Linking Files

[dave483]

Hi, I enjoy playing MicroSorft FSX and play on the multiplayer setting. When generateing flight plans in FSX they are stored in Flight Simulator X Folder as a PLN file. What I am trying to do is link these flight plans to the FS-MP.com forum. It is my understanding that FS-MP will not accept any non-public entries. Knowing that, I have to use a program called "Photo Bucket" to up load my pictures. Photo Bucket assigns a jpg file extension to the photo and it is then ready to post on the forum.
I can also post on the FS-MP forum what is on my screen by hitting "Alt= Prt Scrn", using "Paint" to edit and "Paint" also assigns a jpg to the file and that is ready to post on the FS-MP forum. I guess my question is this...how do I get PLN files to the FS-MP forum. Or for that matter, this forum? Vista seems why too complicated to trying to move files around...
Thanks Dave

 

[johngalt]

Hi, [email protected], and welcome to the forums.

First, some advice - ***Never use your email address as your username(s) at forums***

Forums are publicly viewable, and Google, Yahoo and other search engines, as well as Malware authors, continually troll around for email address to add to their list to try to start spamming you.

I've already reported this to the admins and they should be contacting you shortly (I hope).

Anyway, to answer your question, Have you tried ZIPping the files up so you can attach them? Windows Vista has native ability to both extract and compress archives - meaning you can get files out of and put files into archives.

Now, before we go further, let me tell you that archive is a term that is used rather loosely here, so don't think if this as a treasure trove of ancient documents and artifacts only. Originally the purpose of archiving was just that - to archive material that you did not need ready access to, in a compressed format that allowed you to store more items in less space than you can when storing the same items in their original format. Hence, the term archive has held over, although a better description would probably be compressed container.

Now, on to how to do it.

To archive a file (without installing any 3rd party tools) do the following:

1. Select the file(s) that you want to archive in Windows explorer
2. Right click one of the file *while all are selected* and select Compressed (zipped) Folder

Now, in Windows Explorer you'll see a new file called {filename}.ZIP, where {Filename} is the name of the file that you right clicked on. The {filename} part will be highlighted, allowing you to rename the file.

Once you have done that, you simply follow the forum rules at FS-MP.com in order to upload your files.

HTH

 

[dave483]

First off, thanks for the log in info and notifying Admin. I have tried you suggestion to zip the PLN file, renamed it and then move it to another folder. I moved it from Document to Downloads. The PLN file zipped o.K. but was not retrievable with PhotoBucket when looking in the Download folder. The other contents of the Download Folfer were there??? Below is the message I get when attempting to move any PLN file...also, opening with WORDPAD doesn't seem to work either??? Got any more suggewtions after seeming the message? I hope so and THANKS for taking the time to respond:D DM

 

[johngalt]

Can you point me to the area where you are trying to upload your FP to? I went to the site but as I am not a pilot I don't know much about it....

I can also try my best friend, who *is* a pilot, and see if he knows - but that might take a couple of days to get back with you....

 

[dave483]

Flight Simulator X (10) has a program within itself that lets you produce a flight plan. That plan is saved in a file as a PLN file. The PLN file can be brought up at a later time when you what to fly it. Its brought up enternally within the game. BUT heres the rip...people are posting their flight plans in the forum and others are simply downloading the flght plans into their own Flt Sim flies and flying them...I can't seem to do that and I'll be damned if I can find out how there are doing it. I suspect they are in XP and I'm in Vista and therein lies the problem.

Now, to your question. FSMP has a forum, like this one, where you have to be registered in order to post and reply to posts. But, registration takes a bit more as you have to pass a short test and be reviewed by the Admin. propr to being allowed to join or fly within the community. FSMP is a separate server and is not GAMESPY. The members are professiopnal in their actions and we have little or no problems with unruly players. Not so in GAMESPY. So, perhaps you could try to post a file in this forum that you have somewhere..any file for that matter, and see if you can do it or what steps you have to take to post. Would they be the same as the ZIP suggestion you gave me? OR how do you post a WWW address on this site? Copy and paste? That won't work in FSMP. That's why we have to use a third party like PHOTOBUCKET or perhaps SHUTTERFLY which stores you photos.
Did I make it very clear what I'm attempting? I'm not the best at computer terms.
Thanks Again..or and I don't hink you pilot friend whoudlbe of much help unless he's a FLIGHT SIM pilot and most of us never leave the ground!

