Toasting Aces

To all the more experienced players of LOP: I now realize this is going to take some time--no a lot of time to understand how use this simulator. I'm thinking to self: "What have I've gotten myself into?" :noexpression: That being said, I have a few questions. Start > LOFC2 > Options > Controls The left column lists various Actions. Okay, I'm gonna have to learn all this stuff. The next column lists Keyboard Shortcuts. This is where I have questions. What am I doing when it says: LShift? Does this mean I have to press the keys for the letter "L" and "Shift" at the same time? What about LAlt? What about LWin? Now what does it mean or what do I have to do when I see the "+" sign in between various keys or combination of keys? Do I have to actually press the "+" sign or just know that I have to press the next key or key combination? Okay, now I have an Hp Pavilion notebook computer. The keyboard does not show the following keys: num/ , num* , so what do I do if I need to use these key combinations? Also, in addition to question #5, is num/ a combination of [num and /] , and is num* a combination of [num and *] ? Where is the "num" key on my keyboard? It's not there. I do see a key called "num lk" which I believe is the "numlock" key. It appears under the scroll key, but it is a "fn" key, which means I have to press the "fn" key to access it. What do I do here when I need to use this key? "NumEnter" where is this key? In the Aircraft line: What does Free Camera mean? How is it used? What about the mouse? When it says: "Mouse X" , "Mouse Y" , or Mouse "Z" ? (For example, when I'm looking at: A-10A, Axis Commands.) What does "Clear Category" do? What does "Save Profile As" do? What does "Load Profile" do? Explain the Modifiers: 'Add" , "Clear" , "Default" , "Axis Assign" , "Axis Tune" , and "FF Tune" do? General Comment: It seems much more appropriate when going through a basic lesson for a new player that they can practice immediately what has just been taught. There needs to be a separate space to do this and only what was just learned from a lesson. To throw the new player into the deep waters of this game program, meaning understanding the key shortcuts (like above), is a bit over-the-top for the new player. Had the developers of this program felt it was first necessary for a player to learn these various codes before starting to play the game then they should have started with that as lesson one. Apparently this game is quite complicated, and I realize it's going to really take some time before I can appreciate the actual use of the game itself. I've also noticed that there is a FC2 Printed Manual now available in the US from Amazon.com. I wonder if this is more accurate and clear in teaching new players about this game program? I wonder whether a lot of the things I'm about to learn is close to learning how to fly various aircraft in real life? Much of what is presented here about the HUD and various avionics, so far, seems like the actual reality? TA

Okay, I've watched Lesson 1 with the A10 Thunderbolt....... Now, I wanna practice some of the stuff in that lesson. And, since it is a video and not a trac, I could not press ESC to try out what is being discussed. I went to the main menu. I tried to start a mission. Wound up watching a helicopter the first time. The second time I tried, I think I got shot down, then saw than darn helicopter again. Don't worry when I figure this thing out, I'm gonna get even: you'll see! But I've got some questions now: What keys are for my control stick? I don't have a separate control stick. Do I need to purchase something like a hand control or something? You know those things with the buttons on some kind of joy stick. I don't know from these things. But I'm gonna find out. (LOL) I tried pressing "Quick Start" just to get into the cockpit of the A10 Thunderbolt and fly it around in open air. But I thinks I started a mission or something. How do I just get to fly and practice in the open air without doing a mission? Look, it's been a long work night for me. I had about an hour to get on with this training and try it out. What do I do now? TA

To Nomdeplume: Good heavens to Murg-a-troid! I just played the first lesson video! Yippie yie oh kie aye! [Hey, I might of spelled that incorrectly. But I sure you get the feeling of my success at finding a video and playing it.] Now I've got to study this stuff. Seems like it will take some time to learn. Wow, it's so real! This took all day long. I must have spent close to nine hours today with this forum. All the efforts I've made, finally gets me to the end zone. In your recent post Nomdeplume, I figured out how to find and play the video. However, for now, I'm exhausted. Over and out. TA

To Nomdeplume: I spent several hours yesterday on this forum, and I am short on time to immediately follow your recent requested info. I will attempt to pass along the information to you in the near future. That is if I can successfully figure out exactly how to do it. Believe it or not, I am able to follow a lot of what you're recent post talks about. Although, some of the stuff is still a bit over my head. I will make time soon.

