot your computer -- As you might guess, running FS98 with no other programs open keeps the maximum amount of resources available to your system. You should also remember that if your computer has been on for awhile, it's quite possible your machine is running with less than the maximum amount of resources, as some applications use up system resources and don't give them all back when you close the program. If you are running a really fast, powerful machine it may not matter much, but if you are looking for a painless way to squeeze out a bit more performance, this could be one. You can always use the Resource Meter, found in the Start menu under Programs > Accessories > System Tools, to see how much resources you have at any given time. You can also: - Shut down any programs such as screen savers, virus scanners, etc that might be running in the background on your system. After rebooting your computer, Hit ctl-alt-delete as if you were going to reboot your system, highlight the program or application from the Close Program list, and click End Task. Try leaving only Rundll, Explorer and Systray running. FS98 settings -- It may seem obvious, but if you find that Multiplayer slows down your computer, you may have to play with the FS98 settings to try and reclaim some speed. Try turning off aircraft shadows to start. Turning down the scenery complexity may also help. In the Multiplayer settings you can also deselect "Send / Receive Detailed Aircraft Model." This will make your plane look funny when taxiing though, as the landing gear will not show up, and if you are in an ATC session, the Tower controller may ask you to check that your gear is down. Bringing down the Scenery Complexity is also a good way to speed up FS98. Shortcuts, etc -- Here are a few tips and keyboard shortcuts for you: Switch to map view -- A quick way to switch to the FS98 map view is to hit ctl-S. If the instrument panel is in the way, just hit the W key to toggle it on or off. I haven't seen this keyboard shortcut elsewhere, so I duplicated it below... Open / close the Chat Window -- When in FS98 Multiplayer, you can quickly open and close the Chat Window (to see how many people are in the session, for example) by hitting ctl-enter on the keyboard. Just be careful you don't hit alt-enter, as this will switch between 3D mode and windowed mode... Keep the top menu visible -- When in 3D mode, FS98 covers up the Windows 95 taskbar at the bottom of the screen, so you have to use alt-tab to cycle over to another application such as your Web browser, or a communications program such as Roger Wilco. This alt-tab function is the standard keyboard shortcut for switching between Windows programs. The alt key (press and release) is also used to activate the standard Windows menu without using the mouse, so if the FS98 main menu (the standard top of screen menu) is set to be hidden, you may find that trying to use alt-tab will activate the menu without taking you to your other application. It shouldn't happen, but you may find it does. Right-click on the instrument panel and make sure Hide Menu Bar is unchecked. This will show the FS98 top of screen menu at all times. If you find switching between programs becomes easier for you with the menu displayed, try keeping it that way. Views and Windows   Click for larger view Can't see over the panel? -- First, make sure that your main viewing window isn't taking up the whole screen. Click and drag the panel off to the side and look at the window underneath. The bottom of that window shouldn't extend all the way down to the bottom of your screen. If it does, it will be very hard to see over the instrument panel. Click on the bottom of the window to resize it so the bottom of the window comes to the top of your panel. If you still can't see the runway over the panel and you are trying to land, make sure you are flying at a reasonable approach speed for the type of plane you are flying, i.e. not too slow, and you are not trying to land with full fuel. Both of these conditions will require a greater angle of attack than usual just to keep the plane in the air, making it harder to see over the nose. If you don't know the approach speed of your aircraft, then check the stall speed in landing configuration and multiply it by 1.3 as a ballpark number. Fly at the proper approach speed, at a reasonable landing weight. If you still can't see over the panel, try a different one... Switch to map view -- A quick way to switch to the FS98 map view is to hit ctl-S. If the instrument panel is in the way, just hit the W key to toggle it on or off. Miscellaneous Tips Use a panel and sound manager -- Managing your aircraft and assigning panels and sounds to them can be a big headache without a panel manager. A popular one is called Jab98, available at www.flightsim.com. With this freeware package, it is possible to install sounds or panels to their own separate folders so they can be shared among more than one aircraft. It is also possible to group aircraft into "hangars" which can be turned on or off, which speeds up aircraft loading if you have many planes installed. Assigning a panel or sound to an aircraft can be done with a single mouse click. Use Paint Shop Pro for screen shots -- Paint Shop Pro is a shareware graphics program that assigns a hot key for screen captures, so screen shots of FS98 aircraft or scenery can be done with a single keystroke if you have PSP running. It works very well under all conditions and makes attractive screenshots very easy. The latest version of PSP is available at www.jasc.com. Earlier 32-bit versions, PSP 5 and PSP 4.14, are no longer available at the Jasc website, but can be found on sites that offer shareware programs. Go here for a tutorial on doing good-looking screen captures using PSP, with links to download sites for PSP 4.14, the smallest 32-bit version. Blue Skies in FS98 -- The default purplish sky for FS98 is not very attractive. A small shareware utility called Blue Sky for FS98 (available at www.flightsim.com) will change the sky to a very nice, rich blue, making day VFR flights much more pleasant. Aircraft and scenery are unchanged, the sky just looks more realistic after installing this small file. Top of this page