constant new expert-abbreviations/ED statistics of their playerbase?

[D4n]

Dear ED. In the future, please consider forming posts about new features to be clearly understandable for non real-world F-16-pilots/ non [that-other-well-known-3-letter-simulator-that-I-better-not-mention-here]-pilots and consider ceasing usage of super-confusing and DCS-community-unknown terms like some never-mentioned-before "TDOA" mode (HTS), which isn't even mentioned in Chucks insane 738-pages F-16 guide! (positively insane ofc.). (in this case regarding the legendary mighty DCS F-16, which probably countless DCS players from all real-world F-16 operator-countries own. "TDOA" example from this post.)

Thank you.

Edited February 9, 2022 by D4n

[drPhibes]

Ok, so you want ED to stop referring to future features by their actual names because you don't know what they mean yet? What do you suggest that they do instead? Dumb it down to "the clicky-go-boom-boom-switch" or similar nonsense?

[Northstar98]

Would be better to just have a glossary so new players can learn the terms. But in most cases a simple internet search will find what you're looking for.

But from that post, in order of appearance:

• IDM: Improved Data Modem - essentially a data link system that allows for targets to be data linked by JTAC/FACs to the aircraft (unsure of other features, someone correct me).
• SPI: Sensor Point of Interest - essentially a reference/target point, it will be designated by 1 sensor or via the HUD/JHMCS, and other sensors/weapons will slave to/use as a target point for weapons delivery.
• HTS: AN/ASQ-213 HARM Targetting System (we have/should have the AN/ASQ-213 R7 version) - an ELINT/ESM pod for detecting, locating and classifying RADARs, chiefly utilised for providing targetting for the AGM-88 HARM (High speed Anti-Radiation Missile), hence its name.
• TDOA: Time Difference Of Arrival - uses true-range multilateration to find the location of a point in space, using the difference of respective time of arrivals of a signal to known stations, the wiki page gives a much better explanation than I can provide.

In this case, it's used to provide better resolving of the location of RADARs using multiple aircraft data linked together.

• SEAD: Suppression of Enemy Air Defenses (pretty self-explanatory)
• PDLT: Primary Data Link Track - this is a data link track that can be selected on the HSD and displayed in the HUD/JHMCS.
• CAS: Close Air Support - Integrated air action/strikes against enemy ground targets close to friendly ground forces (integrated in the sense that CAS requires integration with said friendly ground forces, to avoid firing on friendlies).
• HSD: Horizontal Situation Display (should be pretty self-explanatory)
• EXP: Expand (essentially zoom in on something specific).

And in case you're wondering what acronyms I just used in my explanation:

• JTAC: Joint Terminal Attack Controller - US armed forces term for a FAC, primarily directs aircraft performing air strikes from a forward position (involving designating targets, steering, and preventing striking of friendlies)
• FAC: Forward Air Controller - see above.
• HUD: Head-Up Display - fairly sure we all know what this is.
• JHMCS: Joint Helmet-Mounted Cuing System, a US Helmet Mounted Display (HMD) - kinda like a HUD, but projected onto a helmet.
• ELINT: ELectronic INTelligence - intelligence gathering of noncommunication electronic systems (such as RADARs), using electronic equipment.
• ESM: Electronic Support Measures - in this context falling under ELINT, but focused on detecting, locating and classifying electronic emissions (in this case, RADARs). A RADAR Warning Receiver (RWR) for example, falls under an ESM/ELINT system.

Edited February 19, 2022 by Northstar98
true-range multilateration is probably a better description for TDOA mode, actually added what the HTS acronym stands for

[Rissala]

1 hour ago, D4n said:

Dear ED. In the future, please consider forming posts about new features to be clearly understandable for non real-world F-16-pilots/ non [that-other-well-known-3-letter-simulator-that-I-better-not-mention-here]-pilots and consider ceasing usage of super-confusing and DCS-community-unknown terms like some never-mentioned-before "TDOA" mode (HTS), which isn't even mentioned in Chucks insane 738-pages F-16 guide! (positively insane ofc.). (in this case regarding the legendary mighty DCS F-16, which probably countless DCS players from all real-world F-16 operator-countries own. "TDOA" example from this post.)

Thank you.

 

ED has even begun labelling weapons and other stuff.
I got a very good idea of what different stuff means just based off of Matt Wagners videos on Youtube and the "Training" missions found with each module.
If you got issues, just ask!!! There are lots of people willing to help in lots of different channels.