To Nomdeplume: Please explain what you mean by system-wide OGV playing capability? And, when you say: "Otherwise, you should definitely be able to view them directly." How do you mean that I should definitely be able to view them directly? Directly from what? from the file itself? from my Windows Media Player? from the program's training module? I don't understand what you are referring to here when you say I should be able to view them directly? Please explain what you mean? Thanks. Waiting your reply. TA

To Nomdeplume: Well first, I need you to tell me specifically how do I get this videolan media player to work with the LOFC2 training videos? What do I need to do specifically to make this happen? Secondly, this videolan seems to have identified other playable movie files which I've saved in other files on my computer all ready. And I didn't ask it to do so. So, what is up with that? Why has it automatically done this without me telling it to do so? Waiting on your reply. TA

To Distiler: I have tried to do this. But your advice here proves unsuccessful. On Wednesday 28 July 10, I found the download on my computer. I used my computer's search tool to do this. As you instructed, I double clicked the file: Fighter_Weapons_School_Video_EN.exe Also: as I was instructed, I closed all other applications on my computer. Note: I take it that when you say the file is "an executable" you mean that you can just double click it to run the file itself. Please confirm your definition of: "Executable." So, next I see: Welcome to the LockOn FC2 Training Video Fighter Weapons School Setup Wizard. and I'm getting the feeling I'm getting somewhere now. I'm told: "This will install (by running this wizard) LOFC2 Training Video Fighter Weapons School on your computer." So, I continue with: Next > Install > Finish. And it just takes about one minute. (Unlike downloading the video file which took a bit more than an hour.) Then what do I do? > Double Click on LOFC2 Icon to Start the Game. > Training > Start and there's a problem: "Launcher.exe ... needs to close." A report is sent off to Microsoft and all the program itself shuts down. Great, here I am climbing up the "training flagpole" and there's grease at the top! And I slides all the way back down to the ground. Yuck! All I wanna do is get in the cockpit and fly. But I can't figure out why its so darn difficult to see the Fighter_Weapons_School_Video. What am I not doing right here? Is this just a setup wizard for the other training videos? (I just thought of that.) Or is this an actual video itself? And if it is then how come I can't watch it? Distiler: I'm waiting on your reply. TA

TooCool: In this thread you'll find directions for getting the patch if you still need it. If you go to the Mission Editor > Help > About you'll see the version number there. TA

I understand this now. But if I had known this--the need for getting the current training videos and the complexities of downloading, installing and viewing them--beforehand then I may not have purchased the game. Nevertheless, I did purchase this simulator game, and I did engage in a quest and objective to understand how to do the things in which we've been discussing herein. I do have an opinion about my overall experience thus far with getting training for this simulator program. However, I've earlier in this post requested an email contact from someone, preferably a developer of this program, at Ubisoft. In my opinion, some of the things I wish to discuss with them are best kept out of this forum. KnightHawk, "yes" I agree "this is just the way the program is." But things in the future should and must correct for this situation. Thank you for your commentary on this situation. Many of the things which you've shared are indeed enlightening and helpful. See you soon in the virtual skies! TA

Yup! You've got that right. Again, the game developers must make a better plan on training new players of this game. Things like this need to be given much more careful attention. A new player, who's just purchased this game, must not be put through such an extensive quest for further information and clarification. I just happen to be the type of person who sees things to its conclusion. I got started with this whole discussion without expecting it would be so involved. But just because it got involved doesn't justify aborting the mission to get proper answers. Humm, that will be like not protecting my wing man if he gets in danger. I will not let that happen! Yes, I am aware of that. The need for updates is something which is the way of this computer beast in general. However, the developers of this program need to be keenly aware of this as a possibility and plan for that accordingly. This is what has disappointed me greatly. With regard to updates, a patch for a program is expected every now and then. And, in my opinion, it should be the same for the training portion of the program too. But if the developers of this program know that updates would cause a problem with prior training modules built into the original release of the program itself than they need to make a better plan for training their new players and avoid including a training option in the main menu of this game program (or any other similar game program). Matter of fact, it would be much much better for them to Beta test a program and get rid of all the bugs before actually releasing it to market. But this seems not to be the trend in the business game industry. And that is somewhat sad. It seems the need for sales in the game market is greater than the need to provide quality games in the first place. And this should not be the case, but it seems to be the reality.