DM

 

[dave483]

Here's the process for me that works for me with some but not all files. I find a file or picture and if it will display on the computer screen I can hit Alt + Print Screen to capture it. From there I go to Windows Paint ( it can be any number of programs like Paint) and hit PASTE. The computer screen image is then displayed in Paint and I can either edit it or just go to SAVE AS. I save it with a name and tell PAINT where I want to sent it (which folder and where). PAINT automatically assigns a JPD extension to it or changes it to a JPG file or both I'm not really sure. From there, I go to PHOTOBUCKET, and upload the JPG file to an album within PHOTBUCKET. PHOTOBUCKET assigns each file or picture the following codes: 1. EMAIL & IM 2. DIRECT LINK 3. HTML
4. IMG.
FSMP requires the use of the IMG code. So once in the forum, I open PHOTBUCKET, Go to my albums, find the image or file I want and copy it to the forum. That's how the ADOBE warning or info, I should say, was posted in this forum. I am not able to do that with all files or folders. And, I can so nothing with the PLN fies?

DM

 

[johngalt]

Vista and XP has nothing to do with it - if they are posting FPs ask them how they are doing it.

Or are they posting *pictures* instead of the plns?

 

[dave483]

SWSucceed

This is a copy of what is posted...within it you will see a PLN file that contains the actual flight plan (directions to where we are going and by what means, navigation wise..GPS or VOR, etc...

ATC Tower

FS-Soloed

Joined: 09 Dec 2006
Posts: 976
Location: Surrey, England. Zulu + 1
Posted: Tue Jul 08, 2008 2:10 pm Post subject: 9th July - Conquest USA Leg #10 - 1930Z / 3.30PM EDT Conquest USA - Leg #10 Savannah Hilton Intl KSAV to Orlando International KMCO - VFR
9th July 1930Z / 2.30PM EST / 3.30PM EDT

Pilots: TBA


Todays trip takes us along the eastern coast from Savannah International to Orlando International at a sight-seeing respectable maximum of 4500ft. Passing over Brunswick, Jacksonville Beach, St Augustine, Ormond Beach, Daytona Beach on on to Titusville, home for the United States shuttle landing facility. Hopefully we will be able to catch the shuttle and gantry before turning away for Orlando International, our destination.


Flight Report
Flight Plan and Log
http://succeedsystems.co.uk/fsx/Leg10FlightPlan.PLN ***THIS IS WHAT I WOULD LIKE TO BE ABLE TO POST****************
To Follow ...

Weather 2000z
TBA


Configuration

Zero Fuel Weight = 6451lbs
Fuel load = 750lbs
Takeoff Weight = 7201lbs


Map

 

[johngalt]

Unless I am mistaken, it looks like this individual has access to put the PLN files on the server that hosts the website Succeed Systems - Internet Email and Website Hosting Services - so that is what you would have to do as well - find a place where you can host files and link to them in the forum post.

The PLN is not coming from FS-MP.com, but from Succeedsystems.

 

[dave483]

I see..said the blind man! I have asked within the FSMP forum for help with this but not too aggressively as one of the things we do is try to figure these issues out ourselves. So I think that you may have a point with regard to his access to add these flight plans. I will be more blunt and ask for help on the issure. THIS forum has certainly been helpful as well as yourself and I thank you for that. I assure you that I will have more questions about some other issues but for now I will get an answer to this one. So johngalt, thanks, and I'll let you know what I come up with - Dave

 

[johngalt]

Good luck - and enjoy the flying.

 

[dave483]

Hello johngalt

I thought I'd give you an update on what I found within the FSMP community. I was able to find another member who had the same questions regarding posting PLN file and modifying cfg files (all within the game of Flight Sim X).

He agreed with you that to post a PLN file (in-game generated flight plan) that you needed a server to post to and from. We tried MEGAUPLOAD and that seems to work although I've not spent too much time on it to perfect what I want to send. With MEGAUPLOAD I was able to upload a PLN flie, email it to myself and then copy and paste it into the FSMP forum. I need to figure out how to get the info from there to another members PLN file so he can download it. But that can wait for now. Shouldn't be too difficult as I try it on myself first.

As far as changing a CFG file within the Microsoft FSX files, I found out that Vista was not letting me make changes due to the security settings. I went to the file I wanted, selected PROPERTIES - SECURITY TAB - USERS - ALLOW and that allowed any changes/additions to be made. That little bit of advice/info has taken me weeks to find! By the way, I don't know if a cfg flie is common but it allows one to change or add paint schemes to the different airplanes we fly so as to be as real as a BAC, United Airlines, Air China or whatever airlines. It probably does even more.

So, that's the latest on my issue and I thought you'd be intersted in what I found.

Take Care - Dave