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Author
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Topic: Program to update the startup.ppf
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Raider
Pilot
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posted 09-05- 08:53 PM
   
I wrote a small program that will read the startup.ppf, check to see if the new lines already exist and if they do not, it will add them to the bottom of the file. I can add as many new lines as needed. This would work best for plane or weapon makers that might need to update the startup.ppf and don't want to supply a whole new startup file.All you have to do is double click the icon and it updates the file automatically. No user errors. The only problem is that to do this I have to edit the new lines in the raw program and then make it executable. There is no way for the plane maker to add the lines to the program themselves unless they have VB and can make it executable. I also have a version where you can cut and paste the lines in, but there is room for error (if you only cut half the line or something). I have a little test pack if you want to try it out, (it won't effect your
current startup.ppf) Just send me an email if you are interested. jamjr1@bellsouth.net IP: Logged |
Jeeves
JAG
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posted 09-06- 01:54 PM
I have no idea why others aren't jumping at this....this will help tremendously if we can get it for the Base Pack I would think....saves a lot of adding manually. Reading through your description it seems that it is more for modelers who have things to add for their planes? I am a little unclear-- but I get the gist of it to see that it is damn useful....did you talk to The Crew about this? ------------------
Brought to you by the campaign for a better Dauntless! Jeeves =FC= IP: Logged |
Raider
Pilot
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posted 09-06- 08:54 PM
Jeeves, my thinking is that the Crew will provide a new up-to-date startup.ppf But as new things need to be added to it - this may be the way to go.I hope someday we have an install program for plane makers that we only have to point to our SDOE directory and it will do the rest  IP: Logged |
Snickers
Pilot
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posted 09-07- 10:00 AM
Hey Raider...
Have them put the lines in a file (Newstuff.ini) and then use VB to read it in and write it to the right place... That way new lines can be added as needed..... 
You can set up keys for airfoils, aircracft or whatever...------------------
Snickers
=FC=
Thou shalt maintaineth altitude, lest the earth rise up and smite thee. IP: Logged |
nealg
Pilot
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posted 09-07- 11:37 AM
Raider - I just did a reinstall, so I could check this, if you like. As long as it doesn't take anything like - you know - yuck - WORK on my part, LOL!!
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nealg=FC= IP: Logged |
Raider
Pilot
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posted 09-07- 04:57 PM
Snickers, You are the man. That works great. I thought the NewStuff.ini (I'll change the name later) would be a mess with everyone adding new lines to it. But... Each plane builder would supply a NewStuff.ini (if new lines need to be added) with only thier lines to add to the startup.ppf Here is an example of what the NewStuff.ini file would look like that I would supply for my new plane "aircraft/airfoils/Bird.sm"
"aircraft/airfoils/Dog.sm" Then you make one for your new plane. The only line or lines in the NewStuff.ini you supply for your new plane would look like this. "aircraft/airfoils/Cat.sm" If someone adds a line that is already in the startup.ppf, it does not add it to the file. Nealg, I will send it to you for testing in just a little while. All you have to do is click an icon. That's it. No muss no fuss. [This message has been edited by Raider (edited 09-07-2001).] IP: Logged |
nealg
Pilot
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posted 09-08- 02:38 AM
Works like a charm! Excellent idea, makes updating the startup.ppf a snap. It quickly just appended all the lines I didn't have to what I had...no muss, no fuss, and from unzipping to updating took about 2 seconds. Nice work! I can't say I verified every line...have a fresh install, and I backed up my original so I could check it aginst the update....but I didn't locate one discrepancy. I like it.
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nealg=FC= IP: Logged |
Raider
Pilot
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posted 09-08- 08:30 AM
Thanks for the input guys.Now I went and done it... It was just a short step to make the file update the keyboard.inp too. It will append new commands to the bottom of the keyboard.inp file. I put the Update.exe, UpdateStartup.ini, UpdateKeyboard.ini and readme.txt in a neat little directory that you just drop in your main \Fighter Squadron directory. Plane makers that want to supply new lines to the startup or keyboard files only need to add the lines to their update files and have them unzip to the Update directory. Once a plane is unziped into the \Fighter Squadron directory all we have to do is run the Update.exe and we are ready to fly IP: Logged |
Jerry
Pilot
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posted 09-08- 11:31 AM
Does the program look for duplicate lines so we don't add lines we already have? Would having duplicate lines cause any problems? IP: Logged |
Raider
Pilot
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posted 09-08- 11:46 AM
Big Question, does SDOE check for the same startup.ppf files for online compatibility. I don't think it checks it, but does check the actual airfoil files? Is this correct? You are right Jerry, it checks first, if the line is already there it will not add it again. IP: Logged |
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