In response to your statement: "...(because you do not understand computers that well, this might be harder for you and who needs the headache?)..." Oh, I really do agree about not needing the headache. I don't need the headache at all. But in response, I do have a better grasp about computers than I have anytime indicated herein. However, not on a level of expert, not on the level of technician, not on the level of developer, but on a business experience level to an intermediate degree of understanding. So, following some of the directions, which I've been given from more experienced players like Nomdeplume and develpers like Distiler, are followable to some degree for me. I just wish that sometimes they'd be more specific in their instructions, which would make it easier for me to follow what they want me to do. I hope that makes some sense to you. When you say: "...just watch them on the net to learn how to fly the sim. While watching take notes of things you want to try in the sim and then try them (Even if you install the videos, you will still have to take notes, drop out of the video, start up a flight and try it - so nothing lost)." That does make sense, and I am planning on doing just that. But I am , as all ready explained, still not going to "drop-the-ball" on what they've instructed. They've got me started on something of a strategy to get these training videos into my computer. Well, I took the time to get the first basic training for: The LockOn FC2 Training Video Fighter Weapons School (Gee, that sounds so official, doesn't it?) And I want to take their strategy to its conclusion. This way I'll have learned something.

Yes, this is what should be happening. But, apparently it is not what the new player is lead to expect. This both is disappointing to me and is not happening. Why not? Yes, I did see those postings KinghtHawk. You may be wondering why I've not visited these links to youtube yet. The reason is simply this: 1. Instructions have been given to me by both Distiler and Nomdeplume on how to get the training videos into my computer for viewing from apparently the game itself. 2. I am not the type of person to avoid learning about new things. Matter of fact, I welcome new learning experiences, even if they're difficult to wrap you head around. 3. It is necessary for those involved in this thread to understand the difficulties which new players are facing in following the directions of those in the know, like Distiler and Nomdeplume. In my efforts to make them aware of my experiences, they (and others) will hopefully become better trainers. In my professional opinion, this is both necessary and instructive to all involved herein. I may make some time to visit these suggested youtube sites in the near future. However, I am not planning on "dropping the ball" on the issue of following their prior instructions regarding downloading the training video(s) and getting to watch them. They need to know what new players are experiences from their instructions. And "yes" I understand that it will probably be easier to see things on youtube then to use up my computer's memory space to store any particular training video(s). But these training files can always be erased at some future point in time. How much stuff I'll have to erase--I don't know. But I hope when the time comes it will be an easy process to follow. It just bothers me that I cannot--to this point in time--get to see the training program which I've all ready downloaded to my computer to either play from the main menu of the LOFC2 program itself or outside of the main program using my WMP. Again, I'm not "dropping the ball" on this one. Once I start learning about something, I want to understand it. This way, if something arises in the future related to the same type of learning experience things will be easier. For example, once I learn how to use the Vic-1.1.1-win32.exe (whatever it is all about), if I encounter another video that cannot play upon my WMP then, at least, I'll know of an alternative media player, which I now understand is a generic one, to play it upon. This is "why?" I do not want to "drop-the-ball." For I found out about something now which may be useful to me in the future for something similar or something else. When you said: "The good news for you is that you do not need to have the videos installed inside the game to use them." I understand that now. But, what the developers of this game need to understand is all the frustrations which I have pointed out in this discussion thread. The developers could have avoided it all by anticipating that these problems would occur to a new player when they provided an option on the program's main menu for training.

May that person, whoever that someone is, celebrate their efforts with champagne and chocolate covered strawberries, cause those efforts will be most appreciated by new players to this simulator game. However, what good are they if I can't play them? And why can't I get them to play in my Windows Media Player? This program has been developed for the Windows XP platform (hope I'm saying this right). It is disappointing to me to find out that I can't just play what I've downloaded as a basic training video (see above) in my WMP. For now, as described above, I have to learn how to use an external player to hopefully get to see these training videos. The inability to take over from what you've indicated is a "trak" is a much advanced training concept. One which the new player is probably not even ready for anyway. So, losing this ability in a video is not a real loss to a new player. Perhaps learning about "traks" later on will be helpful to a more seasoned player, but not initially. Note to the Creators or Developers of this program: Please send me a private email with a way to communicate directly with you outside of this forum. I specifically want to speak to those people working with Ubisoft regarding the development of this simulator game. For I have a few things which I want to say to you about my background. In addition, some of my comments are probably best left outside of this forum. Thank you.