All it takes is a little effort. By contrast, for ED to start explaining literally everything for you in-game is a massive task and not practical.

TL;DR: ED only really provides us DCS. It is up for the user to learn how to use it. This is how I feel most of the community approaches all flight sims. (the absolute #1 best amazing and exciting thing about flight simulation is the learning process IMO)

[D4n]

52 minutes ago, drPhibes said:

Ok, so you want ED to stop referring to future features by their actual names because you don't know what they mean yet? What do you suggest that they do instead? Dumb it down to "the clicky-go-boom-boom-switch" or similar nonsense?

No, just a written out term of the abbreviation right behind the abbreviation for example.

 

Thanks Northstar98, you're a hero.

Really, it seems to me that ED is assuming 90-98% of the DCS F-16 players to be real world airforce personnel.

Edited February 9, 2022 by D4n

[Vakarian]

12 minutes ago, D4n said:

 

Really, it seems to me that ED is assuming 90-98% of the DCS F-16 players to be real world airforce personnel.

 

No, they just assume that the playerbase is willing to put teeny-tiny bit of effort in to learn stuff. This is a simulation after all, you won't get everything on a silver platter. Use what you have between your ears

[peachmonkey]

39 minutes ago, Vakarian said:

No, they just assume that the playerbase is willing to put teeny-tiny bit of effort in to learn stuff. This is a simulation after all, you won't get everything on a silver platter. Use what you have between your ears

finding the proper abbreviation in the context of the text is the challenge, not the lack of effort. The centralized location of all related abbreviations is a wise approach.

[Mars Exulte]

3 hours ago, D4n said:

No, just a written out term of the abbreviation right behind the abbreviation for example.

 

Thanks Northstar98, you're a hero.

Really, it seems to me that ED is assuming 90-98% of the DCS F-16 players to be real world airforce personnel.

 

  There's a fascinating technological advancement in recent hears, know as a ISE (Internet Search Engine), that can help with this. It's fantastic, has a box you can type questions in and it spits out all kinds of info, like some kind of... knowledge genie.

 

 Also, starting next summer at least 15% of new products hitting the market will come with a thingie called a ''manual'', containing all the information required for proper usage! It's fantastic, it's revolutionary, it takes all the guesswork out of life! Your days of staring angrily at a plethora of buttons wondering which one to push first are OVER! It makes even the most complicated task so simple even a caveman could do it (provided said caveman received a course on basic literacy. Disclaimer : cavemen are not real and definitely not included)

 

 

Edited February 9, 2022 by Mars Exulte

[D4n]

Issue with search engine is that 1 google search costs electricity equal to a light bulb shining for one hour... Ehm, on the other hand I just read that google is using 100% renewable energy? Is that too good to believe?  sadly ecosia engine searches still not match up to the quality of google

 

And DCS F-16 still only contains an early access guide that lacks mentioning of TDOA (at least the one from DCS website), not a manual, Zhukov

[Buschwick]

1 hour ago, D4n said:

Issue with search engine is that 1 google search costs electricity equal to a light bulb shining for one hour...

Well how much energy was consumed by logging in and starting this conversation, then for somebody else to google it, then reply a copy/paste from said google search to help out, then  for you to log in to get the information you were missing, then sign in again to reply with how much energy a google search uses, for the whole forum to log in to read that reply?

Edit: ...in a forum about a game that's not being played on a green computer by any stretch of the imagination

Edited February 10, 2022 by Buschwick

[Mars Exulte]

5 hours ago, Buschwick said:

Well how much energy was consumed by logging in and starting this conversation, then for somebody else to google it, then reply a copy/paste from said google search to help out, then  for you to log in to get the information you were missing, then sign in again to reply with how much energy a google search uses, for the whole forum to log in to read that reply?

Edit: ...in a forum about a game that's not being played on a green computer by any stretch of the imagination

 

WON'T SOMEBODY PLEEEEEEEASE THINK OF THE CHILDREN?!!!! D=

Edited February 10, 2022 by Mars Exulte

[Tom Kazansky]

TDOA ist a good example. You won't find it even here

https://www.f-16.net/index.php?module=pagesetter&tid=58

[Nealius]

15 hours ago, drPhibes said:

Ok, so you want ED to stop referring to future features by their actual names because you don't know what they mean yet? What do you suggest that they do instead? Dumb it down to "the clicky-go-boom-boom-switch" or similar nonsense?

A simple (___) breaking up the acronym shall suffice. This is not only common sense in professional writing but typically a requirement for publication.