To KnightHawk: Your comments are well taken, and in no way am I reading an insult. It's nice to see that you can feel my frustrations. And, I am much disappointed in Ubisoft about this matter. I am very busy in my life as a business person, and I treated myself to this game. I am not an avid gamer with very much experience, so all this stuff is mostly new to me. It has been an intense learning experience for me. Thank you for attempting to clear up some of the confusion. Here I will try and comment on a few of your suggestions, etc. My advise to you KnightHawk is to listen carefully to Distiler. He is a pro at this stuff. And if you've read through some prior posts then you will not have a problem installing LOP, LOFC2. I find that Distiler's instuctions are mostly helpful. What is hard for me sometimes is understanding some of either the abbreviations used in the commentary--It would be helpful if abbreviations are defined before using them. Which will help get around this problem. Better yet, would be a reference page of abbreviations which can be accessed at anytime while reading this forum.--or the assumptions responders will make regarding the working knowledge and understanding of the new user. For example, when I am told to follow certain directions, with my limited experience, then I will rather be told exactly what to do step-by-step, with images of what I will see in the process, than to be told to just do the instructions being given.

Okay, I've installed this thing called: videolan.org/vic And, like everything else its got a way to work with it. What I need for you to do is tell me step by step how to make it work with my downloaded LOFC2 Training Video Fighter Weapons School video. This whole thing has been such a lengthy process!

To Distiler: Why am I still having problems with seeing the video which has just been downloaded? This process has been totally time consuming for me, and this game program should have worked properly right out of the box. Am I annoyed: Yes! Also: what does it mean when you say? "You confuse me, language barriers for the win!" This site has the videos, but I cannot play what I've downloaded. Do I need some other video playing program? I have Windows Media Player, but I cannot play the video training which I recently downloaded. Why not? http://lockon.co.uk/index.php?scr=products&end_pos=135 Download and execute those files and voilá all done!

To Distiler: A quick update: I have much to say, but for now I need to be very brief. It's been a long evening for me, and I must get some rest. However, I have followed your instructions from 07-26-2010, 02:36 PM (I do not know what is your time zone.) I have activated my game. I have downloaded Fighter Weapons School Video I have downloaded Patch 1.2.1 for LOFC2 I have started the FC2 game. I did close all other open programs. I did install the LOFC2 Training Video Fighter Weapons School on my computer. I did start the FC2 game. I did click > Training > Start Then there's the Launcher.exe problem...needs to close. I tried to use my Windows Media Player to both find and play this video. I cannot get into this video using my WMP. I tried to find the file > ...My Documents \ Downloads I cannot seem to get the video to play. I did, however, see a folder with some kind of "still life" training shots. I don't know what to do from here?

Dude this is almost comical... both the simulator and the training videos will be installed to the HARD DISK not to the dvd...the dvd is just the original container, you can't modify it, in fact you can store it in it's case when FC2 is already installed. Yes, Distiler, this does make sense. I did not give enough credit for what actually happens during installation. Indeed the program is transferred from its original container--the disk--to my hard disk. This apparently means the folders have transferred too. Yeah, no we're getting somewhere. And, "yes", I realize I can put the disks back into the product packaging. Now, I got to work on the other stuff you've said I need to do. I'll report back to you soon. Thanks. PS: I'm glad you're getting a laugh here in there with me. But look I'm really trying to both understand this stuff and do what I'm told.

To Nomdeplume: Thank you for your most recent comment. There's no time no for me to proceed with further efforts to solve this problem. However, I will be back later to do so. For now, a new comment and a simple question: New comment: What concerns me is when I download a training video, whether it will find its way to the FC2 disk in my disk drive. I don't think this will occur simply because I don't know if the disk is a DVD-RW. My suspicion is that it is a DVD-Read Only or DVD-V [i'm not sure what the correct tech spec' is to describe what I'm saying now about the status of the disk itself. But I know you get the idea of what I'm writing about] For this reason, I don't think further efforts to download the training video(s) will save properly to the game program itself on disk, which is where the actual folders reside. I will report more on this later, but this is what I expect will occur when I attempt to download the training video(s). Unless they will automatically directed to and saved to my hard drive. We'll see, more on this later. Simple question: When you respond to my post and you quote parts of it, I am wondering how you get to select only that portion of my post writing which you want to quote and respond to without making multiple replies. For example, you may quote one item and respond to it. And then after making your response, you quote something else from my post. However, you're still within your same response window. I see the little selections on he lower right of a post, but I'm not sure how you're doing things piece by piece in the same response window. How are you doing this? Please be specific. I can't spend much more time on this now, but I do have other things to say regarding your recent post. More later. Good day.

I think what you mean above is this: When I go to the download page, I remember seeing about 11 or 12 different downloads. Not sure, I'll have to count them again. But I do think the first one is the actual program FC2. And this is what Distiler and you are telling me not to download. Please confirm that I've got this correctly. The other downloads seem to be the training your both talking about. __________ At work yesterday, I got to thinking about this whole situation. And it seems that if I purchased this program as a download online maybe things would have worked out differently. So, I began to consider just returning the program disks to the retailer who sold them to me. And then went to the website for the program and purchased it from there. I have not done this yet. But if things don't work out in the near future then I may just do that as a possible solution to the training issue we've been working on. I am quite annoyed with the software which I purchased. Since it should have been more complete off the shelve. And the instructions in the operations manual of the program are not the best. Out of the box, one should simply put in the disks and get started without problems with this program. I assure you, I will be commenting upon this directly to the company soon. For now, this is my progress on this issue. Over and out.

Distiler: I appreciate your assistance here. I really do. And I am trying to do exactly what you and others are telling me to do. This is kind of a highly involved course for me. There are things you folks are discussing which are not totally familiar to me. But I am a quick study, and I'm learning as I go. I have not--and--the attempts I made to follow prior directions--to download what I now understand are program files:setup.exe, setup-1.bin and setup-2.bin. When I tried doing things, it didn't work anyway. So, not to worry. You say: "Just download the training files." Okay, I will do this, but where are they? I have to review what you've instructed in prior posts again. I'll report back to you soon. Please define what it means when you type: XD or PD.

Update on my progress: To Winz: My use of text color was intended to make it somewhat easier for readers. I did not realize it would make reading more difficult, and I will not do this in the future. However, please realize other readers may feel differently. The forum provides an option for text color, and seems to allow use probably to break up the effort of reading text of the same color constantly. If I will use a different text color in any future posts then I will be mindful of its application and use it very sparingly for emphasis only. Thank you for your comment. To Distiler: Re: 07-25-2010, 01:40AM I did follow your recommendation to the LOFC2 software download page. At this page, I located 12 different possible files for the first download. Specifically, for Setup.Exc there are 4 USA files, for Setup-1.Bin there are 4 USA files, and for Setup-2.Bin there are 4 USA files. That's just for this particular download from the eleven possible training software downloads at this site. So, I did the following: >Double clicked on Setup.Exc > FTP1 >Setup(5).Exc appears in Firefox drop down list. >Right Click > Open >OK to executable file >Publisher could not be verified. >Run >Please insert Disk 1 and Click OK. Note: my FC2 disk is in my computer's disk drive. Note: I discovered from my re-reading a part of the instruction manual for this program, under Installation, how to locate the following folders: Setup.Exc, Setup-1.Bin, and Setup-2.Bin. These folders are located on the FC2 disk itself. >I now click OK. Now I get this message: The file "Setup(5)-1.bin" could not be located in "C:\Documents and Settings\...\Downloads". Please insert the correct disk or select another folder. This makes me consider doing one of the following: Option 1: Should I insert the Modern Air Combat disk into my drive and try again? or Option 2: Should I make a special folder on my computer's hard disk? And, if this is what is necessary, then I think I have to go to My Computer and make a folder to hold the download files described above. But I'm not too sure how to do this. What do you think?

For those replying to my postings, here's an update: I went back to my manual (the short booklet which came with the program). I wanted to see if I can reinstall FC2 (which, again, I've done successfully). However, during the process I was monitoring whether the installer would ask me for my serial number to activate this program. And, nowhere during this process does it request this serial number to activate the program. Ah ha! See, this is most probably, in my opinion, part of the problem which I've been experiencing with getting the training videos. Furthermore, when I clicked on Training in FC2 and I try to Start the module, I get the message from Microsoft (explained in a prior post) and the program is then shut down after I send the error report. Well, I must get some rest now. But I'll be back at this problem later on today. At which point, I plan on following some of the most current advice provided. I'll keep those of you watching posted. Have a nice day!

To my piloting friends: Thank you for entering responses. Actually I'd be lost without a place to go to ask my questions, and I'm happy to see that a few of you have made some comments or suggestions. Distiler, I will be checking into what you've most recently suggested. It sounds helpful. I will keep you posted as to what occurs. Nomdeplume, your explanation about bit torrents is a reasonable argument worth further consideration. I remember when I first heard about bit torrents, I did some reading on it. And I encountered some cautionary material about it. Because of that, I just avoided further review. However, what you've posted seems worth further interest. When I have some more time to learn about this protocol (hope that's the right term) then I will re look the current info on bit torrents. For now, I just wanna get my Lock On Flaming Cliffs 2 program working. General Comment: It seems the game program really utilizes authentic terminology for actually flying aircrafts. I recognize some of the terms used. Is this program an actual training with flight simulators? I can't believe it, but this program seems to be the real thing. Comments on this perception are welcome. Something which I thought about while at work yesterday: When I purchased the program and opened it, I found two discs. Thanks to you folks at this forum, I understand that FC2 needs to run on top of (so-to-speak) MAC. And, I understand now that I need to be playing the FC2. Again, thanks for pointing this out. Now I read the manual which came with the two discs. And I just realized that I never got to enter my: PC LOCK-ON PLAT REG CODE. So, I got to thinking why not? Now the manual says: For Lock On: Flaming Cliffs 2 installation you must have installed either Lock On: Modern Air Combat (which I have done) or Lock On: Flaming Cliffs. Then it says: Insert the Lock On Flaming Cliffs 2 disk in your DVD drive and allow the automatic installer to begin. Then follow the on-screen instructions. Here's the what I realized: I don't ever remember entering the PC LOCK-ON PLAT REG CODE. And I'm wondering: "Why not?" Yet, the installer did in fact put the programs onto my computer with the icons for my desktop. So, I am confused here. I wonder, if I had been asked to enter the REG CODE then perhaps all of this problem of getting the training videos to work would not be such a problem. Ubisoft should have been more responsible in providing better start up instructions. They cannot expect their new customers to have such a higher level of understanding about the things which we all have been discussing in this forum. In my prior attempts to follow some of the great advice some of you have provided. Here's what happened: I did download some previously suggested information. My Firefox program listed the downloads. I hit run to run the download. Then I had to extract the files from a zipped folder. (I have a vague idea about what all this stuff is and what to do.) Then I get to see some folders. I open up the Movie folder and nothing is there, except for this message: "Place video files here." or some similar comment. This left me confused and frustrated. But I had to take care of business, and after several hours of wrestling with this problem--I welcomed the break. Well, that's my most recent update on my progress with this problem. Now, I must try some of the new suggestions. I will keep you all posted on my progress. And to think when I was at the store that all I wanted to do was treat myself to a game, buy it, plug it in and play. Oh my gosh, I feel like I'm back in the United States Air Force. The paperwork and red tape! The procedures! What have I got myself into? I thinks I'm gonna really be a fighter pilot now: Oh boy! I'm excited! I've got to get past this problem. Let me find some time and follow some of your recent instructions. Over and out!

To Distiler: MAC = Modern Air Combat This is one of the two discs which came with the program I purchased for Lock On Platinum. I think what I need to learn is how to put all the parts into a folder once I've downloaded them. This is all new to me. So, I hope those of you who are responding to my concerns understand how frustrating this can be. I am surprised that the company which sells this program has allowed such a start up problem to exist. But I am dealing with things best I can. Bit torrents is a subject which I've encountered in the past, but I've avoided being involved because of the many legal questions associated with it. I'm not comfortable using that technology until I know it is officially legal. In any event, what do I do once Firefox has downloaded the file? How do I get the file into the right folder?